Tag: Global and Health Briefs | Natural Awakenings Twin Cities Page 7

Multiple Sclerosis Patient in Wheelchair Practicing Mindfulness

Consider Mindfulness for Multiple Sclerosis

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Mindfulness training such as focusing on the breath and doing mental body scans may help patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) manage their emotions and process information quicker.

Read More »

Reduce PFAS Exposure to Help Delay Menopause

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)—“forever chemicals” found in non-stick cookware, food packaging and contaminated water—may cause menopause to occur earlier in women.

Read More »

Consider Therapy to Reduce Inflammation

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

An analysis of studies found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and similar approaches reduced inflammation and enhanced immunity in subjects.

Read More »

Boost Fun Nutrition with Microgreens

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers exploring the acceptability of microgreens, a sustainably grown plant bursting with nutrients, discovered that subjects found the greens to be fun, colorful and attractive.

Read More »

Planetary Planning: Keeping Half the Earth Natural

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

A study concludes that if we act quickly and decisively, there is an opportunity to conserve about half of the planet’s ice-free land.

Read More »

Nurses Stand Up Against Climate Change

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Conscientious nurses have formed the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and partnered with Project Drawdown to significantly impact climate change and create a healthier future.

Read More »

Starchy Solution: A Plant-Based Alternative to Plastic

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Manufacturer Kuraray has introduced a renewable and sustainable starch-based barrier film called Plantic. The plant-based packaging material can be recycled or composted.

Read More »

Plastic Rain: Airborne Particulates Blanket Wilderness

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers estimate more than 1,000 tons of microplastics are deposited from the air into national parks and wilderness areas each year.

Read More »

Sea Turtles Attracted to Deadly Ocean Plastic

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

Study finds that loggerhead turtles are attracted to ocean plastic they've confused as food, causing 1,000 to die each year from consuming plastic or getting tangled up in it.

Read More »

Not All Hydroelectric Generators are Created Equal

Aug 31, 2020 08:30AM

A study that analyzed the climate impacts of hydropower generation facilities found that while many release almost no greenhouse gases, some can be worse than burning fossil fuels.

Read More »

Hug a Mate for a Happy Relationship

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

A study finds that the more a couple shares affectionate hugs, kisses and cuddles, the more satisfied they are in the marriage.

Read More »

Eat More Fiber for a Longer Life

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

Research shows that eating dietary fiber from fruits, beans and vegetables protects against death from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and injuries, as well as cancer in men.

Read More »

Toxic chemical pesticides sprayed on field

Avoid Toxic Chemicals to Prevent Celiac Disease

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

Children and young adults diagnosed with celiac disease have been found with elevated blood levels of toxic chemicals found in pesticides, nonstick cookware and fire retardants.

Read More »

Increase Focus by Reducing Saturated Fat

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers discover that eating a meal heavy in saturated fat can hinder the ability to concentrate and maintain attention.

Read More »

Dirt Can Help Heal Wounds

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

A study reports that soil in wounds can activate a blood protein that kicks off a chain reaction which seals the wound and limits blood loss.

Read More »

Eat Spuds for Muscle Protein

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers find that potatoes can be a plant-based source of high-quality protein that helps to maintain muscle.

Read More »

Dinosaur Bone Ownership Resolved

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

The Montana Supreme Court has decided that fossils should not be deemed minerals, a ruling that restores ownership to landowners and benefits scientific fossil hunting by paleontologists.

Read More »

Some Animals Garner Lion’s Share of Conservation Donations

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

A conservation biologist and an artist designed a menagerie of imaginary beasts to find out which animals people were most willing to support through financial donations.

Read More »

Nature Needs More Space

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

All over the world, plants and animals are increasingly threatened by human activities and habitat encroachment.

Read More »

Bumblebees Chew Leaves to Hasten Pollen Production

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

When pollen is scarce, bumblebees use their mouth parts to snip little bits out of plant foliage, causing the plants to bloom at an accelerated rate.

