Regular visits to the cinema, theatre or to museums could dramatically reduce the chances of becoming depressed in older age a new study has found. Researchers at University College London found a clear link between the frequency of ‘cultural engagement’ and the chances of someone over 50 developing depression. It is the first such study...
Year: <span>2018</span>
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Vegan diets are adding to malnutrition in wealthy countries
The cause is a chronic lack of essential micronutrients in the diet, such as vitamins and minerals. The effects of these nutritional deficiencies may not be seen immediately, but the consequences can be severe. They include lower resistance to disease, mental impairment and even death. Credit: mdbildes/ShutterstockHidden hunger affects over two billion people, globally. While...
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How to prevent and treat a cold
Stuffy or runny noses and sore throats are common signs of a cold and can make us feel miserable, but are there effective ways to treat a cold or even prevent catching one? Baylor College of Medicine’s Isabel Valdez offers her tips. Credit: CC0 Public Domain “The average cold is from a virus that triggers...
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The lowdown on low-fat milk (It’s all good)
Nutritionists also are learning that it has another important role that’s especially beneficial for dieters. Research has found that calcium can help suppress appetite and even lower your intake at the next meal, as well as help you retain muscle mass while losing fat. While other research has found that whole milk has health benefits...
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Low-Cost 3D-Printed Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients
Researchers and students at Michigan Technological University have used a 3D printer to create adaptive aids for arthritis patients, which could help people perform daily tasks such as opening doors or getting dressed. The devices are a small fraction of the cost of commercial alternatives, meet or improve on existing standards, and are customizable for...
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Could you have silent gallstones?
The gallbladder is a small organ in the upper right abdomen. It’s a reservoir for bile, the fluid made by the liver to aid digestion. Experts aren’t sure why, but gallstones form from imbalances in the substances that make up bile, such as cholesterol. You can have one or hundreds of gallstones, and they can...
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Groundbreaking app detects a child’s risk of asthma in just SIX yes or no questions
App – called PARS – asks about wheezing and if the child’s parents suffer Score of zero-to-15 estimates if the youngster will suffer by seven years old Avoids the need for blood tests, which are used to diagnose the condition A new smartphone app that has been developed by scientists can detect a child’s risk...
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Kotex tampons recalled across the US and Canada after they started ‘unraveling’
U by Kotex tampons recalled across the US and Canada after they started ‘unraveling’, getting stuck and causing women to seek medical attention to remove stray parts U by Kotex Sleek Tampons (Regular Absorbency) were launched in 2012 They were billed as a more ‘flexible’ upgrade to the standard On Tuesday, the company issued a...
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‘A loss for the rest of us’: An FDA approval is a boon for a drug maker, but could come at a major cost for patients
Vickie Moored can walk again. Her words don’t slur, her vision isn’t blurred, and she no longer collapses every day. The 65-year-old from Elkton, Va., says she has her life back, thanks to the stunning efficacy of a cheap, but unapproved, chemical called 3,4-DAP. It’s a medication she would not have but for the largesse...
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It’s not a shock: Better bandage promotes powerful healing
MADISON – A new, low-cost wound dressing developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers could dramatically speed up healing in a surprising way. The method leverages energy generated from a patient’s own body motions to apply gentle electrical pulses at the site of an injury. IMAGE: MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROFESSOR XUDON WANG FITS A NEW WOUND DRESSING...