Flesh-Eating Bacteria's Rise Tied to Antibiotic Cream - Yahoo! News:
'via Blog this'
After getting a cut, many Americans will reach for a tube of over-the-counter antibiotic cream to ward off infection. But that widespread habit, a new paper suggests, may be contributing to the rise of one of the most concerning strains of drug-resistant bacteria.
Japanese researchers looked at 261 samples of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including 21 samples of the USA300 strain, a type of MRSA that has gained attention for its spread, its frequent presence in the community as well as the hospital, and its link to necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease.
They found that while other MRSA strains were somewhat susceptible to some combination of the antibiotics bacitracin and neomycin — which are typically found in over-the-counter creams — only the USA300 strains were resistant to both. The authors said this may mean that overexposure to those antibiotics is what led to USA300's resistance.
September 14, 2011
Laughter Produces Endorphins, Study Finds
Laughter Produces Endorphins, Study Finds - NYTimes.com:
'via Blog this'
Laughter is regularly promoted as a source of health and well being, but it has been hard to pin down exactly why laughing until it hurts feels so good.
The answer, reports Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary psychologist at Oxford, is not the intellectual pleasure of cerebral humor, but the physical act of laughing. The simple muscular exertions involved in producing the familiar ha, ha, ha, he said, trigger an increase in endorphins, the brain chemicals known for their feel-good effect.
'via Blog this'
Laughter is regularly promoted as a source of health and well being, but it has been hard to pin down exactly why laughing until it hurts feels so good.
The answer, reports Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary psychologist at Oxford, is not the intellectual pleasure of cerebral humor, but the physical act of laughing. The simple muscular exertions involved in producing the familiar ha, ha, ha, he said, trigger an increase in endorphins, the brain chemicals known for their feel-good effect.
WHO: Dangerous TB Spreading At Alarming Rate In Europe
WHO: Dangerous TB Spreading At Alarming Rate In Europe | Fox News'via Blog this'
Multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (TB) are spreading at an alarming rate in Europe and will kill thousands unless health authorities halt the pandemic, the World Health Organization(WHO) said on Wednesday.
Launching a new regional plan to find, diagnose and treat cases of the airborne infectious disease more effectively, the WHO's European director warned that complacency had allowed a resurgence of TB and failure to tackle it now would mean huge human and economic costs in the future.
Multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (TB) are spreading at an alarming rate in Europe and will kill thousands unless health authorities halt the pandemic, the World Health Organization(WHO) said on Wednesday.
Launching a new regional plan to find, diagnose and treat cases of the airborne infectious disease more effectively, the WHO's European director warned that complacency had allowed a resurgence of TB and failure to tackle it now would mean huge human and economic costs in the future.
Potentially habitable planet found
Potentially habitable planet found - Technology & Science - CBC News:
'via Blog this'
A rocky planet with the potential to support liquid water — and therefore the potential to support life — has been found orbiting a sun-like star near our solar system.
The planet, known as HD 85512 b, is among 50 planets outside our solar system, called exoplanets, recently discovered using the HARPS instrument on the 3.6-metre telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile, operated by the European Southern Observatory.
'via Blog this'
A rocky planet with the potential to support liquid water — and therefore the potential to support life — has been found orbiting a sun-like star near our solar system.
The planet, known as HD 85512 b, is among 50 planets outside our solar system, called exoplanets, recently discovered using the HARPS instrument on the 3.6-metre telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile, operated by the European Southern Observatory.
Does that hurt? Objective way to measure pain being developed
Does that hurt? Objective way to measure pain being developed:
'via Blog this'
Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine have taken a first step toward developing a diagnostic tool that could eliminate a major hurdle in pain medicine -- the dependency on self-reporting to measure the presence or absence of pain. The new tool would use patterns of brain activity to give an objective physiologic assessment of whether someone is in pain.
'via Blog this'
Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine have taken a first step toward developing a diagnostic tool that could eliminate a major hurdle in pain medicine -- the dependency on self-reporting to measure the presence or absence of pain. The new tool would use patterns of brain activity to give an objective physiologic assessment of whether someone is in pain.
September 13, 2011
Canadian education levels rising compared with OECD
Canadian education levels rising compared with OECD - CTV News:
'via Blog this'
A new study has found Canadians' education levels are outpacing those of many countries.
Statistics Canada reports 92 per cent of adults aged 25 to 34 had completed secondary school as of 2009 compared with 80 per cent of those aged 55 to 64.
The 12-percentage-point gap was smaller than the average across the 34 countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, where the proportions stood at 81-61.
StatsCan also says the proportion of adults aged 25 to 64 with a college diploma or a university degree rose to 50 per cent from 39 per cent between 1999 and 2009, outpacing the average OECD increase.
'via Blog this'
A new study has found Canadians' education levels are outpacing those of many countries.
