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Create long lasting beauty and pollinator appeal in your landscape with the help of perennials. With a little bit of planning, you can have flowers, foliage and seed heads that add interest to your garden year-round.
Select perennials including native plants that thrive in the sunlight, soil, and moisture conditions in your garden. Incorporate several inches of compost or other organic matter into the top eight to 12 inches of soil to improve the soil so your perennials will be healthy, showy, and long-lived plants.
As you select your plants, consider seasonal foliage and flower color as well as texture.  Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow make large areas appear smaller, energize the space, and make it feel warmer. Cool colors of blue, green, and violet make small areas feel larger, hot areas seem cooler, and create a sense of tranquility.
Large leaves and flowers are bold and create a focal point while small flowers and narrow leaves create a sense of depth when used in the back of the garden and they make a nice backdrop for bold textured plants.
Maximize beauty in every square inch and extend your budget with plants that provide multiple seasons of interest.
Look for opportunities to include spring flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and grape hyacinths into the landscape. Although their blooms are relatively short lived, these spring beauties are sure to brighten the garden and help chase away the winter blues. Add these to your fall planting list.
Include some spring, summer, and fall blooming perennials with season long foliage, fall color or winter interest. You will find many great options at your local garden center. Plants like Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), hardy in zones 3 to 9, tolerates full sun to part shade, has beautiful flowers in spring, nice foliage, fall color, and persistent seeds capsules for winter interest.  Nonaggressive catmint (Nepeta) varieties flower all summer long with minimal maintenance. End the season with showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). Its bright yellow flowers add a burst of color to the fall garden and provide food for pollinators migrating through or overwintering in your garden. The dried flowers add interest to the winter garden.
Include some ornamental grasses. Their fine foliage is a great addition to the garden and most come into their full glory in fall. Leave them stand for winter and enjoy the motion and texture they provide.
DonΓÇÖt let gardening in the shade stop you from creating season long beauty. Consider shade lovers that add multiple seasons of beauty to those shady spots in the landscape like barrenwort (Epimedium), variegated SolomonΓÇÖs seal, and coral bells.
Let your healthy perennials stand in the garden all winter long. Their dried leaves, stems and seed heads provide winter interest and help attract birds to the garden. They also provide winter homes for many beneficial insects.  You’ll enjoy the motion and color the birds and standing perennials add to drab winter days.
Start taking pictures of your landscape throughout the year. Then look for opportunities to add year-round perennial beauty to your gardens and landscapes.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Solar powered lighting eliminates the need for outdoor outlets, extension cords or buried low voltage lines. The solar panels charge during sunny days and can be mounted on the light or on a long cord, allowing you to place the solar panel where it gets the most sunlight. Some lights turn on automatically at dusk, others have a manual on-off switch, and a few have a remote on-off control.
Votive and pillar candles are longtime favorites. Set them in a container on the table or line a pathway. Unfortunately, the wax does drip, there is a danger of fire, and the flame can blow out in a strong breeze.
Consider using battery-operated candles instead. These look and flicker like the real thing and eliminate some of the problems and dangers of candles.  Look for those with remote controls or timers to make lighting your space hassle-free.
Use these battery-operated candles in decorative holders like the Dahlia Blossom Punched Metal Lanterns (gardeners.com). YouΓÇÖll enjoy the copper cut lanterns as garden art by day and the intricate light pattern they cast at night.
Pot up your favorite flowers and tropical and edible plants in solar illuminated planters. Luminous solar-powered planters are frosted white by day and can be programmed to display one color or set for color-changing mode. These pots have a ten-foot cord, allowing you to place the pots where the plants will thrive and connecting it to its solar panel in a sunny spot nearby.
Solar torch lights have flickering lights that create a realistic look while lighting a pathway or sitting area. Use one to highlight a special spot in your garden or several to light a pathway, patio or larger space when entertaining.
Prevent trips and falls while also boosting safe access to your favorite outdoor spaces by lighting steps as well as pathways.  Look for solar powered lights like Maxsa Solar Ninja Stars that can be mounted on steps, the ground, deck, wall, or other flat surfaces.  The integrated solar panels come with a rechargeable battery.
Add overhead glow to patios, decks, or balconies with string lights. They come in a variety of styles to light up larger spaces or highlight your favorite tree. Multicolored waterdrop string lights will add a festive look to any space. Luminites® Solar String Lights feature Edison bulbs that provide six to eight hours of steady or gently flashing modes.
