Twins Born In Different Years

Twins born in different years?

Yes!

One twin born 15 weeks premature, in October 1994; the other twin was born 14 weeks later, in January 1995.

Other "strange but true" pregnancy tales here.

How Chipotle Makes Money

Fast Food at Chipotle.

Secondhand Snoring

You've heard about second-hand smoke, but have you heard of second-hand snoring?

Sleeping with a partner who snores regularly may be detrimental to your long term health. One possible outcome: hearing loss in the ear that's usually closest to the source of the snoring!

image: http://www.newrinkles.com/wpcontent/uploads/2008/09/snoring_snoring.jpg

Cell Phone Elbow

You've heard of texting thumb. Now there's something else to worry about: cell phone elbow. Holding a cell phone to your ear too long puts pressure on the ulnar nerve, which can weaken your arm and make it difficult to type and write. And, women are more likely to get it than men.

Texting, Unlimited

Voice mail seems to be dying a slow death. At the same time, texting is becoming ubiquitous, especially among teenagers.  This has prompted concern from some teachers, parents, and psychologists about the effects of too much texting. 

Side effects of too much texting include psychological anxiety; falling grades; and texting thumbs, a repetitive stress injury.

Texting World Championship @ Yahoo! Video

The Obesity Paradox

Obesity is not good for the heart.  Obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

But obesity is not the only cause of heart disease.  Lean people get heart disease, too.  And here is the paradox: obese patients tend to live longer than lean patients with heart disease.  The reasons are not simple, and researchers are still trying to figure out why.

However, according to this article, "studies also show that whether patients lose weight or not, engaging in regular exercise is one of the best things they can do for their hearts."

image at themedica.com

Worth Its Salt?

The National Institutes of Health recommend a maximum of 2,400 mg of sodium per day for adults - about a teaspoon of salt.  People with high blood pressure are recommended to keep their maximum daily salt intake at about 60% of that.

Researchers at the Center for Science in the Public Interest have found that some restaurant meals can deliver well over the maximum daily recommended dose of salt: an "Admiral's Feast" at Red Lobster contains nearly three teaspoons of salt.  Some menu items at Chili's and The Olive Garden also contained more than 2 days' worth of salt.

Read more on CSPI's article, "Heart Attack Entrees with Side Orders of Stroke."

Image by wastedinthekeys, on flickr.com

Sunscreen

Summer is around the corner, which means it's time to check your supply of sunscreen.  As you probably know, UV light comes in several flavors, none of which are very good for you, but UVB is the one that can directly damage your DNA, which can lead to skin cancer.  Remember, UV"B" is for Bad.

Most sunscreen contains oxybenzone, an organic chemical which absorbs UVA and UVB radiation.  One study found that it can also penetrate the skin where it promotes the production of free radicals when exposed to light.  This led some consumer groups to release lists and lists of sunscreens that contain or don't contain nanoparticles. 

Consumer Reports tests sunscreens for their efficacy in preventing sunburn and found several which are effective.

One that seems to be okay: Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30.  (Effective against sunburn, no oxybenzone)

One to avoid: Coppertone Dry Oil Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 15. (Oxybenzone, nano particles, and does not protect well against sunburn.)

photo: http://www.bertagnolli.net/mandalay.2002.05/sunscreen.jpg

Can we talk?

There is a scientific reason why it helps to talk about your feelings when you are sad, or angry. There's also a reason why hanging around people with "negative vibes" can be bad for you. It's because of your right ventrolateral prefontalcortex and your amygdala.

Activating your right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex helps calm down the amygdala response.

Just thinking about your feelings to yourself and identifying them by name has the same calming, healing effect. Which is why Buddha, who achieved nirvana with lots of mindful meditation, is so chill and mellow.

In other words, talking about your negative feelings takes away the negative vibes you feel. And that's a good thing!

Caffeine is good for your skin

If, this summer at the beach or poolside, you find yourself wondering why that guy just poured his Starbucks Americano all over himself, or why that woman is hooked up to an IV drip of Diet Coke, look at their cancer-free skin and remember that caffeine is good for the skin in two ways. First, it prevents UV-damaged cells from multiplying and becoming cancerous. Second, it acts as a sunscreen.

This is not to detract from the well-established role that regular sunscreen plays in preventing excess sun damage to our skin.

This is zit, sugar!

Good news... and bad news.

Good news: It appears that chocolate doesn't give you pimples.

Bad news: Sugary foods - those with high Glycemic Indices - might.

So if you want to avoid pimples, you might rethink that doughnut-filled white-bread sandwich with potato chip-parsnip-watermelon salad on the side.