by Rachel Lit, Stanford University Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The benefits of meditation have long been touted: relief from stress and anxiety, and an increased ability to focus. Stanford looks at how meditation prompts our body and brain to make these adjustments. What happens in the brain? “Meditation is an intentional practice to cultivate awareness using concentration,”...
by Adrienne Berard, Pennsylvania State University Credit: Marco Verch/Creative Commons As Valentine’s Day approaches, the mind naturally turns to love—and chocolate. To learn more about chocolate and its effects on us, we spoke with Joshua Lambert, professor of food science at Penn State. Lambert’s research focuses on diet, specifically adopting dietary practices to prevent cancer,...
By Akanksha Singh, BDS Reviewed by Aimee Molineux We consume different types of fat through different types of foods. Some are harmful, and some are necessary for a healthy life. Image Credit: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock Types of fats Unsaturated fats: Unsaturated fats are considered to be healthy fats. These have various benefits, such as lowering blood cholesterol levels, improving...
by University of California – Riverside Participants at the UCR Brain Game Center play a working memory training game. Credit: Audrey Carrillo, Brain Game Center, UC Riverside. If you are skilled at playing puzzles on your smartphone or tablet, what does it say about how fast you learn new puzzles, or, more broadly, how well...
by Jacqueline Mitchell, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center FAHFA biosynthesis is increased in AG4OX SVF adipocytes and is sensitive to fluorophosphonate inhibitors. a–d, Biosynthesis of 9-PAHSA (a), 9-POHSA (b), 9-OAHSA (c) and 9-C17:1HSA (d) in WT and AG4OX SVF adipocytes incubated with 0.1% DMSO (vehicle (Veh)), increasing concentrations of 9-HSA (a–c) or both C17:1 and...
by University of Geneva Pancreatic beta cell under electronic microscopy. The white circles visible in the centre of the cell correspond to fat storage droplets. Credit: © UNIGE – laboratoire Maechler With nearly 10% of the world’s population affected, type 2 diabetes is a major public health issue. An excessively sedentary lifestyle and excessively caloric...
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers have shown that psilocybin–the active chemical in “magic mushrooms”– still works its antidepressant-like actions, at least in mice, even when the psychedelic experience is blocked. The new findings suggest that psychedelic drugs work in multiple ways in the brain and it...
Squatting is a popular exercise that targets the muscles in the legs, lower back, and core. It can help people strengthen their muscles and burn fat. However, performing a squat without learning the proper form can cause injury. A wide range of cardiovascular and strength exercises can help people improve their overall health and fitness....
Propolis is a resin that bees create. It contains a mixture of bee saliva, beeswax, and substances from plants and trees. Propolis may have some health benefits for humans, but more large-scale studies are necessary. Bees use propolis, or “bee glue,” as a sealant. Historically, humans have used it topically or as an oral supplement....
by IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute) Credit: CC0 Public Domain People living with a patient undergoing an intensive weight loss treatment also benefit from this therapy. This has been demonstrated by a team of researchers from the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM-Hospital del Mar) along with doctors from Hospital del Mar and the...