Add some fun, personality or added interest with specialty lights.  Outdoor lights like the Twinklelite™ Solar Stake Lights have flexible branches covered with 120 LED bulbs. Twist and bend the branches to accomplish the look you desire. Then wait for the lights to turn on automatically at dusk.
Add some landscape lighting to help you enjoy quiet moments or festive gatherings in your gardens after dark. Select the best lighting options that are easy to use, complement your design and provide the needed lighting in your landscape.
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Gardener’s Supply for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
New research has found that deaths from uterine cancer are rising in the United States and are highest among non-Hispanic Black women.
The study was led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The higher death rates are related to the rising incidence of aggressive subtypes of uterine cancer. The researchers found that, from 2010 to 2017, deaths of women from all racial and ethnic groups from uterine cancer overall increased 1.8% per year. Deaths from non-endometroid subtypes of uterine cancerΓÇöwhich are more aggressive than endometrioid cancersΓÇöincreased by 2.7% per year, whereas endometrioid cancer mortality rates were stable during this period.
Black women had more than twice the rate of deaths from uterine cancer overall and of non-endometrioid subtypes compared with other racial and ethnic groups.
The study appeared in JAMA Oncology. The information in this story was originally published by the National Cancer Institute as
For additional information on cancer, click here to visit the NCIΓÇÖs website.
A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some risk factors can be controlled while others cannot. For example, a person is not able to control their age, which is the greatest known risk factor for AlzheimerΓÇÖs and related dementias. Another uncontrollable risk factor is a personΓÇÖs genes. Genes are structures in our bodyΓÇÖs cells that are passed down from a personΓÇÖs birth parents. Changes in genes ΓÇö even small changes ΓÇö can cause diseases.
Race and gender are also factors that influence risk. Research shows that African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of dementia, and that risk factors may differ for women and men. Researchers are investigating whatΓÇÖs behind these differences.
However, people do have control over their behavior and lifestyle, which can influence their risk for certain diseases. For example, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Lowering blood pressure with lifestyle changes or medication can help reduce a personΓÇÖs risk for heart disease and heart attack.
To determine which risk factors may prevent a disease or condition, researchers first conduct observational studies to make associations. They then conduct carefully controlled clinical trials. For example, researchers identified an association between high blood pressure and heart attacks and then completed clinical trials to determine that lowering a personΓÇÖs blood pressure would indeed lower the likelihood of having a heart attack. This is not to say that people who lower their blood pressure definitely wonΓÇÖt have a heart attack. But it significantly lowers the chances.
For AlzheimerΓÇÖs and related dementias, no behavior or lifestyle factors have risen to the level of researchers being able to say: This will definitely prevent these diseases. But there are promising avenues.
A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay AlzheimerΓÇÖs or age-related cognitive decline. The review found ΓÇ£encouraging but inconclusiveΓÇ¥ evidence for three types of behavioral changes (called interventions): physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive training. The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether ΓÇö and in what amounts or forms ΓÇö they might prevent dementia.
Although there is no effective treatment or proven prevention for AlzheimerΓÇÖs and related dementias, in general, leading a healthy lifestyle may help address risk factors that have been associated with these diseases.
Control high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, has harmful effects on the heart, blood vessels, and brain, and increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. Treating high blood pressure with medication and healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising and quitting smoking, may help reduce the risk of dementia.
Manage blood sugar. Higher than normal levels of blood sugar, or glucose, can lead to diabetes and may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Making healthy food choices, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, and checking glucose levels can help manage blood sugar.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Being active and choosing healthy foods can help maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a healthy diet. Aim for a mix of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and seafood, unsaturated fats such as olive oil, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, and limit other fats and sugars.
Keep physically active. Physical activity has many health benefits, such as helping to prevent being overweight and having obesity, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.
Stay mentally active. Lots of activities can help keep your mind active, including reading, playing board games, crafting or taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, working or volunteering, and socializing.
Stay connected with family and friends. Connecting with people and engaging in social activities can prevent social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to higher risks for cognitive decline and AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease.
Treat hearing problems. Hearing loss may affect cognition and dementia risk in older adults and can make it more difficult to interact with others. Protect your ears from loud sounds to help prevent hearing loss, and use hearing aids if needed.
Take care of your mental and physical health. This includes getting your recommended health screenings, managing chronic health issues such as depression or high cholesterol, and regularly checking in with your health care provider.
