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Men's Death Rates Cut Drastically Through Daily Exercise
Increasing exercise capacity reduces the risk of death in African-American and Caucasian men, according to research on the link between fitness and mortality, including over 15,000 participants. Reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the researchers investigated exercise capacity as an independent predictor of overall mortality for African-American men (6,749) and Caucasion men (8,911) in addition to analyzing whether racial differences in exercise capacity influenced the risk of death. Each participant was tested by a standardized treadmill test to assess exercise capacity. They were encouraged to exercise until they were fatigued or unless symptoms of cardiac ischemia developed. These individuals were then tracked for an average of 7.5 years. (Read more about Men's Death Rates Cut Drastically Through Daily Exercise)
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A Crisis In Modern Scientific Education
Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a crisis in modern scientific education. For Dr. Fuster the crisis is not a lack of technical skill, but lack of creativity. Dr. Fuster explores how science, and specifically medical education, has become overly oriented to our present technological world at the expense of creativity. He also urges scientist and their students to be open enough to be aware of the social implications of their work, For example, extending cell life may have great implications for extending a human life, but then we should be aware of the social implications of such research as well. He also emphasizes how real innovation comes from creativity not technical expertise. (Read more about A Crisis In Modern Scientific Education)
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Forgiveness Improves Well Being
Holding a grudge against someone can affect the cardiovascular and nervous system, according to the January 2008 issue of Mayo Clinic Women's Healthsource. During a study, people who focused on a personal grudge had elevated blood pressure and heart rates, in addition to increased muscle tension and a feeling of less control. When the participants were asked to imagine forgiving the person who hurt or harmed them, the changes dissipated and the subjects felt relaxed and more positive. Other studies have also found forgiveness to have positive effects on psychological health.. (Read more about Forgiveness Improves Well Being)
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Coughing May Be a Serious Sign
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), waking up coughing or having a prolonged cough that lasts for weeks should receive serious medical attention. Alan Goldsobel of AAAAI explains, "Coughing protects the body by removing mucus and irritating particles from the respiratory tract. Coughing is a useful function that does not always mean there is a problem. However, coughing at night, after going to sleep indicates the need for medical attention." (Read more about Coughing May Be a Serious Sign)
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Middle Age Physical Activity Determines Old Age Physical Ability
A study from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK, has found a direct link between levels of physical activity in middle age and physical ability later in life - regardless of body weight. Individuals unable to maintain a certain level of physical activity in middle age were less likely to be able to walk distances, climb stairs, maintain balance, stand from a seated position with arms folded, or sustain their hand grip as they aged. Among men and women aged 50 to 69 years across all weight ranges, physical ability later in life was half that among those who were more physically active. (Read more about Middle Age Physical Activity Determines Old Age Physical Ability)
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What is Renal Stenosis?
It is very interesting that a lot of people don't know that blocking the arteries of the kidney can be a cause for hypertension. Particularly someone who is young and becomes hypertensive suddenly, one should make sure there is no blockage in the renal arteries. There are millions of people with hypertension, so it's easy to think that we should simply give them medications. But it's important to understand that there is a very small segment of the population, who develop hypertension at a young age, particularly in their twenties, thirties, forties. They need to be looked into. All we need to do is a scan of their kidneys. What is called a duplex scan or an ultrasound of their arteries. With this methodology we can actually pick up a narrowing of the arteries. (Read more about What is Renal Stenosis?)
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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)
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Crib Bumpers Are Deemed Unsafe by Experts
A recent study in the current issue of the Journal of Pediatrics has found hidden dangers in using soft cushioned bumpers around cribs and bassinets. These bumpers supposedly stop babies from banging or trapping their heads against the bars of the crib, but researchers say they can lead to suffocation for the infant. Pediatric researchers found that 27 babies and toddlers up to age 2 were accidentally strangled or suffocated by bumper pads and another 25 children were injured.
The research team examined database reviews from three U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions on deaths related to crib bumpers and other crib-related injuries from 1985 to 2005. According to lead author of the study, Dr. Bradley Thach, many babies lack the motor coordination to free themselves when they become wedged between the bumper and another surface. In some instances, if the bumper is too soft the baby's face can get pressed up against it, leading to suffocation. If the bumper is too firm the baby can climb up the pads and fall out of the crib. (Read more about Crib Bumpers Are Deemed Unsafe by Experts)
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Resistance and Aerobics Exercise Found to Improve Blood Sugar Control
A recent randomized controlled trial published in latest edition of "Annals of Internal Medicine" found that both aerobic and resistance exercise improved glycemic and blood sugar control for people with type 2 diabetes. The study observed over 250 adults between ages 39 and 70 who were not exercising regularly and had type 2 diabetes. The study participants were divided into four groups: 45 minutes of aerobics three times a week, 45 minutes of resistance training three times a week, 45 minutes each of both three times a week, and no exercise. Each participant was evaluated for changes in their A1C value - a percentage that reflects changes in blood sugar concentrations. (Read more about Resistance and Aerobics Exercise Found to Improve Blood Sugar Control)
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Childhood Obesity Linked to Elevated Sugar Levels During Pregnancy
Each year, it is estimated that 8% of pregnant women in the US develop gestational diabetes, where hyperglycemia and insulin resistance develop as a result of pregnancy. The childhood obesity rate has doubled in the last two decades and it is estimated that 7 million overweight or obese children will grow into overweight or obese adults.
A study in the September issue of Diabetes Care has found the risk of childhood obesity increases in line with the pregnant mother's blood sugar levels. The research team of Kaiser Permanent Center for Health Research analyzed records of nearly 9,500 mother-child pairs who were members of the organizations health plan through the years of 1995 and 2000. The evidence found that diabetes in pregnant women resulted in an 89 percent higher risk of the child becoming overweight and an 82 percent higher risk of the child becoming obese between the ages of 5 and 7 years. (Read more about Childhood Obesity Linked to Elevated Sugar Levels During Pregnancy)
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