Tag: Global and Health Briefs | Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Judge Rules for Youths in Climate-Change Trial

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

In a landmark climate case in Montana, a group of young people has emerged victorious. The judge ruled in Held v. Montana that the state's failure to consider climate change when approving fossil fuel projects was unconstitutional.

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Teachers Face Big-Tech Challenges and Opportunities

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the education sector, bringing unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning experiences and teaching assistance.

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Critical Ocean Current May Be Near Collapse

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

According to a new analysis from the journal Nature Communications, the Atlantic Ocean’s sensitive circulation system has become slower and less resilient.

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Birds Using Anti-Bird Spikes to Build Nests

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

Magpies and crows in Scotland, Holland and Belgium are using metal spikes—originally intended to deter bird perching—to build their nests.

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Earth Has Tilted Due to Groundwater Pumping

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

A study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters shows that the pumping of groundwater impacts the tilt of Earth’s rotation and further exacerbates climate change.

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Hair Tapping

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

New methods for cultivating healthy hair growth have been gaining traction amongst young people on social media platforms, including hair tapping, a technique popularized in Korean and Japanese hair spas.

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Yoga for Prostate Cancer Patients

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

According to the American Cancer Society, about one man in eight will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, with six in 10 of these cases in men 65 years and older.

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Fermented Foods for Brain Health

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

Research has shown that eating fermented foods may have long- and short-term impacts on brain function, such as reducing stress.

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Taurine Offers Longevity Potential

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

Taurine, one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, is vital for health of the eyes, muscles, brain and heart.

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N95 Masks May Cause Cardiopulmonary Overload

Sep 29, 2023 08:30AM

For certain people, extended use of an N95 mask may be problematic, and that is what Chinese researchers set out to study in a randomized clinical trial published this year in JAMA Network Open

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Children's Activity Declined Since Covid

Children’s Physical Activity Declined Since Pandemic

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

In a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers found that children’s physical activity has been greatly reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Rise in Children With Autism

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated statistics on the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which has been on the rise.

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Sucralose May Damage DNA

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of North Carolina found that ingesting sucralose may cause the formation of a genotoxic chemical called sucralose-6-acetate.

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Testing Acupuncture for Long-Term COVID

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

Long COVID affects nearly 14 percent of adult patients that had COVID-19. It is characterized by symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks after the initial infection, including fatigue, brain fog and breathlessness.

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Impacts of Radio Frequency Radiation

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

The introduction of 5G mobile phones and infrastructure has given rise to concerns about their safety, as more than 1 million new antennas will be required in the U.S. Currently.

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Lighting-Emitting Technology on the Horizon

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

Researchers from Japan and Germany are developing eco-friendly light devices that use a single layer of organic film mixed with light-emitting materials and an electrolyte.

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Hummingbirds That Don’t Pollinate

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

Every day, hummingbirds must drink nearly their body weight in nectar to survive. Most hover above their food by beating their wings up to 80 times a second and inserting their beaks into the tubes of flowers.

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Global Warming May Threaten Heart Health

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

As temperatures rise due to global warming, scientists are worried about how extreme heat may impact heart health.

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Ayurvedic Cosmetics on the Rise

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda translates to “the science of everyday living,” and it is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine.

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Harvesting Solar Power in Space

Aug 31, 2023 08:30AM

Space-based solar power (SBSP) is the concept of collecting solar energy during a space orbit and beaming it safely to a fixed point on Earth.

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Saving the Dead Sea

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique bodies of water in the world. It is the lowest spot on Earth and home to rich, therapeutic minerals.

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New Species Found in Deep-Sea Mining Zone

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

Biologists have discovered more than 5,000 new species of marine life in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), an untouched seabed in the Pacific Ocean spanning nearly 2 million square miles between Hawaii and Mexico.

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El Niño Is Here

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of a climate pattern across the tropical Pacific.

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Power Walking Innovation

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

Pavegen's sidewalks are made of tile-like triangular platforms. When someone steps on a tile, a flywheel is activated to spin extremely fast, generating power that is sent to and stored in a battery.

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Climate Victory Gardens

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

Green America is encouraging and training people to plant “climate victory gardens” to restore soil health and draw down carbon as a way to help solve the climate crisis.

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Tattoo Science and Concerns

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

While tattoo artists must be licensed to operate for safety reasons, the inks used for tattoos are unregulated in the U.S.