Sleep well. Sleeping well is important for both your mind and body. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Talk with your doctor if you are not getting enough sleep, sleeping poorly, or think you may have a sleep disorder.
Prevent head injury. Take steps to prevent falls and head injury, such as fall-proofing your home and wearing shoes with nonskid soles that fully support your feet. Consider participating in fall prevention programs online or in your area. Also, wear seatbelts and helmets to help protect you from concussions and other brain injuries.
Drink less alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to falls and worsen health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, and mood disorders. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that men should not have more than two drinks a day and women only one.
Stop tobacco use. At any age, stopping smoking can improve your health and lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.
Researchers cannot say for certain whether making the above lifestyle changes will protect against dementia, but these changes are good for your health and are all part of making healthy choices as you age.
Watch Out for False AlzheimerΓÇÖs Cures
Although you might see commercials or online advertisements for products promising to improve brain health and prevent dementia, be cautious about such products. There currently is no product that will effectively prevent or treat AlzheimerΓÇÖs or related dementias. Check with your doctor before trying any new medication or supplement.
More research is needed to find ways to help prevent AlzheimerΓÇÖs and related dementias. Future research may determine that specific interventions are needed to prevent or delay the disease in some people, but others may need a combination of treatments based on their individual risk factors. Understanding risk factors and choices you can make now is important for both your present and future health.
WhatΓÇÖs Next With Dementia Prevention Research?
More research is needed to find ways to help prevent AlzheimerΓÇÖs and related dementias. Future research may determine that specific interventions are needed to prevent or delay the disease in some people, but others may need a combination of treatments based on their individual risk factors. Understanding risk factors and choices you can make now is important for both your present and future health. In addition to this website, consider the resources listed below to learn more.
You can also help researchers learn more about preventing dementia by participating in clinical trials and studies. Search the Alzheimers.gov Clinical Trials Finder to find studies that need volunteers.
Researchers studying Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Research on AlzheimerΓÇÖs Disease and Related Dementias
The federal government and others are exploring diverse research areas to improve quality of life for people with dementia and to prevent and treat these diseases.
Learn more about research activities.
Find More Resources on Dementia Risk and Brain Health
Explore the resources on this website and linked below to find more information from federal government agencies.
National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health
Assessing Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Learn about genetic and other risk factors for early- and late-onset AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease.
BACKROUNDAging is associated with cognitive decline and brain atrophy. Aging also confers a major risk for developing a neurodegenerative disease. Given the aging population, novel strategies are needed to identify neuroprotective therapeutics. The study of sex differences in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases can reveal new candidate treatment targets tailored for women and men.
Understanding the role of sex chromosome gene expression in the brain in the context of waning sex hormones during aging is a new approach to identifying neuroprotective treatments.
FINDINGSDr. Rhonda Voskuhl, Professor, and Dr. Yuichiro Itoh, Associate Researcher, in the Department of Neurology, have created a roadmap to identify novel neuroprotective treatments tailored for women and men that leverage known sex differences in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Previously, research pursuing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases ignored sex differences in the brain and pooled data together from males and females, taking a ΓÇ£one size fits allΓÇ¥ approach. This could dilute out robust effects that exist in one sex but not the other at the clinical research level and fail to capitalize on known disease modifiers in the discovery of new treatment targets at the basic research level.
In their study, ΓÇ£The X factor in neurodegeneration,ΓÇ¥ Voskuhl and Itoh write that known sex differences in the brain as well as the effect of higher expression of certain X chromosome genes in females (XX) compared to males (XY) can be assessed for their role in neurodegeneration during aging, a stage of life characterized by loss of potentially neuroprotective hormones in females (estrogen in menopause) and males (testosterone in andropause). The study offers a roadmap for disentangling the contribution of these sex-specific factors, which can yield treatments optimized and targeted for each sex.
IMPACTIn the future, this roadmap can be used by researchers to discover targets on the X chromosome gene for development of modulatory treatments that prevent neurodegeneration and promote neural repair during brain aging.
ΓÇ£Given the aging population and lack of treatments to prevent cognitive decline during health and to reduce the risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases, it is now imperative to apply new strategies to identify neuroprotective treatments,ΓÇ¥ said Voskuhl, who also directs the UCLA Multiple Sclerosis Program.
ΓÇ£Leveraging what is known about sex differences in multiple sclerosis, AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease, and ParkinsonΓÇÖs disease can reveal candidate treatment targets tailored for women and men affected by these conditions. Sex chromosome effects remain understudied and represent a promising frontier for discovery, particularly in the context of declining levels of sex hormones during menopause and andropause.ΓÇ¥
JOURNALThe study is published Nov. 4 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Experimental Medicine as part of a series focused on sex differences in health and disease. See the study for the full list of funders.