Statistics Canada reports 92 per cent of adults aged 25 to 34 had completed secondary school as of 2009 compared with 80 per cent of those aged 55 to 64.
The 12-percentage-point gap was smaller than the average across the 34 countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, where the proportions stood at 81-61.
StatsCan also says the proportion of adults aged 25 to 64 with a college diploma or a university degree rose to 50 per cent from 39 per cent between 1999 and 2009, outpacing the average OECD increase.
Quitting smoking enhances personality change
Quitting smoking enhances personality change'via Blog this'
University of Missouri researchers have found evidence that shows those who quit smoking show improvements in their overall personality.
"The data indicate that for some young adults smoking is impulsive," said Andrew Littlefield, a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science. "That means that 18-year-olds are acting without a lot of forethought and favor immediate rewards over long term negative consequences. They might say, 'I know smoking is bad for me, but I'm going to do it anyway.' However, we find individuals who show the most decreases in impulsivity also are more likely quit smoking. If we can target anti-smoking efforts at that impulsivity, it may help the young people stop smoking."
University of Missouri researchers have found evidence that shows those who quit smoking show improvements in their overall personality.
"The data indicate that for some young adults smoking is impulsive," said Andrew Littlefield, a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science. "That means that 18-year-olds are acting without a lot of forethought and favor immediate rewards over long term negative consequences. They might say, 'I know smoking is bad for me, but I'm going to do it anyway.' However, we find individuals who show the most decreases in impulsivity also are more likely quit smoking. If we can target anti-smoking efforts at that impulsivity, it may help the young people stop smoking."
Immune System, Loaded With Remade T-cells, Vanquishes Cancer
Immune System, Loaded With Remade T-cells, Vanquishes Cancer - NYTimes.com:
'via Blog this'
A year ago, when chemotherapy stopped working against his leukemia, William Ludwig signed up to be the first patient treated in a bold experiment at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ludwig, then 65, a retired corrections officer from Bridgeton, N.J., felt his life draining away and thought he had nothing to lose.
Doctors removed a billion of his T-cells — a type of white blood cell that fights viruses and tumors — and gave them new genes that would program the cells to attack his cancer. Then the altered cells were dripped back into Mr. Ludwig’s veins.
'via Blog this'
A year ago, when chemotherapy stopped working against his leukemia, William Ludwig signed up to be the first patient treated in a bold experiment at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ludwig, then 65, a retired corrections officer from Bridgeton, N.J., felt his life draining away and thought he had nothing to lose.
Doctors removed a billion of his T-cells — a type of white blood cell that fights viruses and tumors — and gave them new genes that would program the cells to attack his cancer. Then the altered cells were dripped back into Mr. Ludwig’s veins.
Number Of Centenarians In Japan Tops 47,000
Number Of Centenarians In Japan Tops 47,000 | Fox News:
'via Blog this'
Quickly graying Japan said it has a record 47,756 people aged 100 or older -- most of them women.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Tuesday that was an increase of 3,307 from last year and four times more than a dozen years ago.
Some 87.1 percent are women. The oldest is 114-year-old Chiyono Hasegawa, who was born on Nov. 20, 1896. The oldest man is 114-year-old Jirouemon Kimura, whose birthday is April 19, 1897.
'via Blog this'
Quickly graying Japan said it has a record 47,756 people aged 100 or older -- most of them women.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Tuesday that was an increase of 3,307 from last year and four times more than a dozen years ago.
Some 87.1 percent are women. The oldest is 114-year-old Chiyono Hasegawa, who was born on Nov. 20, 1896. The oldest man is 114-year-old Jirouemon Kimura, whose birthday is April 19, 1897.
Overweight Is The New Normal Weight
Overweight Is The New Normal Weight | Fox News:
'via Blog this'
A new report issued last week warned us that, if trends in the U.S. waistline continue as they are, 50 percent of our population would be obese by 2030. There are many reasons why overweight and obesity are such problems right now. Some research suggests that we’ve grown more comfortable being overweight and that being overweight has become “normal,” while being of an ideal weight may appear to be “underweight.”
While national surveys show that 67 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, a new survey of 1,000 Americans by Russell Research commissioned by Pollock Communications, showed only 52 percent of Americans believe they are overweight. This lack of reality around body weight and diet is considered to be one of the many barriers in the nation’s growing obesity epidemic. We’ve become more “numb” to overweight and obesity because it’s everywhere; a person who is of normal weight actually appears to be the one who doesn’t fit in anymore.
'via Blog this'
A new report issued last week warned us that, if trends in the U.S. waistline continue as they are, 50 percent of our population would be obese by 2030. There are many reasons why overweight and obesity are such problems right now. Some research suggests that we’ve grown more comfortable being overweight and that being overweight has become “normal,” while being of an ideal weight may appear to be “underweight.”
