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Decreasing Prices on Healthy Foods Can Prevent Thousands of Deaths Every Year (Study)

November 29, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

Basket full of vegetables

If healthy foods are cheaper, we can prevent thousands of deaths per year

A recent study discovered how lower prices could save us. If healthy foods, such as nuts, fruits, and vegetables cost less, we would be able to save several thousands of lives every year. This adds up to the beneficial effect of higher taxes on junk food and high-fat meat. If unhealthy foods cost more and healthy foods cost less, people are more likely to make the best dietary choices.

Making healthy foods cheaper can convince people to take better care of themselves

The study discovered that changing the prices of seven dietary items, both unhealthy and healthy foods, would reduce mortality rates all over the country. These foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, sweetened beverages, and both processed and unprocessed meats. A change of only 10 percent in their price, either up or down, would cut around 23,000 deaths every year.

However, changing the prices even more would lead to an even better outcome. If healthy foods were to cost 30 percent less, and unhealthy foods 30 percent more, then 63,000 deaths would be prevented. Also, around 9.2 percent of all these prevented deaths would be related to cardiovascular and metabolic causes.

These price changes can really reduce mortality rates

Even if it doesn’t sound like a major change, people would definitely be motivated to change their diet if healthy foods were cheaper. Jose L. Penalvo, one of the researchers, explained which changes would have the biggest impact on the incidence of diseases.

“The largest changes were viewed after reducing the prices of fruits and vegetables and increasing the price of sugary drinks.”

Lower consumption of sweetened beverages could decrease the number of deaths associated with diabetes. On the other hand, consuming more fruits and vegetables could reduce the number of deadly strokes. Therefore, the financial part is really convincing when it comes to making people eat healthy foods.

The study has been published in the journal BMC Medicine.
Image Source: Good Free Photos

Filed Under: Health

Using Mouthwash Too Often Puts You at Risk of Obesity and Diabetes

November 24, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

Two bottles of Listerine mouthwash on a table

Using mouthwash too often kills the bacteria which protects us from diabetes and obesity

If you use mouthwash daily, you might want to start using it less often. A recent study developed by researchers from Harvard University revealed that using the product two times a day could seriously increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes and struggling with obesity.

Mouthwash kills both good and bad bacteria

Many people use mouthwash for a better oral hygiene, as some types might prevent the teeth from accumulating plaque bacteria. However, its primary function is to maintain your breath fresh. Dentists say daily use of the product is not mandatory to maintain your oral health, and it doesn’t always keep all the bacteria away.

In fact, the substance might actually destroy some healthy bacteria. By using it too often, you risk killing some microbes which protect the body against obesity and the related diseases. The research revealed that those people who used mouthwash twice per day had 55 percent more chances to develop diabetes in three years.

This is the first study which highlights the bad effects of using this oral hygiene product. The main purpose of the oral solution is to destroy the bacteria in the mouth. However, it cannot tell the good microbes from the bad ones, so they are all annihilated. Therefore, instead of targeting only the harmful bacteria, it kills everything.

Using mouthwash twice a day increases the risk of diabetes

They reached this conclusion after studying 1,206 participants aged between 40 and 65. They were all suffering from obesity and at risk of developing diabetes. Around 17 percent of them developed diabetes before the study ended. However, the chances were of 20 percent for those who used mouthwash daily, and of 30 percent for those who used it twice a day.

The good microbes in the mouth help our bodies produce nitric oxide, which protects the body from diabetes and obesity. However, if these microbes disappear, there’s more room for the bad ones to develop. Therefore, overusing mouthwash doesn’t keep you protected.
Image Source: Pixabay

Filed Under: Health

Any Kind of Alcohol Consumption Can Increase Your Cancer Risk

November 11, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

Bottles of alcohol on a counter

Even moderate drinking can increase one’s risk of getting cancer

If you enjoy drinking alcohol from time to time, it might be better to cut it down, as you put yourself at a great risk. A recent statement released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) states that even a moderate consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of developing certain cancer types.

Alcohol can seriously increase the cancer risk

The researchers at ASCO looked at a series of cancer deaths in the United States, and discovered that 3.5 percent of them were related to alcohol. Also, drinking causes about 5.5 percent of new cancers and 5.8 percent of cancer deaths worldwide.

Women put themselves at huge risks by consuming alcohol. Those who only consume alcoholic drinks rarely have a breast cancer risk higher by 4 percent. Moderate drinking raises this risk to 23 percent, while heavy drinking is linked to a 63 percent risk. This happens because alcohol has the potential to increase the levels of estrogen, leading to tumor growth.

People should stop drinking if they wanted to reduce their cancer risk

Heavy drinking over a long period of time is bad for both genders. Such habits increase the chances of developing any type of cancer by 500 percent. However, the most common cases associated with alcohol are neck, liver, throat, mouth, or head cancer. Also, it doesn’t matter what kind of beverages you prefer, as they all pose the same risk.