Voskuhl discloses being an inventor on patents owned by UCLA that involve estriol and estrogen receptor beta ligand treatments to maintain cognitive function during aging and neurodegenerative disease. Itoh has no conflicts of interest to disclose.
ΓÇ£This work represents the culmination of more than a decade of work of many lab members, which was necessary to perform such a comprehensive analysis of the autism brain,ΓÇ¥ said study author Dr. Daniel Geschwind, the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics, Neurology and Psychiatry at UCLA.
Just over a decade ago, Geschwind led the first effort to identify autismΓÇÖs molecular pathology by focusing on two brain regions, the temporal lobe and the frontal lobe. Those regions were chosen because they are higher order association regions involved in higher cognition ΓÇô especially social cognition, which is disrupted in ASD.
For the new study, researchers examined gene expression in 11 cortical regions by sequencing RNA from each of the four main cortical lobes. They compared brain tissue samples obtained after death from 49 people with ASD against 54 controls individuals.
While each profiled cortical region showed changes, the largest changes in RNA levels were in the visual cortex and the parietal cortex, which processes information like touch, pain and temperature. The researchers said this may reflect the sensory hypersensitivity that is frequently reported in people with ASD. Researchers found strong evidence that the genetic risk for autism is enriched in a specific group of genes expressed in neurons that has lower expression across the brain, indicating that these correlated RNA changes in the brain are likely the cause of ASD rather than a result of the disorder.
One of the next steps is to determine whether researchers can use computational approaches to develop therapies based on reversing gene expression changes the researchers found in ASD, Geschwind said, adding that researchers can use organoids to model the changes in order to better understand their mechanisms.
Other authors include Michael J. Gandal, Jillian R. Haney, Brie Wamsley, Chloe X. Yap, Sepideh Parhami, Prashant S. Emani, Nathan Chang, George T. Chen, Gil D. Hoftman, Diego de Alba, Gokul Ramaswami, Christopher L. Hartl, Arjun Bhattacharya, Chongyuan Luo, Ting Jin, Daifeng Wang, Riki Kawaguchi, Diana Quintero, Jing Ou, Ye Emily Wu, Neelroop N. Parikshak, Vivek Swarup, T. Grant Belgard, Mark Gerstein, and Bogdan Pasaniuc. The authors declared no competing interests.
This work was funded by grants to Geschwind (NIMHR01MH110927, U01MH115746, P50-MH106438 and R01MH109912, R01MH094714), Gandal (SFARI Bridge to Independence Award, NIMH R01-MH121521, NIMH R01-MH123922 and NICHD-P50-HD103557), and Haney (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Los Angeles Founder Chapter, UCLA Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program).
Brain changes in autism are comprehensive throughout the cerebral cortex rather than just particular areas thought to affect social behavior and language, according to a new UCLA-led study that significantly refines scientistsΓÇÖ understanding of how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) progresses at the molecular level. The study, published today in Nature, represents a comprehensive effort to characterize ASD at the molecular level. While neurological disorders like AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease or ParkinsonΓÇÖs disease have well-defined pathologies, autism and other psychiatric disorders have had a lack of defining pathology, challenging efforts to develop more effective treatments.
The new study finds brain-wide changes in virtually all of the 11 cortical regions analyzed, regardless of whether they are higher critical association regions ΓÇô those involved in functions such as reasoning, language, social cognition and mental flexibility ΓÇô or primary sensory regions.
ΓÇ£This work represents the culmination of more than a decade of work of many lab members, which was necessary to perform such a comprehensive analysis of the autism brain,ΓÇ¥ said study author Dr. Daniel Geschwind, the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics, Neurology and Psychiatry at UCLA. ΓÇ£We now finally are beginning to get a picture of the state of the brain, at the molecular level, of the brain in individuals who had a diagnosis of autism. This defines a molecular pathology, which similar to other brain disorders such as ParkinsonΓÇÖs, AlzheimerΓÇÖs and stroke, provides a key starting point for understanding the disorderΓÇÖs mechanisms, which will inform and accelerate development of disease-altering therapies.ΓÇ¥
Brain changes in autism are comprehensive throughout the cerebral cortex rather than just particular areas thought to affect social behavior and language, according to a new UCLA-led study that significantly refines scientistsΓÇÖ understanding of how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) progresses at the molecular level.