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Colon Cancer Rising Among Young Adults

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

Colon cancer is on the rise in young adults, according to a report published in the journal Science.

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Reducing Pain With Music Therapy

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

After a single music therapy session, the patients reported clinically significant reductions in pain, anxiety and stress.

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Diet May Impact Risk of Miscarriage

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

One in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage. While there are many known causes, including chromosomal problems and infections in the womb, nearly half of pregnancy losses remain unexplained.

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Maximizing Lutein in Green Smoothies

Jul 31, 2023 08:30AM

Research indicates that lutein is essential for eye health, suppresses inflammation and offers cardiovascular health benefits.

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Solar Community Hubs

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

Nearly half of the world’s population is without access to the internet. Dell Technologies, in partnership with Computer Aid International, is addressing the gap for people that might benefit the most.

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Saving the Fading Night Sky

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C., “Lights Out” exhibit is helping people understand that light pollution is a global problem with broad impact.

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Environmental Justice from the White House

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

In April 2023, President Biden signed an executive order to expand the administration’s goals to address persistent environmental injustices involving toxic pollution, underinvestment in infrastructure and services and other harms due to a legacy of racial discrimination.

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Colombia Protects its Birds

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

Colombia has the most bird species in the world—1,966 registered species, or 20 percent of all birds worldwide—and has updated its strategy for protecting this rich avian life.

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Repairing the Planet’s Lungs

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

The oceans, sometimes called the lungs of the Earth, have absorbed 30 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the Industrial Revolution and captured 90 percent of the related excess heat.

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Seniors Want Fewer Prescriptions

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

In a new National Poll on Healthy Aging by the University of Michigan involving adults aged 50 to 80, the vast majority of respondents expressed an interest in cutting back on prescription medications.

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Pilot Program Reveals Benefits of Four-Day Work Week

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

The nonprofit 4 Day Week Global conducted a six-month pilot of more than 2,900 workers from 61 companies in the United Kingdom from June to December 2022 in which the work week was reduced from a standard 40 hours to 32 hours for the same pay and benefits.

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Effects of Cannabis Use Before and After Surgery

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

In January 2023, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine published guidelines recommending that all patients undergoing anesthesia be screened and questioned about cannabis use.

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Mislabeled Melatonin Gummies

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

New research published in JAMA Network found that melatonin gummies may contain far more of the dietary sleep aid supplement than what is indicated on the label.

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Close Relationships May Influence Physical Well-Being

Jun 30, 2023 08:30AM

A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has found that a person’s close relationships may either benefit or undermine physical health.

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Microplastics Released by Tea Bags

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

Most mesh tea bags are made of 20 to 30 percent plastic, which can release microplastics and nanoplastics, causing harmful effects for both human health and the environment.

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Open Letter to Pause AI Experiments

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

A group of leading technology executives, researchers, academics and others from around the world have signed an open letter prepared by the Future of Life Institute calling for a six-month pause on large, human-competitive artificial intelligence experiments.

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Dramatic Drop in Arctic Ice Levels

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

New research published in the journal Nature has found dramatic changes in the composition of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean since 2007 caused by climate change.

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Artificial Intelligence That Can See With the Mind’s Eye

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Stanford University are using artificial intelligence (AI) to decode human brain scans and determine what a person is picturing in their mind.

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Low Vitamin D Linked to Risk of Death

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine determined that vitamin D deficiency increases mortality risk.

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Smartphones Make Poor Babysitters

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

Parents are busy people, often juggling multiple commitments. Add a toddler meltdown to the mix, and it is easy to understand why parents may reach for a tablet, smartphone or other screen to calm and occupy the child.

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Daily Intense Activity Prolongs Life

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

A new study in the journal Nature Medicine suggests that short bursts of intense movement are associated with a lower risk of premature death.

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New Insights on Water Consumption Requirements

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

We have been conditioned to believe that eight glasses of water are required each day, but new research published in Science found that daily water needs vary based on numerous factors.

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Rise in Children With Autism

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

In March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated statistics on the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which has been steadily on the rise.

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Herbs and Spices Promote Gut Health

May 31, 2023 08:30AM

A 2022 research study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that herbs and spices may be unsung heroes in the quest for gut health.

