Protect Your Health

Could ‘love hormone’ help treat depression?

Marcus Gollan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:52:09 +0000

Gazing into your lover’s eyes isn’t only romantic; it also releases a brain chemical called oxytocin that strengthens social bonds in a variety of species. For some people who suffer from depression, the so-called “hormone of love” might hold out hope. Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine are conducting a clinical trial to study whether oxytocin — the brain hormone released with touches, hugs, or when a mother and her newborn baby bond — might help patients with depression.

“In humans, oxytocin is released when they hug or experience other pleasant physical touch, and it plays a part in the human sexual response cycle,” said Kai MacDonald, M.D., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

MacDonald went on to explain that oxytocin appears to change the brain signals related to social recognition via facial expressions, perhaps by changing the firing of the amygdala, the part of the brain that plays a primary role in the processing of important emotional stimuli. In this way, oxy

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Sugary Drinks May Increase Blood Pressure Risk

Jake Clutterbuck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:05:04 +0000

British researchers say drinking sugary sodas and fruit drinks is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure among adults. The scientists say it’s both the glucose and fructose sweeteners in these drinks that’s behind the higher blood pressure risk.

Simple Wishes Hands Free Breast Pump Bra

Brooke Richmond — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:47:48 +0000

Like many nursing Moms, I used a breast pump to allow others (ie: my husband!) to contribute to the feeding experience by giving our babies a bottle. Although I have not nursed in over a year, I distinctly remember how challenging it could be at times to multi-task while pumping, as I tried my best to use that precious alone time to my advantage to catch up on reading or computer work. I never invested in an appropriate nursing bra, and as a result, always found this task to be a big point of tension as I struggled to secure and balance the pump.

I also never found these nursing bras to be very comfortable or flattering. I’ll be honest, when I was in the privacy of my own home (with no one else around) I would not worry too much about what I was (or wasn’t) wearing! But

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My Munch Bug

Jake Clutterbuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:09:45 +0000

Name: Melanie Potock Business: My Munch Bug

What led you to launch My Munch Bug As a speech language pathologist and “feeding specialist” who works with a variety of kids with significant medical issues, food allergies, syndromes and sensory difficulties as they learn to eat a variety of new foods, I found myself applying more and more of my knowledge to the garden variety picky eater. My Munch Bug serves as the platform for my seminars and speaking engagements at national conferences for preschool staff, therapists and parents who may be struggling with little munch bugs that are stuck in a mire of chicken nuggets and french fries. Lear

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Acupuncture May Ease Symptoms of Menopause

Jake Clutterbuck — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:06:09 +0000

Results from a recent small study suggest that traditional Chinese acupuncture may help reduce the severity of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. In the study of 53 postmenopausal women, scientists found that women who received this type of acupuncture twice a week for 10 week had significantly less severe hot flashes and mood swings than women who were given a sham acupuncture treatment.

The Sun: Not Such a Typical Star

Brooke Richmond — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:21:45 +0000

Astronomers will tell you that the Sun is a typical star but just how true is this statement

Pick up almost any book or go to any website about the Sun and it will almost certainly tell you that the Sun is a “typical” or “average” star. But walk into your back yard and look up the stars you see in, say, StarList 2000 and the Sun seems anything but typical. In fact, it seems to be a bit of an oddity. So how does the Sun compare to other stars?

Let’s consider the Sun’s mass, for example, which is estimated to be about 333,000 times the mass of the Earth. If the Sun is typical or average then surely we should see a fair number of stars in the night sky that have similar masses? But this is

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St. Jude Hospital Shares Pediatric Cancer Genome Project Data Online

Marcus Gollan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:58:08 +0000

Genetics / Net News / Oncology / Pediatrics by Stanley Darma on Jan 17, 2012 • 1:48 pm

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital has launched a website for published research results from its partnership with Washington University in the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP). This project aims to sequence the entire genomes of normal and cancer cells from pediatric cancer patients. By

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AIDS advocates disrupt U.S. Conference on AIDS to say: “Gilead is the 1%”

Marcus Gollan — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:25:14 +0000

Chicago, IL – This morning, dozens of AIDS advocates peacefully disrupted the U.S. Conference on AIDS (USCA) with a protest aimed at drug company Gilead Science Inc. Carrying signs that said “Occupy Gilead” while chanting: “Gilead is the 1%,” the group surrounded one of Gilead’s conference booths, circling it with red ribbon.