The study, published today in Nature, represents a comprehensive effort to characterize ASD at the molecular level. While neurological disorders like AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease or ParkinsonΓÇÖs disease have well-defined pathologies, autism and other psychiatric disorders have had a lack of defining pathology, challenging efforts to develop more effective treatments.
JF Edit Schedule as of May 10th 2023
Tuesday, May 16th 2023
The mammogram news you posted already, or another one of your choice.
Mediterranean Diets linked to fewer signs of AlzheimerΓÇÖs ΓÇô National Institute on Aging
Jane #1
Blog, Sally Franz, Indoor Garden Fail(1st Week) ΓÇô Sondra #1
Wednesday, May 17th 2023
Blood pressure: What do the numbers mean and why do they matter? Laura Williamson AHA
— Sondra #2
Thursday, May 18th 2023
In first in utero surgery, doctors eliminate symptoms of dangerous brain condition ΓÇô American Heart Association=- Jane #2
Friday, May 19th 2023
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen, UCLA– Sondra #3
Bold color, tropical beauty, and easy-care mandevillas make excellent additions to patios, decks, and gardens. Train them onto a trellis, allow them to cascade from a hanging basket, or combine them with other plants. Enjoy summer-long blossoms and the butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators that stop by for a visit.
Once divided into two different groups, dipladenias and mandevillas, the botanists now consider them all mandevillas. You will find both names still in use, with dipladenias referring to those with a more mounded, shrub-like shape and mandevillas being more of a trailing vine. Whatever you call them you are sure to find one or more that complement your garden and container designs.
Mandevillas are grown as annuals in all but zones 10a to 11b where some varieties are hardy. They flower best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. These South American native plants thrive in the hot humid weather of summer. Wait for spring temperatures to remain in the 60s before planting them outdoors.
Select a potting mix or location with organically rich, well-drained soil. Use a slow-release fertilizer at the start of the season and make a second application, if needed mid-season. Read and follow the label directions when using fast-release liquid fertilizers.
Mandevillas are usually flowering when you purchase them at the garden center. They will continue to bloom on new growth throughout the summer and fall until frost kills the plant.
The well-behaved vining mandevilla will not strangle nearby plants. Just give it a trellis or obelisk for the vines to wrap around and climb. Their slightly woody stems provide greater stability than other vines that regularly need to be secured to the support. Just tuck any new tendrils through the trellis, pointing them in the desired direction as needed.
Use vining varieties in a container of their own or as a vertical accent on a trellis in mixed containers or flowerbeds. Set pots by an entrance to your home or garden for a colorful welcome or use them to dress up a bare wall or fence.
The more compact shrubby types can be planted with other annual flowers in the garden, grown in hanging baskets, or used as a filler in mixed container gardens. Just prune off or tuck any wayward branches behind neighboring plants.
Disease-resistant Sun Parasol® mandevillas offer an array of colors including white, yellow, apricot, pink, crimson, and even red and white striped flowers. The original shrubby Sun Parasol® mandevillas are available in the widest range of colors while the garden group makes excellent hanging baskets. Grow the vigorous climbing Giant group varieties for the largest flowers and the Pretty group when looking for a vine with the most flowers, dense vigorous growth, and more cold tolerance.
Include them on your patio, deck, or balcony, and situate a few outside your windows. You will enjoy the flowers and winged visitors whether inside looking out or relaxing in your outdoor spaces.
Summer is a time for COVID-safe beach days, pool fun and outdoor adventures. But without the right sun protection, your summer escapades can leave you with excruciating sunburn and a higher risk of skin cancer. Experiencing a sunburn just five times over your lifetime doubles your risk of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
The good news is that sunburn is preventable and there are plenty of options when it comes to sun protection. And if you have a plan ΓÇö and a little sunblock knowledge ΓÇö choosing the right sunscreen can be as easy as 1-2-3.
Sunblock is classified as mineral or chemical based on its ingredients and how it prevents skin damage from UV rays. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasnΓÇÖt labeled either type of sunscreen as unsafe, but each type has pros and cons that may help with your decision.
Mineral (or physical) sunscreen sits on the skinΓÇÖs surface and physically blocks UV light before it penetrates the skin. This method offers instant protection but can be harder to rub in, needs to be applied more frequently and tends to leave a white film on the skin.