Read More »

Tropical Forests Face Climate Change Risk

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

Tropical forests remove and absorb carbon from the atmosphere, but as trees stressed by global warming die and release their carbon, their ability to act as reservoirs will diminish.

Read More »

Sunflower pulled out of nuclear reactor tower

More Nuclear Reactors on the Way

Jul 31, 2020 08:30AM

The U.S. Department of Energy is spending $230 million this fiscal year to start building two new prototype nuclear reactors as part of an Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.

Read More »

Reduce Cognitive Decline with Tai Chi

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Research shows that practicing tai chi can improve memory, learning, mental speed and attention, the ability to formulate abstract ideas, mental flexibility and visuospatial perception.

Read More »

Reduce Artery Plaque Risk with Berberine

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

A new study concludes that berberine, an alkaloid compound found in goldenseal, Oregon grape, barberry and other herbs, can potentially reduce artery plaque.

Read More »

Eat More Citrus for a Thinner Waistline

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Studies show that eating citrus fruits or their extract can significantly reduce body weight.

Read More »

Turmeric Ginger Black Pepper Osteoarthritis

Try Turmeric, Ginger and Black Pepper for Osteoarthritis

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers find a turmeric extract, ginger and black pepper combination works just as well as the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen, Aleve, in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis.

Read More »

Help Recover from Stroke with Ear Acupuncture

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers have found that acupuncture in the ear can help speed rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Read More »

Boost Motivation with Ayurvedic Bacopa

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Anhedonia—the clinical name for a lack of motivation and inability to feel pleasure in life—can be helped by Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi, an Ayurvedic herb.

Read More »

Avoid Chlorhexidine Mouthwash to Reduce Cavity Risk

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Chlorhexidine gluconate, a mouthwash commonly prescribed by dentists for gingivitis, actually increases acidic levels in the mouth, leading to an increase in cavity-causing bacteria.

Read More »

Forest Loss Leads to Spread of Human Disease

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Viruses like COVID-19 that jump from animals to people will likely become more common as people continue to transform natural habitats into agricultural land, says a new study.

Read More »

Natural Thinking: Spending Time in Nature Increases Cognitive Performance

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Nature may improve cognitive function by improving memory formation and recall, specifically that of short-term or working memory, and goal-oriented or directed attention.

Read More »

Healthy Glow: Ultraviolet Radiation Suppresses Skin Inflammation

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

In research that could help target new treatments for skin cancer, scientists have identified how human skin suppresses inflammation after exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Read More »

Sweet Serenade: Music as Medicine

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Listening to music for 30 minutes a day can lower post-heart attack anxiety and significantly reduce future cardiac risks, reports a new study.

Read More »

COVID Kids: Stress Can Impact Sperm and Future Offspring

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Fear and anxiety brought on by major stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic may have a lasting impact on a man’s sperm composition that could affect future offspring.

Read More »

Mindfulness and Meditation May Promote Longevity

Jun 30, 2020 08:30AM

Mindfulness and meditation techniques have been linked to anti-aging and longevity, as marked by longer telomere length, a biomarker of human aging.

Read More »

Decrease Bone Fractures with Natto

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Natto, a fermented soybean dish of Japan, supports bone health in postmenopausal women by providing protection from fractures.

Read More »

Eat a Plant-Based Diet to Lessen Stroke Risk

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

People that eat a plant-based, vegetarian diet rich in nuts, vegetables and soy may have a lower risk of stroke than others with diets that include meat and fish.

Read More »

Consume Olive Oil to Fight Off Aging

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Research finds that the fat in olive oil increases the life span of cells, supporting the idea that a Mediterranean Diet can prevent age-related diseases.

Read More »

Try Chinese Herbs for Ulcerative Colitis

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

When combined with standard Western pharmaceuticals, Gegen Quinlian decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal mix, proves effective in treating ulcerative colitis.

Read More »

Green Up Cities to Reduce Violent Crime

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Green spaces in cities such as parks, community gardens and tree-lined streets lower the rate of violent crimes, make communities safer and keep people healthier.