What is even worse is the fact that people are not aware of it. A recent survey revealed that over 70 percent of Americans didn’t know that alcohol could increase their risk of developing cancer. If they want this risk to get smaller, then they should start drinking less, and maybe even stop it altogether. Twenty years after quitting, their risk can return to that of a non-drinker.

The statement has been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Image Source: Pixabay

Filed Under: Health

Researchers Managed to Grow Rare Black Truffles in the UK

November 6, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

Black truffles on a silver plate

Climate change now allows the growth of black truffles in the UK

Climate change doesn’t cease to make its effects visible everywhere in the world, but some people seem to find the benefits in these phenomena. Due to serious weather changes, rare black truffles can now grow without problem in Great Britain. These gourmand treats usually require a warmer and drier climate, and value more than £2,000 per kilogram.

Researchers made Perigord black truffles grow in the UK

These black truffles originate in the Mediterranean area, and thrive in the south of France and the north of Italy and Spain. However, a team of researchers from Cambridge and Sterling Universities managed to bring them to Great Britain as well. They collaborated with Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd, a company which specialized in truffle genetics, and discovered they were able to grow the plant in Wales.

They planted a Mediterranean oak whose roots contained spores of the popular black truffles, in Monmouthshire, Wales. In March, a truffle-sniffing dog dug the plants, which were identified as Perigord black truffles, a highly expensive breed which can cost as much as £1,700 per kilogram. Now, researchers think they might be able to harvest the truffles in other places in Great Britain, at the same altitude.

Truffle harvesting is still a difficult process

Climate change had a huge impact on truffle production in Europe. The conditions became less friendly for the plant to grow, which led to the overwhelming increase of its prices. Therefore, researchers have kept looking for possible new environments where black truffles can grow.

“This is one of the best flavored truffle species in the world and the potential for industry is huge,” researchers say.

This latest discovery is major, as the Perigord breed is one of the most appreciated in the world. Therefore, more places where it can grow is always good news. In fact, researchers didn’t expect it to thrive in the UK. Their initial purpose was to look at its survival capabilities.

However, there is one downside to this affair. The process of growth is still difficult, and many farmers might not want to take the risk. Even if the species has been cultivated by humans for such a long time, breeders don’t know much about how it grows and how it interacts with its host-tree.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Tech & Science

Cambridge Posted Stephen Hawking’s Doctoral Thesis Online for Free

October 24, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

stephen hawking

Stephen Hawking dared to ask disruptive questions for the scientific world at the time he was a student. As he didn’t receive any answer to satisfy his curiosity, Hawking created his own contributions. Thanks to his improvements in cosmology, he is now one of the most renowned scientists of all times. Cambridge University Library decided to honor such an academic by publishing his 1966 doctoral thesis online and claim no charge for users’ wish to educate themselves on early theories on the expanding universe.

The Online Version of Hawking’s Doctoral Thesis Made 60,000 Users Crash Servers

The Cambridge Library turned Stephen Hawking’s thesis ‘Properties of Expanding Universes’ into several PDF documents and then made them available for download on its Apollo website. The public was so interested in reading such a historical paper, that servers were put under a lot of stress. Eventually, they collapsed bringing the website down with them as well for a while.

By late Monday, at least 60,000 people downloaded the thesis. Deputy head of research communications at Cambridge, Stuart Roberts, was taken aback by such a massive reaction. Usually, some of the most popular works receive 100 visits on average per month.

This move couldn’t have been possible without Stephen Hawking’s approval. His endorsement came just in time to welcome Open Access 2017. Cambridge University has also promised to follow this success with further free academic works which will be available to anyone. Hawking sent his approval with a word of encouragement addressed to the public.

“By making my Ph.D. thesis Open Access, I hope to inspire people around the world to look up at the stars and not down at their feet.”

As a Young Student, Hawking Detailed the Ramifications of the Expansion of the Universe

Before October 23, Stephen Hawking’s doctoral thesis with the Ph.D. 5437 code was nowhere to be seen in the digital world. Instead, it remained dormant on a shelf at Cambridge. Its physical version covers 100 pages bound in a green cover. For a copy of this document, a person was supposed to pay a fee of $85.

‘Properties of Expanding Universes’ consists of four chapters. These are “The Hoyle-Narliker theory of gravitation,” “Perturbations,” “Gravitational radiation in an expanding universe,” and “Singularities.” The paper followed the ramifications of the expansion of the universe.

Image source: 1

Filed Under: Tech & Science

Families Deny Their Late Relatives’ Wish to Be Organ Donors in UK

October 20, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

organ transplant

At the moment, there are thousands of names on the waiting transplant list in the U.K. However, there are few citizens who take the necessary measures to be registered as organ donors.