The two main ingredients in mineral sunscreens ΓÇö titanium dioxide and zinc oxide ΓÇö are the only sunscreen ingredients recognized as safe and effective by the FDA . These ingredients are gentler than those in chemical sunblock, making mineral sunscreen ideal for sensitive skin.
Chemical sunscreens work differently than mineral sunblock to protect the skin. They allow UV light to penetrate skin. Then chemicals in the sunscreen convert the UV light into heat, which is released from the skin. Chemical sunscreen is easy to rub in and leaves less residue than mineral sunscreens. But youΓÇÖll need to apply it at least 20 minutes before sun exposure because itΓÇÖs not immediately effective.
There are concerns about the ingredients in chemical sunscreens, especially oxybenzone. Research shows that some ingredients may cause environmental issues including damage to coral reefs and pose health risks such as hormone disruption and allergic skin reactions.
Since the skin absorbs the ingredients in chemical sunscreen, the FDA is waiting for more safety data before labeling them as safe and effective. But experts agree that the health risks of sun exposure far outweigh the potential risk of absorbing sunscreen chemicals.
Every sunscreen provides an SPF number, which tells you how long the sunblock will protect your skin from the sunΓÇÖs UV radiation. But sunscreens can vary in the amount and type of UV protection offered.
All sunscreens protect against UVB rays ΓÇö the main cause of sunburn and skin cancers. But broad-spectrum SPF also helps you avoid UVA rays and adds another level of protection against skin cancer and premature aging.
The higher the SPF number, the longer the protection should last. In ideal conditions, if you wear sunscreen with SPF 30, it should take you 30 times longer to burn than if you werenΓÇÖt wearing any sunscreen. But the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is more than just timing. SPF 50 allows 2% of UVB rays to hit your skin, while SPF 30 lets 3% of rays through ΓÇö exposing you to 50% more UV radiation.
Just remember that sunscreen is rarely used in ideal conditions. People sweat and swim and donΓÇÖt always apply enough. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapplying every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. But donΓÇÖt feel like you need to use the highest SPF available (SPF 100). SPF protection above 50 is only slightly better and tends to provide a false sense of security ΓÇö people are less likely to reapply when needed.
The best method of sunscreen application is the one youΓÇÖll consistently use, but most people donΓÇÖt apply enough. Sunscreen sprays, sticks and lotions can be effective when used properly and reapplied every couple of hours:
No sunscreen offers 100% protection, so itΓÇÖs important to seek shade and wear protective clothing whenever possible.
For more information about protecting your skin from the sun, reach out to your primary care physician or a UCLA Health dermatologist.
People with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may continue to improve or decline years after their injury, making it a more chronic illness, according to a study published in the June 21, 2023, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
ΓÇ£Our results dispute the notion that TBI is a one-time event with a stagnant outcome after a short period of recovery,ΓÇ¥ said study author Benjamin L. Brett, PhD, of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. ΓÇ£Rather, people with TBI continue to show improvement and decline across a range of areas including their ability to function and their thinking skills.ΓÇ¥
The study involved people at 18 level 1 trauma center hospitals with an average age of 41. A total of 917 people had mild TBI and 193 people had moderate to severe TBI. They were matched to 154 people with orthopedic injuries but no head injuries. Participants were followed for up to seven years.
The participants took three tests on thinking, memory, mental health and ability to function with daily activities annually from two to seven years post-injury. They also completed an interview on their abilities and symptoms, including headache, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
When researchers looked at all test scores combined, 21% of people with mild TBI experienced decline, compared to 26% of people with moderate to severe TBI and 15% of people with orthopedic injuries with no head injury, according to Neurology.
Among the three tests, researchers saw the most decline over the years in the ability to function with daily activities. On average, over the course of 2 to 7 years post-injury, a total of 29% of those with mild TBI declined in their abilities and 23% of those with moderate to severe TBI.
Yet some people showed improvement in the same area, with 22% of those with mild TBI improving over time and 36% of those with moderate to severe TBI.
ΓÇ£These findings point out the need to recognize TBI as a chronic condition in order to establish adequate care that supports the evolving needs of people with this condition,ΓÇ¥ Brett said. ΓÇ£This type of care should place a greater emphasis on helping people who have shown improvement continue to improve and implementing greater levels of support for those who have shown decline.ΓÇ¥
A limitation of the study was that all participants were seen at a level 1 trauma center hospital within 24 hours of their injury, so the findings may not apply to other groups of people.