Read More »

Maintain a Healthy Gut to Sidestep Colorectal Cancer

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

A study finds that genetic mutations linked to colorectal cancer can be caused by common gut bacteria carried by about one out of five people.

Read More »

Generating Electricity from Rain

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

A high voltage can be generated from raindrops using a field-effect, transistor-style structure, reports a new study.

Read More »

Pest Alarm: Sentinel Trees Give Advance Warning

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Countries around the world are growing “sentinel trees” in strategic locations to receive advance warnings of destructive pests that could destroy native plantings.

Read More »

Mental Relief: Mindfulness Training May Reduce Paranoia

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers have found that just one week of practicing mindfulness—moment-to-moment awareness—reduces feelings of paranoia.

Read More »

Dementia Linked to Air Pollution

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

People continuously exposed to air pollution are at increased risk of dementia, especially if they also suffer from cardiovascular diseases, reports a new study.

Read More »

Tofu Takeaway: Isoflavones Lower Risk of Heart Disease

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Tofu and other foods containing higher amounts of isoflavones are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, especially for younger women and postmenopausal women not taking hormones.

Read More »

Australia Drought Wildfires Climate Change

Down-Under Drought: Australian Wildfires Linked to Climate Change

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Australia’s devastating wildfires during 2019 and 2020 were at least 30 percent more likely to occur because of human-caused climate change.

Read More »

Hot Power: Heat Converted into Electricity

May 29, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers have found how the thermoelectric effect, or converting temperature differences into electricity, can be best used to power small, flexible devices.

Read More »

Ergonomics for Healthy Work from Home

May 28, 2020 12:00AM ● By Lori Kurszewski

Some simple ergonomic upgrades can help at-home workers be more comfortable, leading to more energy, better sleep and the ability to get through their days with less aches and pains.

Read More »

Exercise to Boost Sperm Quality

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

A new Harvard study of young sperm donors reports that men that exercise more have better sperm quality.

Read More »

Consume Date Vinegar to Boost Heart Health and Reduce Inflammation

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

Consuming vinegar made from date pulp and pits can significantly improve total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride and HDL levels, as well as several biomarkers of inflammation.

Read More »

Tuck Kids In Early to Reduce Depression and Cognitive Issues

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

Fewer than seven hours of sleep for a child is linked to anxiety, depression, impulsiveness and cognitive difficulties and also impacts a child’s brain structure.

Read More »

Take Quercetin to Reduce Blood Pressure

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

Supplementation with quercetin can significantly reduce both diastolic and systolic blood pressure as well as improve HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Read More »

Eat Less Sulfur Amino Acids to Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

A plant-based diet low in such sulfur amino acid foods as meat, dairy, nuts and soy may be key to lowering the risk of heart disease.

Read More »

Watch Out: Rapid Weather Changes Boost Flu Risk

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

Rapid weather swings as a result of climate change raise the risk of flu virus infections and epidemics, reports a study.

Read More »

Passing Gas: Seaweed Lowers Cows’ Methane Emissions

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

If Australia can grow enough of the puffy, pink Asparagopsis taxiformis seaweed for every cow in the country, they could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent.

Read More »

Charging Ahead: New Batteries From Fruit Waste

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

Biowaste from durian fruit and jackfruit scraps is a possible candidate to create next generation, high-performance, yet low-cost supercapacitors for energy storage devices.

Read More »

Buzz Off: Bee Swarms Form Giant Brains

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

New research suggests that individual members of a bee swarm behave like neurons in a human brain.

Read More »

Life Perseveres: New Bird Species Found on Remote Island

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

Five new songbird species and five new subspecies have been found on a single small island near Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Read More »

Jolly Good: King of Bhutan Requests Selfless Gift

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

For his 40th birthday, the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, asked his people to either plant a tree, adopt a stray animal or clean up their neighborhood in his honor.

