A Graph of the Laziest Countries in the World (Hooray! We're Not #1) - Derek Thompson Congratulations, Maltese women: You are the world's most physically inactive demographic! Take a bow. Better yet, take a walk. From country-to-country, inactivity rises with age, is higher in women than in men, and rises in higher-income countries, according to a new study on idleness in The Lancet. Here's a map of the world's sloth, via The Economist. Inactivity might rise with income, but some of the world's most inactive groups are women in countries with barriers to female employment, such as Libya and Saudi Arabia. What about America, the alleged king of couch potatoes?
www.bumblebee.org Home Page Study: Smell May Be Caused by Quantum Vibrations Could quantum physics explain the human sense of smell? A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) lends credence to the theory that our sense of smell is based on sensing the vibrations caused by energy transfer at the subatomic level. The basis of the theory is that the structure of molecules is similar to that of balls held together by springs. When an electron hits a molecule, it loses quanta or discrete packets of energy. This would seem to fly in the face of the previous understanding of smell, which was based on the shape of the molecule — the so-called “lock and key” theory. Further studies using ‘nanowires’ have shown that this kind of molecular vibration can be observed and measured, opening the possibility for high-tech electronic noses. (PNAS via BBC, photo Luke Gattuso)
Science - News for Your Neurons 10 Natural Remedies for Swollen Feet and Ankles Swelling in your feet and ankles is called edema, and there are a lot of things that can cause the problem, from high blood pressure to pregnancy. What’s happening is your body is having trouble fighting gravity to move blood and fluids back up your legs, so your ankles, feet, and even your legs can begin to swell. Edema on its own is not harmful, but it is uncomfortable. If you are seeing one foot or leg swelling a lot more than the other, or your face is swelling, you do want to call your doctor, because the cause could be a blood clot, and you don’t want to wait to address that problem. That uncomfortable swelling is not actually a disorder, just a symptom, and the best way to treat it is to treat the root cause. Whatever the reason, these remedies can help give you some relief while you sort out the cause of your edema. 1. Magnesium deficiency can contribute to edema, and taking a supplement can help give you some relief. 2. Love This? Thanks for subscribing! 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid May Increase Heart Attack Risk - Intelihealth June 11, 2015 News Review From Harvard Medical School – Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid May Increase Heart Attack Risk People who take common antacid drugs called proton pump inhibitors are more likely to have a heart attack than people who don’t use these drugs. The rate of heart attacks was 16% to 21% higher. By Robert H. What Is The Doctor's Reaction? Drugs known as proton pump inhibitors are in wide use. Their popularity is easy to understand. Work well for common conditions, such as peptic ulcers, heartburn (also called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD), and other causes of stomach upset Are considered quite safe (a major reason you can get them without a prescription) Are (relatively) inexpensive (cheaper generic forms have been around for years) But no drug is completely safe. Now there is a new concern. Researchers analyzed the medical records of nearly 4 million people. Here’s what they found: What Changes Can I Make Now? You may be able to take other medications, such as:
You Might Want to Eat More Yogurt to Decrease Social Anxiety by Monica Joshi You are what you eat. That much we know. Researchers from William and Mary joined with the University of Maryland School of Social Work to investigate the possible connection between fermented foods, e.g., yogurt, which contain probiotics, and social anxiety. W&M psychology professors Matthew Hilimire and Catherine Forestell teamed up with University of Maryland's assistant professor Jordan DeVylder to have their research accepted for publication in the August issue of Psychiatry Research. The researchers studied 700 students who took the university's Introduction to Psychology courses in the fall of 2014. Dr. “The main finding was that individuals who had consumed more fermented foods had reduced social anxiety, but that was qualified by an interaction by neuroticism. The not-so-surprising finding was that more exercise was related to reduced social anxiety. The researchers are also planning to soon create an experimental version of the study.
3 Simple Tips for Better Posture With our modern culture of sitting and slumping, our postures are suffering more than ever. Since good posture is associated with a more positive life outlook, and a poor posture encourages pain and higher cortisol levels, it is a good idea to take note of these 3 tips that will help you feel and appear more confident. Roll your shoulders. Sounds simple enough, no? Many of us stand with our shoulders curved forward — so that our palms no longer hang parallel to our sides, but in front towards our thighs. Aim to keep your palms parallel to your side, rather than in front which is a sign that you’re hunching over. Use your butt. Tone your butt with exercises like bridge pose. Don’t force it. Do you sit staring at a screen most days? Yoga Poses for People Who Sit All Day 6 Exercises for Better Posture8 Unexpected Habits for a Longer Life6 Reasons to Eat More Chia