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Ashwagandha May Improve Women’s Sexual Experience

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

Ashwagandha(Withania som- nifera) is a known adaptogenic herb that has been reported to improve sexual satisfaction, sleep and quality of life in women.

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Seniors Avoid the Hospital With Nature

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

New research has found that exposure to natural environments may reduce the risk of hospitalization for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and Parkinson’s disease.

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Reversing Type 2 Diabetes With Diet

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

A Type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis is often regarded as a lifelong sentence and typically treated as such, requiring an increasing number of drugs. However, sustained remission of T2D is now well established.

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Light Therapy for Autoimmune Symptoms

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

Fatigue is often reported as the most disabling symptom for people with autoimmune disorders, significantly impairing their physical, mental and social quality of life.

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Benefits of Water Immersion During Birth

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

Water immersion during labor is an increasingly popular birthing option for healthy women that experience a straightforward pregnancy, labor spontaneously at full term and plan to give birth in a midwifery-led care setting.

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Scientists Invent Battery Made of Paper

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

Scientists have developed a water-activated, disposable, paper battery, according to a proof-of-concept study published in Scientific Reports.

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Exploring the Doomsday Glacier

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

Roughly measuring the size of Florida, the Thwaites Glacier is one of the most rapidly melting ice formations in Antarctica, having retreated more than eight miles since the 1990s.

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Sulfur Shortage Predicted

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

A shift away from fossil fuels and an increase in agricultural demand will cause the demand for sulfuric acid to increase considerably from 246 to 400 million metric tons by 2040.

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Fir Trees Die in Record Numbers

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

According to unpublished research by the U.S. Forest Service reported by Columbia Insight, fir trees in Oregon and Washington died in record-breaking numbers in 2022.

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Using Algae for Industrial Carbon Capture, Food, Fuel and Plastic

Apr 28, 2023 08:30AM

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Honda is experimenting with the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii class of algae they have nicknamed “Dreamo."

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Pomegranate May Offer Skin and Gut Benefits

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

Pomegranate fruit has been widely used in traditional medicine, and a new, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine looked at the effects of taking pomegranate extract for a period of four weeks on different aspects of skin and gut health.

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Exercise for the Brain

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

Researchers in the UK compared the effect that different types of daily movement had on overall cognition, memory and executive function.

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De-Stress With Sauerkraut

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry has shown that eating more fermented foods and fiber daily for just four weeks significantly lowered perceived stress levels.

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Screening Children for Anxiety

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

A common mental health condition in the U.S., anxiety disorder involves excessive fear or worry that manifests as emotional and physical symptoms.

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Possible Links Between Veggie Diets and Depression

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

Plant-based diets have been associated with several health benefits, but not much is known about their effects on mental health.

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Invasive Wild Hogs Pose Numerous Threats

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

There are approximately 6 million non-native, feral pigs in the United States that are destroying crops, native animals and pose risks of giving diseases to humans.

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Gas Stove Pollution Goes Unnoticed

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology finds that gas stoves frequently leak dangerous pollutants into the kitchen.

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Insect-inspired Drones Build Structures

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

Two London-based roboticists, Mirko Kovac and Robert Stuart-Smith, have developed new technology that mimics the way bees work together to build a structure.

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Lowering the Carbon Footprint of Batteries

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

A Swedish battery manufacturer, Northvolt, in partnership with Stora Enso, one of the largest private forest owners in the world, has developed a battery for electric vehicles.

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Rebuilding Coral Reefs With Sound

Mar 31, 2023 08:30AM

Rapid ocean warming and other effects caused by climate change have stressed and degraded corals around the globe, and scientists have been studying ways to rebuild, manage and conserve these vital ecosystems.

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Walnuts to Relieve Exam Stress

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

Stressed college students might benefit by adding walnuts to their diet before their next exam.

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Human-Grade Dog Foods Lead to Less Poop

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

Although human-grade foods for pets are commercially available, little research has been done on their health impacts.

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Supplements That Help the Heart

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

A new study conducted by researchers at Brown University has identified certain supplements that may be beneficial for heart health.

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Wooden Wind Turbines

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

Wind turbines provide one of the cleanest sources of energy; the power they produce is free, helping us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

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Injured Whale Makes Long Journey

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

At the end of 2022, an extraordinary whale named Moon made the 3,100-mile journey from British Columbia to Hawaii with a broken back.