Read More »

Financial Fix: Great Britain Coal Use Falls With Carbon Tax

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

A tax on carbon dioxide emissions in Great Britain has led to the proportion of electricity generated from coal falling from 40 percent to 3 percent over six years.

Read More »

Wild Things: Wildness a Big Factor in Urban Parks

Apr 30, 2020 08:30AM

A study finds that wildness in urban areas is profoundly important for human well-being, impacting both physical and mental health.

Read More »

Take Echinacea to Reduce Anxiety

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Echinacea angustifolia root extract may be helpful for situation-induced anxiety, indicates a new study.

Read More »

Consume Grape Seed Extract to Improve Cholesterol and Lower Inflammation

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Grape seed extract significantly improves both total and LDL cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, and lowers markers of inflammation.

Read More »

Breathe Cleaner Air to Help Bone Health

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM ● By Rachael Oppy

Air pollution has long been linked to lung cancer, stroke and respiratory disease, and now research has found that it can lead to osteoporosis, as well.

Read More »

Try Pine Bark to Improve Erectile Function and Cholesterol

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Erectile dysfunction, an early diabetic indicator, responds to treatment with pine bark extract, researchers report.

Read More »

Eat Better to Cut Healthcare Costs

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Poor diets and eating habits account for almost 20 percent of heart disease, stroke and diabetes costs in the U.S.

Read More »

Coal Costs: Closing Plants Saves Lives and Crops

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Between 2005 and 2016, the shutdown of coal-fired plants in the U.S. saved an estimated 26,610 lives and the equivalent of around 570 million bushels of corn, soybeans and wheat.

Read More »

Plastics Adios: Mexicans Return to Old Ways After Ban

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

A new law bans popular plastic bags in the Mexican capital, as well as handing out plastic straws, spoons, coffee capsules and other single-use items by 2021.

Read More »

Cool Solution: Biodegradable Cooler Keeps Food Cold and Dry

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Igloo has introduced a new, biodegradable cooler made out of paraffin wax and recycled tree pulp called Recool.

Read More »

Hot Spots: Climate Change City Index for 2050

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

Temperature changes, water shortages and rising sea levels will impact some of the world’s most populous cities during the next 30 years.

Read More »

Roundup Redux: Organic Standards Clarified for Hydroponics

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

The USDA has closed a loophole that allowed farmers to spray soil with Monsanto’s glysophate to clear weeds prior to building a “certified organics” hydroponics greenhouse.

Read More »

Nutty News: Eco-Sunscreen Made from Cashew Shells

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

A “green” sunscreen has been synthesized from discarded cashew-nut shells, providing good UVA and UVB absorbance, which can protect from harmful rays from the sun.

Read More »

Unsafe Sipping: Widespread Drinking Water Contamination Found

Mar 31, 2020 08:30AM

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found contamination of U.S. drinking water with manmade “forever chemicals” to be much worse than estimated.

Read More »

Take Folic Acid to Reduce Stroke Risk

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers found that patients with cardiovascular disease who supplemented with folic acid (vitamin B9) reduced their risk of stroke by 15 percent.

Read More »

Balance Water Consumption for Cognitive Health

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Drinking either not enough or too much water can decrease cognitive performance in older women, Penn State University researchers have reported.

Read More »

Practice Yoga to Help the Brain

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Research shows that practicing gentle hatha yoga can strengthen the brain and help grow new neurons, similar to the effects aerobic exercise can have on the brain.

Read More »

Catch Some Rays to Boost Gut Health

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Evidence is emerging of a skin-gut axis that links UVB exposure to the microbiome, a finding that has implications for those suffering from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Read More »

Cut Back on Sugar and Carbs to Improve Sleep

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers find women who consume a diet high in refined carbohydrates—particularly added sugars and processed grains—are more likely to develop insomnia.

Read More »

Green Flying: First Commercial E-Plane Makes History

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Canada-based Harbour Air has launched the first successful test flight of an all-electric aircraft.