Fireworks produce loud, explosive noises that can reach dangerous decibel levels, often exceeding 150 decibels (dB). To put this into perspective, normal conversation typically measures around 60 dB, while prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss.
ΓÇ£Fireworks’ high decibel levels pose a significant risk, especially for children, individuals with pre-existing hearing conditions, and those in close proximity to the detonation,ΓÇ¥ says Sara Lerner, Assistant Director of Clinical Audiology with ENT and Allergy Associates (ENTA), the largest ear, nose, throat, allergy, and audiology practice in the country. ΓÇ£It’s important to recognize that the harm caused by fireworks is not limited to a single instance. Frequent exposure to loud noises, even for short durations, can accumulate over time and result in irreversible hearing damage.ΓÇ¥
People who frequently engage in or are regularly exposed to fireworks displays are particularly susceptible to long-term hearing impairments, ENTA says in a news release.. While the 4th of July and the summer season, are times of excitement and festivities, it’s crucial to remember the potential risks fireworks pose to your hearing health. Here are some valuable tips to help you safeguard your hearing during this holiday:
Maintain a Safe Distance: When attending fireworks displays, try to position yourself at a safe distance from the launch site. As a general rule, staying at least 500 feet away can significantly reduce the intensity of the sound waves reaching your ears.
Use Hearing Protection: Invest in high-quality earplugs or earmuffs specifically designed for noise reduction. These protective devices create a barrier against loud noises and help to mitigate the risk of hearing damage. Ensure that they fit snugly and effectively block out excessive sound.
Limit Exposure Time: Prolonged exposure to loud noises increases the likelihood of hearing damage. If you’re planning to enjoy fireworks for an extended period, take regular breaks in quieter areas to give your ears a chance to recover. This break allows your auditory system to rest and reduces the cumulative impact of noise exposure.
Create a Quiet Zone: If you’re hosting a 4th of July gathering, designate a quiet area where individuals can retreat and escape the noise of fireworks. Provide comfortable seating and encourage guests to take breaks in this zone to protect their hearing and overall well-being. Look after pets, who are often upset by loud noises. Keep them inside at a safe distance from hearing the noise.
Be Mindful of Children: Children’s ears are particularly sensitive to loud noises. If you’re celebrating with young ones, closely supervise their exposure to fireworks and ensure they wear appropriate hearing protection. Explain the importance of safeguarding their hearing and lead by example. Remember, protecting your hearing is a lifelong commitment,ΓÇ¥ says Lerner. ΓÇ£By implementing these tips, you can enjoy your 4th of July and summer celebrations while taking proactive steps to preserve your hearing health for years to come.ΓÇ¥
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 40% to 50% of people experience adversity during childhood, which can increase the risk for physical and emotional challenges when they grow up.
Studies show that parents who faced difficult situations in their childhood may pass on some of those risks to their children.
In a recent study funded by the NIMH, Jessica Uy, Ph.D., of the University of California Los Angeles, and colleagues analyzed the transmission of trauma from one generation to the next. They discovered that when mothers experience adversity in their childhood, it can negatively impact their mental health during and after pregnancy, which in turn, can affect their children’s mental health.
For the study, the researchers followed 541 mother-child pairs who participated in the Growing Up Singapore Toward Health Outcomes (GUSTO) study. Mothers in the study reported their levels of anxiety and depression at 26 weeks of pregnancy and at 3 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 4.5 years, and 6 years after the birth of their child. When their children were 4.5 years of age, mothers reported their recollections of childhood abuse or neglect.
The researchers asked the mothers and their children to fill out surveys when the children were between 7 and 8 years old to find out if the children were feeling anxious, depressed, or withdrawn. Additionally, the researchers collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from a subset of 89 children in the study when they were 6 years old.
The study showed that maternal experiences of childhood neglect were associated with worse mental health (reflecting higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms) both during pregnancy and after birth.
Worse maternal mental health, in turn, was linked to children having more feelings of anxiety and depression and being more socially withdrawn when they were 7.5 years old. Maternal experiences of childhood neglect were also associated with their children reporting more anxiety-related performance fears, physical symptoms, and restlessness.
Maternal experiences of childhood abuse were associated with worse mental health among mothers after birth, which in turn was linked to their children feeling more anxious, depressed, and withdrawn at 7.5 years of age.
The researchers also found a link between maternal mental health and their childrenΓÇÖs brain activity. Children of mothers who experienced worse mental health after birth showed weaker connectivity between two parts of the brain (the amygdala and prefrontal cortex)ΓÇöa connection critical for the regulation and processing of emotion.