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Crackdown on Musical Bows Made from Rare Wood

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

For centuries, brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) has been used to make the finest bows for classical stringed instruments due to its unmatched ability to project sound.

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First Honeybee Vaccine Approved

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) more than 100 U.S. crops depend on pollination by honeybees and other insects.

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Nations Agree to Protect Biodiversity

Feb 27, 2023 08:30AM

Scientists have warned for years that as forests and grasslands are disappearing at unprecedented rates and oceans are pressured by pollution, humans are pushing Earth beyond tenable limits.

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Gut Microbiome May Influence Obesity

Feb 27, 2023 08:00AM

A new study may shed light on why some people gain more weight than others regardless of diet and activity levels.

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Weighted Blanket for Better Sleep

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

Weighted blankets may be a non-drug option to help ease conditions like insomnia and anxiety by allowing the body to release more melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) at bedtime.

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Mental Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

Add maternal mental health benefits to the well-documented physical advantages that breastfeeding offers to moms and their infants.

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Put On a Happy Face

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

According to a new study led by Stanford University and published in Nature Human Behaviour, positioning our facial muscles into a smile can actually cause us to feel happier.

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Herbal Toothpaste Deemed Safe and Effective

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

Toothpaste containing certain plant-derived extracts was found to be effective in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis, according to a study published in Dentistry Journal.

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Zinc for Colds and Flu

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

A study published in BMJ Open evaluated the use of zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) in adults.

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Earth Friendly, Eco Friendly, Sustainable Living

Finding Hydrogen in Oil Wells

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

Climate change has spurred researchers and companies to develop fuels with zero carbon emissions.

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Alarming Decline of the Hawksbill Turtle

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

Dispersed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the hawksbill sea turtle helps maintain high coral cover on reefs by removing invasive prey.

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Turning Vegetable Waste into Plastic

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

The World Economic Forum estimates that about 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced globally each year and that 98 percent of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels.

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One Step Closer to Fusion Power

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).

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Protection of Sharks and Rays Endangered Species

Sharks Win!

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

In a groundbreaking decision, world governments have awarded increased protections to 54 species of sharks at the 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

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Reforestation is More than Planting Trees

Jan 31, 2023 08:30AM

The United Nations designated 2021 to 2030 the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.

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Senior sitting up in bed in the morning with arms outstretched overhead

Multiple Benefits for Early Rising Active Seniors

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

Older adults that consistently get up early and stay active throughout the day are happier and perform better on cognitive tests than those with irregular activity patterns.

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Illustration of various sources of saturated fats

A New Look at Saturated Fat

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers have found there is no scientific ground to demonize saturated fat as a cause of cardiovascular disease.

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Glass mug full of black tea with spoon in it next to scooper full of loose tea

Two Cups of Tea May Avert Early Death

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

A study suggests that a few cups of black tea a day might help to avoid an early death.

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Glycine and NAC May Delay Aging

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

A new clinical trial found that a combination of N-acetyl cysteine and glycine (GlyNAC) boosted glutathione and improved or reversed many signs of aging.

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Child lying down on parent's lap looking depressed

Parental Depression May Affect Childhood Development

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

Children that live with a parent that has depression are more likely to also develop depression and not achieve educational milestones.

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Sea Soundscapes Help Regrow Oyster Reefs

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

Scientists are amplifying the natural sounds of the sea via underwater speakers to induce baby oysters to swim toward desirable locations for regrowing oyster reefs.

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Diagram of process to remove plastic from ocean

Mechanical Devices Inefficient at Removing Ocean Plastic

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

A study suggests that while mechanical devices like Seabin do remove plastics and other items of marine litter, the quantities can be comparatively low and they may trap marine organisms.

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Medical professional using MRI machine on patient

Our Helium Is Running Out

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

Liquid helium, a nonrenewable element found deep underground, is needed to operate the magnets in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, and supplies are becoming harder to find.

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Farmers Benefit from Harvesting Solar Energy

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

Agrivoltaics, the emerging practice of integrating solar installations with working farmland, can reduce emissions, save water and possibly even boost crop yields.

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School Districts Getting Electric Buses

Dec 30, 2022 08:30AM

A $1 billion effort to electrify school buses will provide renewable fuel vehicles for around 400 school districts, including Indigenous tribal lands, Puerto Rico and American Samoa.

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