A new report found that even though people announce authorities of their decision, their relatives might not allow doctors to extract their organs. Around 505 transplants were canceled in the last five years at the pressure of the deceased’s family.

Hospital Practice Allows the Family to Override the Status of Organ Donors

The National Health Service assessed that 457 English patients lost their lives in 2016 as they were too low down on the waiting list for a transplant. In the same year, 1,413 deceased were registered as potential donors. However, 91 of them didn’t help those in need for a healthy organ as their families denied the procedures.

However, the reason for these rejections seems to have nothing to do with religious believes in some cases. Instead, relatives were under the impression that the process would take too much time. The law allows doctors to respect the deceased’s choice to sign the Organ Donation Register. However, in practice professionals are respecting the decision of the family.

The staff at the NHS Blood and Transplant department contact families whenever hospitals report a dying prospective donor. Nurses check out the information with the Health Resources & Services Administration. Afterward, they encourage family members to grant the wish of their deceased. However, if they don’t consent, no hospital would go through with the transplant operation.

Family’s Influence in This Matter Is Controversial

The views regarding these missed opportunities are diverse among specialists. On the one hand, some look at these rejections as frustrating. These situations stand in the way of hundreds of potentially lifesaving transplants.

On the other hand, other specialists in the field believe a sense of empathy should be in place at these moments. Families are going through a shock when they learn of their loss. Seeing their loved ones as organ donors against their wish could only deepen their grief.

Image source: 1

Filed Under: Health

New Sexual Harassment Claim Leaves Amazon Studios Chief Jobless

October 15, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

yellow locker

Roy Price used to be an influential name across media development medium being in charge of Amazon Studios. Amazon was planning further massive investments in this department to create original content for the television world. However, Roy Price won’t be part of these ambitious plans anymore. A Hollywood producer tackled sexual harassment claims against Price in a recent interview.

Hackett Opens up about Her Sexual Harassment Experience after Two Years

Isa Dick Hackett worked closely with Amazon Studios on the production of two successful TV series. These are “Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams” and “The Man in the High Castle.” However, the recent Harvey Weinstein matter gave her courage to open up about her unwanted experiences regarding sexual assault. Her news led to Amazon suspending Roy Price from media development department.

Ms. Hackett claimed that Mr. Price opened uncomfortable sexual propositions to her. The Hollywood producer lived this negative experience on the very day she met Roy Price. Hackett had to attend Comic-Con event in San Diego in 2015. The goal was to promote the launch of “The Man in the High Castle.”

After the event, the producer joined a dinner with the cast members. However, Price happened to be among them as well. These were the circumstances when the two of them first met. During their dinner, Price invited Hackett to an Amazon party the same night to which she answered affirmatively.

Therefore, Isa Dick Hackett, Roy Price, and Michael Paull shared a taxi to the W Hotel the same day. This was when Amazon Studios head started making indecent proposals to Hackett. His approach was demeaning. Hackett refused his solicitations. She explained to him that she is a lesbian in a happy marriage with children.

Amazon Put Executive Roy Price on Leave After the Story Came out

Despite Hackett showing uninterested, Price continued his sexual harassment during the party. Therefore, she didn’t hesitate to take this incident to Amazon executives immediately.

Upon these accusations, the managers invited an investigator, Christine Farrell of Public Interest Investigations Inc., to help them mitigate the situation. However, Hackett wasn’t present at this meeting. Therefore, the case concluded that Price was never seen at events thrown for Hackett’s productions.

Price declined to comment once the story came out. However, Amazon responded promptly by placing Price on leave of absence immediately. Hackett admitted that the Weinstein story gave her courage to talk about her experience publicly.

Image source: 1

Filed Under: Business

The 2017 Monsoon Season Incentivized US Factory Activity to Hit 13-Year High

October 3, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

lumber factory

The latest hurricanes that hit North America were some of the most vicious phenomena ever recorded. They left behind chaos and unrooted communities. However, after each calamity, people get together to rebuild their homes. The factory activity in September showed the heartiest intensity in the last 13 years. A high wave of orders and raw material price spikes are on their way to regenerate the injured economy.

The US Factory Activity Showed in September the Greatest Intensity Since May 2004

On Monday, the Institute for Supply Management issued its latest survey. The paper offers an in-depth look at the U.S. economy after it received a full blow from Irma and Harvey. The most notable effect is an intense wave of orders across factories last month. Employment across factories reached the highest level since 2011.

The report measured an index of US factory activity of 60.8 points last month. The last time a reading showed such a high performance was in May 2004. When the ISM index raises greater than the threshold of 50, it is a sign of a real boom in manufacturing. This segment alone is in control of 12% of the US economy.