While national surveys show that 67 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, a new survey of 1,000 Americans by Russell Research commissioned by Pollock Communications, showed only 52 percent of Americans believe they are overweight. This lack of reality around body weight and diet is considered to be one of the many barriers in the nation’s growing obesity epidemic. We’ve become more “numb” to overweight and obesity because it’s everywhere; a person who is of normal weight actually appears to be the one who doesn’t fit in anymore.
Lifelong musicians 'have better hearing'
BBC News - Lifelong musicians 'have better hearing':
'via Blog this'
Playing a musical instrument throughout your life protects your hearing in old age, a Canadian study suggests.
The study, published in Psychology and Aging, carried out hearing tests on 74 adult musicians and 89 non-musicians.
It found a 70-year-old musician's hearing was as good as that of a 50-year-old who did not play.
Action on Hearing Loss said all people - including musicians - should try to prevent hearing damage in the first place.
'via Blog this'
Playing a musical instrument throughout your life protects your hearing in old age, a Canadian study suggests.
The study, published in Psychology and Aging, carried out hearing tests on 74 adult musicians and 89 non-musicians.
It found a 70-year-old musician's hearing was as good as that of a 50-year-old who did not play.
Action on Hearing Loss said all people - including musicians - should try to prevent hearing damage in the first place.
Deep male voice helps women remember, study finds
Deep male voice helps women remember, study finds:
'via Blog this'
Men take note: If you want women to remember, speak to them in a low pitch voice. Then, depending on what they remember about you, they may or may not rate you as a potential mate. That's according to a new study by David Smith and colleagues from the University of Aberdeen in the UK. Their work shows for the first time that a low masculine voice is important for both mate choice and the accuracy of women's memory.
'via Blog this'
Men take note: If you want women to remember, speak to them in a low pitch voice. Then, depending on what they remember about you, they may or may not rate you as a potential mate. That's according to a new study by David Smith and colleagues from the University of Aberdeen in the UK. Their work shows for the first time that a low masculine voice is important for both mate choice and the accuracy of women's memory.
Skynet seeks to crowdsource the stars
BBC News - Skynet seeks to crowdsource the stars:
'via Blog this'
Idle home computers are being sought to help search through mountains of astronomical data.
The Skynet project involves using the spare processing capacity of computers as a giant, distributed supercomputer.
PCs joining Skynet will scour the data for sources of radiation that reveal stars, galaxies and other cosmic structures.
'via Blog this'
Idle home computers are being sought to help search through mountains of astronomical data.
The Skynet project involves using the spare processing capacity of computers as a giant, distributed supercomputer.
PCs joining Skynet will scour the data for sources of radiation that reveal stars, galaxies and other cosmic structures.
Could a robot be conscious?
BBC News - Could a robot be conscious?:
'via Blog this'
If a robot is produced that behaves just like one of us in all respects, including thought, is it conscious or just a clever machine, asks Prof Barry C Smith, director of the Institute of Philosophy.
Human beings are made of flesh and blood - a mass of brawn and bone suffused with an intricate arrangement of nerve tissue. They belong to the physical world of matter and causes and yet they have a remarkable property - from time to time they are conscious.
Consciousness provides creatures like us with an inner life: a mental realm where we think and feel and have the means to experience sights and sounds, tastes and smells by which we come to know about the world around us. But how can mere matter and molecules give rise to such conscious experiences?
'via Blog this'
If a robot is produced that behaves just like one of us in all respects, including thought, is it conscious or just a clever machine, asks Prof Barry C Smith, director of the Institute of Philosophy.
Human beings are made of flesh and blood - a mass of brawn and bone suffused with an intricate arrangement of nerve tissue. They belong to the physical world of matter and causes and yet they have a remarkable property - from time to time they are conscious.
Consciousness provides creatures like us with an inner life: a mental realm where we think and feel and have the means to experience sights and sounds, tastes and smells by which we come to know about the world around us. But how can mere matter and molecules give rise to such conscious experiences?
New emotion detector can see when we're lying
BBC News - New emotion detector can see when we're lying:
'via Blog this'
A sophisticated new camera system can detect lies just by watching our faces as we talk, experts say.
The computerised system uses a simple video camera, a high-resolution thermal imaging sensor and a suite of algorithms.
Researchers say the system could be a powerful aid to security services.
It successfully discriminates between truth and lies in about two-thirds of cases, said lead researcher Professor Hassan Ugail from Bradford University.
'via Blog this'
A sophisticated new camera system can detect lies just by watching our faces as we talk, experts say.
The computerised system uses a simple video camera, a high-resolution thermal imaging sensor and a suite of algorithms.
Researchers say the system could be a powerful aid to security services.
It successfully discriminates between truth and lies in about two-thirds of cases, said lead researcher Professor Hassan Ugail from Bradford University.
