Author: healthtost
When I was growing up, all the caregivers in my world were women. The first memories I had of our family when my mother, father and I enjoyed life in our little house in the San Fernando Valley town of Sherman Oaks ended when my father became ill. I was told he had suffered a “nervous breakdown”, which made no sense to a five-year-old, but I felt safe knowing my mother was there to take care of me. There were female caregivers at the preschool I attended, and my kindergarten and first grade teachers were female. My pediatrician was a…
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, many people experience the “winter blues” or, in more severe cases, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition, often caused by reduced sunlight in autumn and winterit can lead to feelings of fatigue, low mood and lack of motivation. The good news? There are practical, evidence-based strategies to help you stay energized and refreshed during the colder months. Here’s how to fend off SAD and keep the winter blues at bay. Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) SAD is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, usually appearing in late fall…
Bringing Gratitude to the Table: A Nutritious Recipe for Gratitude in Every BiteAuthor: Roxane ShymkiwI confess that I am guilty of more than one of these habits – eating food on the run, squeezing in meals between tasks, or eating in front of a screen. However, when we eat, it is one of the best and most consistent opportunities for us to pause, connect and reflect. Food not only nourishes the body but also has the power to affect our mood, spirit and general well-being. When we approach meal times with gratitude, something changes. We go from eating to nutrition,…
An Emory University study, published Friday by Advances in Scienceprovides the first evidence that exposure to higher temperatures during pregnancy is associated with specific biological changes in mothers that are also associated with preterm birth. A team of researchers from Emory University’s School of Public Health and Rollins School of Medicine conducted a new molecular analysis of blood samples from 215 pregnant women living in metropolitan Atlanta whose pregnancies ended in either full-term or preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks’ gestation) and then matched the mother’s address with maximum ambient temperature. This first-of-its-kind analysis found that several natural substances, including…
All cells in an organism have the exact same genetic sequence. What differs between cell types is their epigenetic- meticulously placed chemical tags that affect the genes expressed in each cell. Errors or failures in epigenetic regulation can lead to severe developmental defects in both plants and animals. This raises a puzzling question: If epigenetic changes regulate our genetics, what regulates them? Scientists at the Salk Institute have now used plant cells to discover that a type of epigenetic tag, called DNA methylation, can be regulated by genetic mechanisms. This new way of targeting plant DNA methylation uses specific DNA…
UMERE Laboratory — Dam Research Why shiny, hyperreflective skin is a visual biomarker of barrier thinning—and why controlled acid peels like OUMERE No. 9 produces a stronger, more durable barrier. Summary – “Glass skin” is often presented as an aesthetic ideal, yet a hyper-reflective appearance is not an indicator of health. It is typically a symptom of stratum corneum thinning, lipid depletion, and acid mantle disruption. This article provides a biological analysis of why glass skin represents barrier dysfunction, contrasts it with the results of controlled acid peeling, and explains how OUMERE No. 9 strengthens the integrity of the barrier…
Sugar-based liquid solvents store vital injection-based treatments such as insulin and vaccines. However, the shelf life of these therapeutics changes because the properties of these solvents alter the critical proteins necessary for the treatments under the skin over time. Kennesaw State University Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mohammad Halim has received a three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study protein- and enzyme-based solvents aimed at improving the storage of injectable therapeutics. Halim’s research seeks to find the optimal mixture of eutectic solvents that can store these drugs at sub-freezing temperatures with elements that will not…
Pregnancy is often described as a beautiful journey — but for many women, the first few weeks come with an unwelcome companion: morning sickness. Characterized by waves of nausea and sometimes vomiting, this common pregnancy symptom can range from mildly uncomfortable to downright debilitating. Although it’s usually a temporary phase associated with changing hormones, constant worry can have a real impact on your energy, appetite and daily life. The good news? With the right strategies, it’s possible to ease the discomfort and better manage the ups and downs of morning sickness. What is morning sickness? It’s the pregnancy side effect…
Financial stress isn’t just about math. Money stressors include the mental burden of groceries, childcare, sick days, and what-ifs that wake you up at 2 a.m. American Psychological Associationthe economy ranks as the top stressor for adults starting in 2022 and has only increased in recent years. This aligns with what new parents today feel at the checkout line and when they look at their monthly bills. At the same time, many households still lack sufficient financial resources to cover unexpected expenses. THE Federal Reserve data show that 63% of adults would cover a $400 emergency with cash or its…
Targeting and treating disease first requires being able to find specific cells – which is difficult because they travel around the body and can “hide”. Now, a new round of funding will support advanced technology invented at Case Western Reserve University that enhances the ability to identify therapeutic cells or diseased cells such as cancer. “Right now, we don’t know where all the cells go when tracking cancer cells or cell-based therapies, so we’re not sure what type of processes to target or how treatments might be improved.” Susann Brady-Kalnay, Sally S. Morley Distinguished Professor of Brain Tumor…