The IRM Survey Managed to Intercept a Positive Sentiment Regarding the U.S. Economy after the Monsoon Season

The ISM noticed the monsoon season disrupted supply chain and pricing balance mostly within the chemical products segment. Nonetheless, beverage, tobacco, and food industries received heavy damages as well. Despite hurricanes’ impact on raw material prices, there was only one in 18 manufacturing industries that failed to record growth in September.

The IRM survey took the pulse of the sentiment the US economy gathered rather than raw data. Nonetheless, entities’ reliability on national finances is a distinct marker of a strong market. The evolution of the economy shows little signs of damages after the recent disruptive phenomena.

The third quarter is expected to have six-tenths of a percentage point dented due to Harvey and Irma as far as the GDP growth is concerned. Hurricane Harvey affected mainly homebuilding, industrial production, real estate, and consumer spending when it hit Texas in August. Irma, on the other hand, generated extensive power cuts starting with Florida in September.

Image source: 1

Filed Under: Business

Scientists Name 15 New Species Of Smiley-Faced Spiders

September 27, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

15 new species of spiders on a green leaf in close up

15 new species of smiley-faced spiders got names inspired by celebrities and politicians.

A scientist, Ingi Agnarsson, and his four undergraduate assistants at the University of Vermont have named 15 new species of “smiley-faced spiders”. The specimens and species all belong to the genus Spintharus, and the researchers were inspired in naming them after people who supported human rights and/or worked in trying to fight back against climate change. These spiders were thus given names like S. berniesandersi, S. davidattenboroughi, S. barackobamai, S. michelleobmai, S. leonardodicaprioi and S. davidbowiei.

The 15 New Species of Spiders and Their Unique Names

The smiley-faced spiders are bright yellow spiders that owe their uncommon name to the smile-like pattern on their abdomens. They were originally thought to be a single species. One that nonetheless had a vast range, spanning from northern North America all the way down to northern Brazil. Many of the spiders live on islands like Jamaica, the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico or Cuba.

A research team part of the Caribbean Biogeography Project or “CarBio” conducted a closer examination of the spiders. In doing so, they found that there were actually many different endemic species rather than a single wide-ranging one. Agnarsson, one of the leaders of CarBio and also a spider expert, had his students perform painstaking lab work and take pictures. He offered them the privilege of naming some of the spiders in exchange for their hard work. CarBio scientists conducted genetic analysis of the spiders, as part of their research.

The Caribbean region has long been known as a hotspot for biological diversity, so the scientists suspected that Spintharus actually consisted of many species. The spiders all look similar to one another, so earlier researchers like Herbert Levi (1921- 2014) had believed them to be a single species.

But the latest DNA analysis has shown that is not the case. Dr. Agnarsson believes that there are still more specimens waiting to be identified, besides the ones belonging to the 15 new species. The results of the current study were released for publishing in the  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Image Source: Wikimedia

Filed Under: Tech & Science

Barn Owls Don’t Seem To Loose Their Hearing With Old Age

September 21, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

barn owls looking towards the viewer

A new study on barn owls noticed that barn owls don’t seem to lose their hearing in old age.

No living thing can stop advancing in age, and one of the drawbacks of aging is a dulling of the senses. Since owls are known for having the most amazing hearing in the animal kingdom, it would seem that a decline of this sense would be crippling. But recent research has indicated that members of one of the world’s most common owl species don’t appear to lose their hearing at all.

Barn Owls and Their Bird Advantage

All bird species need and have superior vision and hearing. Because they hunt in dim and changing types of light, owls, in particular, heavily rely on their keen hearing to detect prey. So it’s fortunate that cells in the inner ears of owls and other bird species can regenerate when damaged.

This is a trick that mammal species are unable to replicate. Elderly birds have been shown in studies to have suffered some hearing loss as part of the aging process. However, this loss is minimal, at least when compared to mammals.

Also, a new study noted that some bird species appear not to be affected by it at all. Recent research conducted at the University of Oldenburg in Germany indicates that aging has no effect on the hearing of barn owls.

Scientists carried out hearing tests on individuals of this species ranging from the very young to the rather elderly birds. These tests had the specimens respond to audible cues, and researchers consistently saw no change in their hearing levels across the spectrum.

What this Advantage Could Mean for Humans

Researchers are hoping that the information gleaned through this barn owls study could be used to help hearing impaired humans. Currently, an average individual can expect to lose a significant amount of hearing, around 30 decibels, between birth and old age.

Still, if scientists manage to approximate and replicate a barn owl’s hearing regeneration in humans, then a day may come when hearing aids are obsolete. So while people may never enjoy the “wisdom” of barn owls, they may get to experience their remarkable hearing instead.

Details on the study and its results are available in a paper in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 

Image Source: Wikimedia

Filed Under: Health

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