Some of the protestors, led by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, also wore masks of Gilead CEO Johns Martin’s face while shouting “John Martin, you think twice: Atripla, lower the price.”

During the action, protestors received “thumbs-up” from the people at the conference who were generally supportive, understanding the urgent need for lower drug prices.

Calling the action “Occupy Gilead” – because the group “occupied” the Gilead booth at the conference—the goal of today’s action was to bring attention to the U.S. AIDS drug crisis that has currently

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Bundle of Joy Babymoon getaway at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa – Arizona

Brooke Richmond — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:57:28 +0000

ABOUT At The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, enjoy the essence of Arizona from the moment you arrive. This inspiring retreat, located in the heart of new Scottsdale and set against the dramatic Arizona skies and picturesque mountain ranges, will fill you with a sense of old Arizona and how it has evolved into the countrys most luxurious destination.

Youve always envisioned your vacation to be perfect on every level, but never imagined a staff so accommodating and facilities so revitalizing and distinctively different. That is The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa experience. So come, wander the grounds of this desert oasis.

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Michelle Marie Fit

Jake Clutterbuck — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:07:59 +0000

Name: Michelle Marie Fit Business: Michelle Marie Fit

What inspired you to open Michelle Marie Fit? I have such a great connection with women and have been blessed with the ability to positively influence them. And being one myself and going through all the different stages of a womans life (bride, pregnancy, postpartum, mom, etc.), I wanted to help them find a way to be fit, feel good about themselves, have confidence and energy and do this all in a BALANCED way. Its tough to be a woman and keep up with society and Life.

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Move-in day goes smoothly at UCLA Santa Monica hospital

Marcus Gollan — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:13:42 +0000

The new UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica officially opened its doors on Sunday as 125 adult and pediatric patients were carefully transported into new hospital buildings on the Santa Monica campus, as well as into the existing Merle Norman Pavilion.

Teams of doctors, nurses and moving specialists transported patients to ensure they were safely and efficiently relocated to the new hospital. The move followed months of extensive planning to prepare the hospital for licensing and occupancy, and to orchestrate the extremely detailed sequence of patient relocations.

Part of a systemwide rebuilding project, the new Santa Monica campus features the UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica; a branch of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA; the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital; and the UCLA Rape Treatment Center. The

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Calcium and Vitamin D Can Help Remove Fat

Brooke Richmond — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:57:58 +0000

Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, which may help one reduce weight. (Cat Rooney/The Epoch Times)

I am a big believer in keeping our diet based on foods that are as natural and unprocessed as possible. For me, the core foods should be meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

I’m not a huge fan of milk since I find it to be a very common cause of problems related to food sensitivity. E

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5 Ways Menopause Can Affect Sleep

Jake Clutterbuck — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:36:20 +0000

According to a report by the National Sleep Foundation, 61 percent of women ages 45-60 say they suffer from some kind of sleep problem, and experts say menopause may be behind some of these sleepless nights. In this article, a health reporter talks about five ways menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes can affect sleep. She also gives advice on how women can better manage these symptoms and get a better night’s sleep.

Do you bribe your kids?

Jake Clutterbuck — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:39:22 +0000

I do. Hes 6 years old and I have been bribing him for awhile now. In fact, Im so elated every December when the holiday bribing season officially begins. I even catch myself using terms similar to homeland security when I tell him its red alert time. Sure, there are more PC ways of describing bribing and Elf on the Shelf is one of the more brilliant ones. Ive heard parents use negotiate or compromise but it really comes down to bribing. In fact, heres Merriam-Websters definition of bribe.

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Greetings of Christmas past.

Brooke Richmond — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:19:29 +0000

Ever since I discovered photography *and* had children of my own to show off, Ive enjoyed sending fun cards to my friends and family. I have decided to decorate one of our long hallways as a time-line of our yearly greetings. While I have all my files out, I thought I would share 2003-2010. Happy Holidays to ALL!

Thanks for looking!

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