Read More »

Waste-to-Energy ‘Matterhorn’: Sustainable Power With a Recreational Bonus

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Copenhagen has dramatically refashioned the look and function of a power station with Copenhill, a waste-to-power plant that powers homes and includes a ski slope, a climbing wall and more.

Read More »

Viva Agave: Tequila Waste Turned into Bio-Straws

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Tequila maker Jose Cuervo has initiated an eco-friendly process of salvaging the leftover agave fibers from its distilling process and upcycling them into biodegradable drinking straws.

Read More »

Sunscreen Sanction: Palau Bans Chemicals to Save Reefs

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Palau is the first country in the world to ban ecologically harmful sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Read More »

Instant Home: 3D-Printed Buildings on the Rise

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

3D-printing techniques are being used for building houses with the benefits of lower costs, less waste and reduced construction time.

Read More »

Soothing Scents: Smells of Nature Lower Physiological Stress

Feb 28, 2020 08:30AM

Researchers find that natural scents can help to reduce stress.

Read More »

Differences in Collagen Types

Feb 01, 2020 12:00AM ● By Alina Hornfeldt

Collagen is the building blocks of skin. It helps us heal, boosts skin elasticity, and forms cartilage. But which of these five collagen types reduces wrinkles or relieves joint pain?

Read More »

Practice Qigong Massage to Improve Autism Symptoms in Children

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Qigong, a traditional Chinese massage technique and movement practice, may offer hope for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Read More »

Use Probiotics to Reduce Bone Loss and Newborn Infections

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Studies show that probiotics can help with bone loss in postmenopausal women as well as gut infections in newborns.

Read More »

Use Pumpkin Seed Oil to Dodge Hypertension

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Postmenopausal women are more likely to develop hypertension than men their age, but taking pumpkin seed oil daily may head off that condition.

Read More »

Get Nutritional and Antifungal Benefits from Celery

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Celery has some of the highest levels of antifungal properties, as well as high levels of nutritional lipids, protein, vitamin C, copper, zinc and phosphorous.

Read More »

Try Mind-Body Options to Reduce Opioid-Treated Pain

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Research finds that certain mind-body therapies significantly reduce pain and the use of opioids in people suffering from acute pain.

Read More »

Consider Vitamins to Reduce Eczema Severity

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Study concludes that supplementing with vitamin D3, vitamin E or vitamin B12 cream can reduce symptoms for patients with moderate to severe eczema.

Read More »

Clear Thinking: UNESCO Adopts Resolution on Earth Charter

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reaffirms the importance of the Earth Charter as an ethical framework for sustainable development.

Read More »

Seal Deal: Fishermen Protect Endangered Sea Mammals

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

In 1969, there were only 100 South American fur seals and sea lions along the coastline of Lima, but that has increased to more than 8,000 today, thanks to local fishermen.

Read More »

Thump Thump: Trees Exhibit ‘Heartbeat’

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Scientists have detected a previously unknown periodic movement in trees raising and lowering their branches, similar to the pumping action of a heartbeat.

Read More »

Soot Cities: Alaska Battles Air Pollution

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Alaska, which has some of the most pristine environments in the U.S., also has some of the worst air quality in its cities.

Read More »

Green Horizons: A Billion Trees in Eight Years

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

Toronto startup Flash Forest is using aerial drones to plant trees 10 times faster than human planters with a goal of 1 billion trees by 2028.

Read More »

Climate Check: New Label Verifies Carbon Neutral Products

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

A new Climate Neutral product label is helping consumers identify brands that practice sustainable processes.

Read More »

Water Win: Fresh H20 Comes to Kenya Town

Jan 31, 2020 08:30AM

A drought-plagued Kenyan region is using a new, solar-powered, desalination plant from the international nonprofit GivePower to obtain clean water.

Read More »

Calorie Counting Does Not Work

Jan 01, 2020 12:00AM ● By Erin Thole

Achieving a healthy body is not as simple as calories in and out. There are many factors to consider, such as food sensitivities, thyroid function, hormonal imbalances, and gut health. Read More >>

Read More »