Happy habits
Having a “glass half-full” mentality can lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart, and reduce stress and body weight. Look on the bright side by:
1 Turning that frown upside down. The actual act of smiling emits serotonin (the happy hormone) and creates a stimulating, positive environment.
2 Not playing the blame game. Take control of your current situation and be the harbinger of your own success.
3 Exercising to blasts stress. It refreshes oxygen, encourages blood flow, and often gets us outside in the sun (Vit. D).
4 Forgiving and forgetting. Move on, banish the negative, and make way for new, positive chapters
5 Giving thanks. Take satisfaction with the good in life.
Source: activebeat.com
Are you a “catastrophizer”?
Do you imagine everything that could go wrong and focus on worst possible outcome? Experts suggest:
• Accepting yourself. Look for enjoyable ways to challenge yourself and use your energy more positively.
• Taking control. Write down specific concerns. Assess how distressed this possibility makes you feel and its likeliness of actually happening.
• Using the “best friend test.” Ask yourself what advice you’d give your best friend and take that action.
• Learning to self-soothe. Take time to calm yourself before seeking reassurance from others.
Source: getpocket.com
57% of PWDs claim worse mental health since COVID-19.
Source: StatsCan
Pain, pain go away
Endometriosis is an invisible chronic inflammatory disease affecting 500,000 women of reproductive age (average 27.9 years old). It occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus and it can cause infertility. Symptoms are pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, cramping, and heavy bleeding during menstruation. There’s often a five-year delay in diagnosis with seven out of 10 women having on-going endometriosis pain.
Source: AbbviePut
Put a ring on it
Frontline workers and even NBA players are counting on a futuristic titanium ring to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19. Along with daily tests, the ring joins a few other gadgets such as thermometers, pulse oximeters, and a wearable alarm that beeps if you’re within six feet of another person for more than five seconds. The Oura ring is made by a Finnish company and sells for $300.
Source: ouraring.com
The end of deafness?
Researchers are developing ways to retain hearing by altering a person’s genetic code. These genetic treatments could be given to children when they first show signs of hearing loss or before it even begins. Eventually, a single shot could be administered in the womb. But “should we? Does deafness need to be “cured”? Many consider doing away with deaf people as a modern form of eugenics that will destroy deaf culture and lead to discrimination against existing Deaf people.
Source: Future Human
Antibody oddballs
Most species, including humans, make very similar antibodies. But llamas, other camelids and sharks have smaller nanobodies that are more convenient for researchers to work with to study COVID-19. Apparently, nanobodies travel much more easily through body tissues meaning they don’t need to be injected.
Source: Rosalind Franklin Institute
