The capacity of your memory is much higher than previously believed, researchers say. Salk Institute researchers and collaborators have achieved critical insight into the size of neural connections, putting the memory capacity of the brain far higher than common estimates. “This is a real bombshell in the field of neuroscience,” says Terry Sejnowski, Salk professor… Continue reading Researchers: Our Memory Capacity Is Extraordinary
Author: Jane Farrell
Why Are Bad Habits So Hard to Break?
We’ve all berated ourselves for our failure to break our bad habits. But as it turns out, there might be a neurological reason for that. New research by Duke University scientists suggests that a habit leaves a lasting mark on specific circuits in the brain, priming us to feed our cravings. Published online Jan. 21… Continue reading Why Are Bad Habits So Hard to Break?
Give Up “Getting Over the Past”
Is there something in your past causing you pain and preventing you from fully experiencing joy in the present? Perhaps there is an upset with your partner you can’t seem to put behind you. It could be anything from a fight over dinner to a betrayal of trust. Whatever scenario you happen to be in,… Continue reading Give Up “Getting Over the Past”
Can Garlic Help Fight Heart Disease?
According to a new study, a kind of garlic available in health food stores may control or even reverse heart disease. Although previous studies have focused on garlic’s effect on cholesterol, this research done by Dr. Matthew Budoff, of LABiomed at Harbor General Hospital in Carson, is the first to look at its direct effect… Continue reading Can Garlic Help Fight Heart Disease?
What You Must Know About Lead Poisoning
The stories about the high lead levels in the water supply of Flint, Michigan have brought the problem of lead poisoning front and center. According to experts from the Mayo Clinic, those at greatest risk of health problems, including serious brain and kidney damage, are children. But adults can be vulnerable as well. Lead poisoning… Continue reading What You Must Know About Lead Poisoning
Menopause and Migraines
Migraines increase as women approach menopause, according to new research. The discovery was made by investigators at the University of Cincinnati (UC), Montefiore Headache Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Vedanta Research. “Women have been telling doctors that their migraine headaches worsen around menopause and now we have proof they were right,” says Vincent… Continue reading Menopause and Migraines
Mentally Challenging Activities Key to A Healthy Aging Mind
Although evidence indicates that engaging in enriching activities may help maintain cognitive vitality, researchers haven’t really understood why – until now. The study was reported in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. Investigators at the University of Texas at Dallas proposed that only tasks that involved sustained mental effort and challenge would facilitate cognitive function. Senior author… Continue reading Mentally Challenging Activities Key to A Healthy Aging Mind
Getting Your Cat Ready for the Vet
If you own a cat, you want him or her to live a long, happy life. But to do that means regular visits to the vet – and chances are that you dread this almost as much as your cat does. Here, from cat-care experts, are some tips on what you can do to make… Continue reading Getting Your Cat Ready for the Vet
Homegrown Flavor from An Indoor Garden
Add some homegrown flavor to your winter meals. From microgreens to tomatoes, it is possible to grow produce indoors. Microgreens are a quick and easy way to add some flavor and crunch to your plate. Just plant seeds labeled for sprouting or microgreens in a shallow container filled with a sterile potting or seed starting… Continue reading Homegrown Flavor from An Indoor Garden
Couples’ Quality of Life Linked Even After One Spouse Dies
When one spouse passes away, his or her characteristics continue to be linked with the surviving spouse’s well-being, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The findings also indicate that this link between the deceased spouse and surviving spouse is as strong as that between partners… Continue reading Couples’ Quality of Life Linked Even After One Spouse Dies
Discrimination Increases Risk for Mental-Health Problems
People who are the victims of chronic discrimination, whether on the basis of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, can develop risk factors for mental disorders, experts say. “We now have decades of research showing that when people are chronically treated differently, unfairly or badly, it can have effects ranging from low self-esteem to a higher… Continue reading Discrimination Increases Risk for Mental-Health Problems
The “Silver Scams” that Target Seniors
If you are over 65, you probably grew up in an era when business was done with a firm handshake; unfortunately, crooks today are playing on that trust. The Federal Trade Commission says that fraud complaints to its offices by individuals 60 and older rose at least 47 percent between 2012 and 2014. Seniors are… Continue reading The “Silver Scams” that Target Seniors
Hope for Better Knee-Injury Surgery
Researchers have discovered that fibrocartilage tissue in the knee has a more varied molecular structure than previously realized – and that could pave the way for better treatment of injuries. The new study, by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Delaware, has implications for treatment… Continue reading Hope for Better Knee-Injury Surgery
Exercise DVDs May Not Be Healthy
Using fitness DVDs may seem like an ideal way to get into shape, but they could have a negative effect on you, according to new research. A study of 10 popular commercial exercise DVDs showed that the imagery in the fitness videos may be perpetuating and reinforcing hyper-sexualized and unrealistic body images, said Brad Cardinal,… Continue reading Exercise DVDs May Not Be Healthy
How to Drink Safely at Your Next Celebration
Whether it’s a friend’s birthday party, wedding reception or a company fete, celebratory events often have one thing in common: alcohol. Even for those who don’t normally have a problem with high-risk drinking, overdoing it at special occasions is almost accepted today as a societal norm—but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. According to Randy Haveson,… Continue reading How to Drink Safely at Your Next Celebration
Healthy Eating for Diabetics at Winter Gatherings
Winter is a time when we tend to rely on comfort foods like ham and mashed potatoes, while high-fat, high-calorie snacks are the norm at football play-off gatherings. Here, from the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a division of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, are tips to help you eat… Continue reading Healthy Eating for Diabetics at Winter Gatherings
When It Comes to Happiness, Time’s More Important than Money
You’ll have a better chance at happiness if you value time more than money, according to new research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. In six studies with more than 4,600 participants, researchers found an almost even split between people who tended to value their time or money, and that choice was… Continue reading When It Comes to Happiness, Time’s More Important than Money
How to Manage Nickel Allergy
One of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis is nickel. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than 18 percent of people in North America are allergic to nickel, including 11 million children in the U.S. Although one solution to a nickel allergy is obvious – avoid objects containing nickel –… Continue reading How to Manage Nickel Allergy