September 8, 2011
Prenatal exposure to common chemicals called phthalates linked to brain damage
Prenatal exposure to common chemicals called phthalates linked to brain damage | Dprogram.net:
'via Blog this'
According to the American Chemistry Council, a family of plasticizer compounds called phthlates are fine and dandy additions to everything from wall coverings, flooring, toys, perfumes, shampoos and IV tubes.
In fact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies show average phthalates exposures are below levels set by U.S. federal agencies to be protective of human health. So that means they must be safe and nothing to worry about, but this is not true.
Although the federal government and the chemical industry lobbyists may want you to believe phthalates are innocuous, scientists have found that these widepread chemical contaminants are potent endocrine system disrupters. And now a newly published study by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health links phthalate exposure while still in the womb to changes in the brain and increased behavioral problems in children by the age three.
'via Blog this'
According to the American Chemistry Council, a family of plasticizer compounds called phthlates are fine and dandy additions to everything from wall coverings, flooring, toys, perfumes, shampoos and IV tubes.
In fact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies show average phthalates exposures are below levels set by U.S. federal agencies to be protective of human health. So that means they must be safe and nothing to worry about, but this is not true.
Although the federal government and the chemical industry lobbyists may want you to believe phthalates are innocuous, scientists have found that these widepread chemical contaminants are potent endocrine system disrupters. And now a newly published study by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health links phthalate exposure while still in the womb to changes in the brain and increased behavioral problems in children by the age three.
Marijuana use rising in U.S., national survey shows
Marijuana use rising in U.S., national survey shows - Health - Health care - More health news - msnbc.com:
'via Blog this'
Marijuana is increasingly becoming the drug of choice among young adults in the United States, while use of methamphetamines is waning, according to a national survey of drug use released on Thursday.
Overall, 8.9 percent of the U.S. population or 22.6 million Americans aged 12 and older used illicit drugs in 2010, up from 8.7 percent in 2009 and 8 percent in 2008, according to the survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Marijuana use appeared to be fueling the increase, with some 17.4 million Americans -- or 6.9 percent of the population -- saying they used marijuana in 2010, up from 14.4 million or 5.8 percent of the population in 2007.
'via Blog this'
Marijuana is increasingly becoming the drug of choice among young adults in the United States, while use of methamphetamines is waning, according to a national survey of drug use released on Thursday.
Overall, 8.9 percent of the U.S. population or 22.6 million Americans aged 12 and older used illicit drugs in 2010, up from 8.7 percent in 2009 and 8 percent in 2008, according to the survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Marijuana use appeared to be fueling the increase, with some 17.4 million Americans -- or 6.9 percent of the population -- saying they used marijuana in 2010, up from 14.4 million or 5.8 percent of the population in 2007.
Scientists probe connection between sight and touch in the brain
Scientists probe connection between sight and touch in the brain:
'via Blog this'
Shakespeare famously referred to "the mind's eye," but scientists at USC now also have identified a "mind's touch."
USC scientists have discovered that as you look at an object, your brain not only processes what the object looks like, but remembers what it feels like to touch it as well. This connection is so strong that a computer examining data coming only from the part of your brain that processes touch can predict which object at which you are actually looking.
'via Blog this'
Shakespeare famously referred to "the mind's eye," but scientists at USC now also have identified a "mind's touch."
USC scientists have discovered that as you look at an object, your brain not only processes what the object looks like, but remembers what it feels like to touch it as well. This connection is so strong that a computer examining data coming only from the part of your brain that processes touch can predict which object at which you are actually looking.
Nasa 'will need more astronauts'
BBC News - Nasa 'will need more astronauts':
'via Blog this'
Nasa does not have enough astronauts, even though the space shuttle programme has ended, a report says.
The National Research Council, a non-profit group advising on science policy, said Nasa should increase the size of its space-flying crew.
It said astronauts were needed to staff the International Space Station (ISS) and pave the way for new exploration.
'via Blog this'
Nasa does not have enough astronauts, even though the space shuttle programme has ended, a report says.
The National Research Council, a non-profit group advising on science policy, said Nasa should increase the size of its space-flying crew.
It said astronauts were needed to staff the International Space Station (ISS) and pave the way for new exploration.
Liquor store density linked to youth homicides, U.S. studies find
Liquor store density linked to youth homicides, U.S. studies find:
'via Blog this'
Violent crime could be reduced significantly if policymakers at the local level limit the number of neighborhood liquor stores and ban the sale of single-serve containers of alcoholic beverages, according to separate studies led by University of California, Riverside researchers.
'via Blog this'
Violent crime could be reduced significantly if policymakers at the local level limit the number of neighborhood liquor stores and ban the sale of single-serve containers of alcoholic beverages, according to separate studies led by University of California, Riverside researchers.
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