Raw honey may spell victory in the battle against antibiotic-resistant infections. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have identified a group of 13 lactic-acid bacteria that are found in fresh honey. The bacteria produce many antimicrobial compounds. They were tested successfully on some severe bugs including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus… Continue reading A Sweet Solution to Dangerous Infections
Author: Jane Farrell
Many Older People Not Getting Help They Need
Eighteen million people – nearly half of all older adults in the U.S. – have difficulty with daily activities or get help with them, new research shows. Investigators from the University of Michigan and the Urban Institute looked at statistics from a national sample of 8,245 older adults enrolled in Medicare. The subjects took part… Continue reading Many Older People Not Getting Help They Need
Genetic Mutations and Skin Cancer
Researchers have found that millions of skin cancers may be caused by a combination of a genetic mutation and ultraviolet light. A study by investigators from the Stanford University School of Medicine found that the mutation occurs in a gene called KNSTRN, which helps cells divide their DNA during cell division. KNSTRN is an oncogene… Continue reading Genetic Mutations and Skin Cancer
The Healthy-Vision Plan
Although we don’t worry as much about eye health as we do about, say, heart disease, it’s still crucial to look after our vision, especially as we grow older. The SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health suggests doing the following to help your sight stay as sharp as possible: Eat a Healthy Diet… Continue reading The Healthy-Vision Plan
The Newest Treatments for Psoriasis
People who suffer from psoriasis know how aggravating it can be, but treatments for the persistent skin condition are improving. “As we better understand the disease, researchers know more about what specific factors to target in order to develop effective treatments,” Melinda L. McCord, M.D., a dermatologist at the Food and Drug Administration, told the… Continue reading The Newest Treatments for Psoriasis
Understanding How Ebola Works
A new study has expanded our understanding of Ebola, by discovering one way the deadly virus dodges the body’s defenses. The discovery, by researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine, provides an insight that could lead to new treatments for the terrifying virus. In their work, the investigators detailed how an Ebola protein, VP24,… Continue reading Understanding How Ebola Works
When Swelling Isn’t So Swell: Curbing Chronic Inflammation
By Dr. Mickey Barber Of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, chronic, low-level inflammation contributes to at least seven, including heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and kidney failure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). It is now widely believed that chronic inflammation that goes… Continue reading When Swelling Isn’t So Swell: Curbing Chronic Inflammation
A New Tool to Detect Atrial Fibrillation
Thanks to a new technology, a web camera can distinguish whether someone is suffering atrial fibrillation, a potentially serious heart condition.
A project by researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, showed that subtle changes in skin color can be used to detect the kind of uneven blood flow caused by atrial fibrillation. The technology was developed in a partnership between the university and Xerox.
The findings were published in the journal Heart Rhythm.
What Your Skin Says About Your Health
According to the National Institutes of Health, our skin is the body’s largest organ. While it protects the body, it also does things such as hold fluids in, keep microbes out, regulate body temperature, and more. While most people think of skin only in terms of beauty, but there’s a lot more to it.
“The way our skin looks says a lot about how healthy we are, believe it or not,” explains Dr. Sanjiv Saini of MD Dermatology, in Edgewater and Lexington Park, Maryland.
Volunteering is Healthy for Body as Well as Mind
Older people who volunteer are getting not only an emotional boost – it’s also benefiting their health.
A study led by researchers from the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Health services analyzed data from 73 studies over the past 45 years. The studies involved adults over 50 who were involved in formal volunteering roles.
Preventing Falls and Fractures
A simple thing can change your life—like tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor. If you fall, you could break a bone, like thousands of older men and women do each year. A broken bone might not sound awful. But, for older people, a break can be the start of more serious problems.
“Old” People Often Believe They Are in Bad Health
People who identify as “old” are likelier to have a worse view of their health than those of the same age who don’t think of themselves as old, according to new research.
The findings, from researchers at the University of Kent, UK, used data from a study, the European Social Survey. The respondents, who were 70 or older, were asked to rate their health.
Ready, Set – Change Your Health Habits!
We all know how crucial it is to make lifestyle changes to improve our health, but knowing that and actually changing a habit are two very different things. Here, the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, offers an easy-to-follow plan that will help you understand how best to make the move to healthier habits.
10 Natural Ways to Control Blood Pressure
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure (a systolic pressure — the top number — of 140 or above or a diastolic pressure — the bottom number — of 90 or above), you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down.
Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.
Here are 10 lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.
A Possible Improvement in Measuring Glucose Levels
Researchers have developed a new glucose measuring material that could eventually eliminate current measurement instruments such as test strips.
The material changes colors as glucose levels fluctuate, providing a much more precise readings than are now available. “There are significant limitations to current continuous glucose monitoring technologies,” said study leader Paul Braun, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois. “The systems available today all have some combination of limited sensitivity [and] limited precision.”
The Bug Battle Isn’t Over Yet
Editor’s note: Although most of us think of ticks and mosquitoes as primarily summer pests, sadly, they’re not. According to the University of Rhode Island Tick Encounter Center, some species of ticks, such as deer ticks, remain active as long as the temperature is above freezing. Still other kinds of ticks, such as the American dog tick and the Lone Star tick, just aren’t active in the cold weather, the Encounter Center experts say.
Finding the Right Fitness Trainer for You
As summer turns to fall, you might be thinking about moving your exercise routine indoors. Once the weather gets snowy and frigid, it’s harder to get out and hit the walking or bike trails. Or you may be thinking that you want to move beyond your current 30-minute treadmill routine at the gym. A fitness trainer may be the way to go.
A trainer can help you do everything from helping you use the gym equipment correctly to taking your workout to the next level. Here, from the National Institute on Aging, are some tips on how to find the best trainer for you.
A Good Way to Improve Nursing-Home Care
A “culture change” to a more residential atmosphere in nursing homes can lead to significant improvements in quality of care, according to a new study.
Researchers from Brown University examined the effect of culture change – an adjustment in nursing homes to allow a more flexible lifestyle for patients. Specifically, that means, among other adjustments, more resident choices in schedules and activities, and more input into care management from “front-line” workers who have close daily contact with residents.