The study had several limitations, the researchers said. The mothers who participated were from the general population, which meant most had lower levels of trauma, anxiety, and depression than would be found in a population in treatment. In addition, not all children had fMRI data, and having fMRI data from a larger sample of children would lend greater weight to the findings.
But the study results indicate that when a mother experiences difficult times during her own childhood, it can affect her mental health when she is an adult, during critical life stages such as during pregnancy and after giving birth. This, in turn, can increase the risk of mental health challenges in her children.
The authors suggest one way to break the transmission of risk may be to focus on providing intervention and support to women during these critical time periods.
A new Harvard study, COSMOS 2, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has shown that taking a multivitamin for one year was associated with improved memory and cognition equivalent to reversing age-related memory loss by three years.
The randomized clinical trial, which included 3,500 participants aged 60 and over, was the second COSMOS study to show that multivitamins significantly improved brain functionΓÇöwith the ΓÇ£vitamin groupΓÇ¥ far surpassing the placebo group.
ΓÇ£The benefits of taking a multivitamin were maintained throughout the three years of the study,ΓÇ¥ says board certified internist Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, who advocates nutritional supplementation as a complement to the standard American diet and standard medical therapies. ΓÇ£This confirms numerous earlier studies showing that folate (simple folic acid) dramatically lowers dementia risk.ΓÇ¥ In addition to a daily multivitamin, he recommends supplementing with a good B complex, folate, vitamin D, and magnesiumΓÇöall with proven efficacy.
Teitelbaum is one of the worldΓÇÖs leading researchers on effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. His landmark double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (8:2, 2001) showed profound benefits from nutrition as well as sleep, hormones, treating hidden infections/inflammation, and exercising as able.
ΓÇ£The reason doctors have traditionally been slow to recommend multivitamins is because their training has been pharmaceutical-focused and sorely deficient in nutritional education, he says. ΓÇ£This new COSMOS study is an important step towards setting the record straightΓÇöand represents a wakeup call to clinicians, researchers, and media that cover latest medical findings.ΓÇ¥
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Whether you are making some late additions to your gardens or planning for the future, include some hummingbird-favorite plants. Select plants and create combinations to attract and support them with a season-long supply of nectar.
Hummingbirds consume an average of two to three times their weight in nectar each day. Providing feeders and an abundance of flowers throughout the season will support the hummingbirds and help attract them to your gardens. Keep this in mind as you add plants to your landscape.
Shrubs like azalea, lilac, weigela, buttonbush, and Rose-of-Sharon provide shelter for birds and nectar-filled flowers for hummingbirds and other pollinators to enjoy. The North American native honeysuckle vine adds vertical interest and hummingbird appeal even in small spaces. Major Wheeler is a variant of the native honeysuckle vine that blooms all summer and is more resistant to powdery mildew. Watch as the hummingbirds munch on any aphids that attack this plant. They are great pest managers to have in the garden.
Another native vine, the trumpet vine, is a vigorous grower that can be trained into a small tree or onto a trellis. This plant will send out suckers requiring some regular maintenance. Be patient as it can take several years for this vine to begin flowering. Avoid overfertilization which results in an even bigger plant and no flowers.
Garden phlox and bee balm are both hummingbird favorites that add color and nectar to the summer garden. Look for powdery mildew-resistant varieties or plant them among other tall plants to hide any discolored foliage that may occur. North American native anise hyssop and liatris are two more favorites you may want to include.
Fill vacant spots in the garden, containers, or hanging baskets with annuals known to attract hummingbirds. Fuchsias, begonias, and impatiens are perfect for shady locations. Cupheas are often sold under the common names, tiny mice and cigar plant, and prefer a sunnier location. The taller blue horizon ageratum, geranium, bidens, tall verbena, and petunias grow well in gardens and containers.
Both perennial and annual salvias attract hummingbirds. Place a pot or two of Black and Blue, Black and Bloom, and WendyΓÇÖs Wish near your windows, so you can enjoy the frequent visits of your resident hummingbirds.
Add one or more feeders to your landscape. Provide space between the feeders as hummingbirds are territorial. Make sure there is cover within 10 to 15 feet. Fill the container with a 1-part sugar to 4-part water solution. Replace the mixture and clean the feeders every few days. This provides additional food for
It may take a couple of years for the hummingbirds to find your nectar-filled garden. In the meantime, you will enjoy the flowers and other pollinators that stop by to dine.
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