Clenching fists "can improve memory"

Lead scientist Ruth Propper, of Montclair State University, said that clenching the right hand for 90 seconds helps in memory formation, while the same movement in the left improves memory recall, say US psychologists. The researchers think clenching a first activates specific brain regions that are associated with memory processing.

In an experiment, 50 adults performed better at remembering words from a long list when they carried out these movements.

Future research will examine whether hand clenching can also improve other mental processes, for example verbal or spatial abilities, and memory of pictures and places, as well as words.

In my opinion, I've been particularly impressed about this information I've just learned. It is maybe one of the news I have done this year that has surprised me the most. I can't realise that clenching 90 seconds my right hand helps me in memory formation. I believe it's a good investigation and experiment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22270716

Pregnancy advice 'scaremongering'

Pregnancy is a huge, lige-changing period in a woman’s life and there is no shortage of advice about what is best for your unborn child. But Linda Geddes, the author of Bumpology, argues this can sometimes be misleading and scaremongering.

Expectant parents are bombarded with advice about what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Pregnant women mustn’t eat too much as it may raise the baby’s risk of obesity or diabetes, but they mustn’t diet as that could have a similar effect. Neither should they exercise for fear of triggering a miscarriage, or get too stressed out because that’s bad for the baby too. You might start to think that staying at home would be the sensible thing to do, only this too is ridden with potential dangers for your unborn child: from ice-cream, to pet shampoo, to hair dye.

“When I fell pregnant three years ago, I felt paralyzed and somewhat patronized by all the conflicting advice out there. So began a quest to investigate the truth behind the old wives’ tales, alarming newspapers headlines and government guidelines, and to probe deeper into the inner world of the developing child. So Bumpology was born.”

In my opinion, Linda Geddes has done a really good job and has been really worried about her child’s life and his healthy. I admire her to worry so much for her baby, and also to advice in news that other mothers don’t have to do everything that other people say, they only have to look for the secure advices and enjoy their life with their baby.

I’ve never been pregnant, because I’m young, but I can’t imagine what a mother can worry about their son. It has to be amazing and also, when he/she borns, the preoccupations start at the same moment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20891997

How to tackle unsafe drinking

Drinking too much is bad for you. But too many people underestimate what is a safe amount of alcohol.

Dr Nick Sheron, a liver expert at the Univeristy of Southampton, explains why we need a blood test to alert people to the harm they could be doing to their body.

We have a serious problem with liver disease in the UK.

Around a quarter of the UK population are drinking too much, but may not realize it, and GPs have an important role to play here. Liver disease develops silently. There are no signs or symptoms – the liver has no pain fibers, until disease is very far advanced. By the time the patient presents to hospital the liver is often very scarred. Even if the patient stops drinking entirely at this point, it may be too late and many people die of liver complications over the next year or so.

Now they have a simple blood test, which we call the Southampton Traffic Light test. The result comes in three colors: red, green and amber.

Is incredible how the % has increased in these lasts years, on people drinking alcohol. I agree that doctors have an important paper for the UK to inform all the population, but I also believe that people don't listen or don't pay attention on the important things, like your life! They may think that they wouldn't be ill. In any case, I am not anyone to discuss it because everyone has their own problems, and I also want to say that the new simple blood test is really good to differentiate the level of the disease.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19318323

Ghana: People With Mental Disabilities Face Serious Abuse

People with mental disabilities suffer severe abuses in psychiatric institutions and spiritual healing centers in Ghana, Human Rights Watch said in a report. The Ghanaian government has done little to combat such abuse or to ensure that these people can live in the community, as is their right under international law.

The 84-page report, based on more than 170 interviews with people of different situations, describes how thousands of people with mental disabilities are forced to live in these institutions, often against their will and with little possibility of challenging their confinement. In psychiatric hospitals, people with mental disabilities face overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, face stigma and discrimination and often lack adequate shelter, food, and healthcare. People who are institutionalized in prayer camps, the prophets seek to “cure” residents through miracles, consultation with “angels,” and spiritual healing.

“The government needs to take immediate steps to end abuses against people with mental disabilities in institutions, prayer camps, and the community,” said Medi Ssengooba, Finberg fellow at Human Rights Watch. “The conditions in which many people with mental disabilities live in Ghana are inhuman and degrading.”

Under this convention, countries must undertake steps to ensure that people with mental disabilities can make important life decisions for themselves.
The government should create community-based support services, including housing and healthcare. The government should also ensure that people are not forcefully detained in these facilities or in psychiatric hospitals and that they have access to mechanisms to challenge any violations of their rights.

In my country the situation is different, but I’m not sure about that and how these psychiatric centers are organized. I’ve never been in one of those, but I hope it’s different from this country and that the government enforces laws in these centers.

I’m not sure about myself to do something to change the situation, because I have no experience in almost anything about this world of human rights, but I’m sure that I could do something if someone wants that I help him/her.

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/31/ghana-people-mental-disabilities-face-serious-abuse

Apple Shop muddle prompts new name for Wroxham Barns store

A Norfolk business called the Apple Shop says it has had to change its name after becoming inundated with complaints about iPhones and iPads.

The shop, at Wroxham Barns that was opened 20 years ago by Mr Fisher’s brother (1987), said it had received up to 24 calls a week since the technology giant opened a store in Norwich in 2009. Owner Geoff Fisher, who sells cider and juice, said it was amusing at first, but some callers had been rude.

Ha said the shop would be renamed The Norfolk Cider Shop from Easter, adding that Apple had not forced him into the change and he had “a lot of respect” for the company.

This news has impressed me a lot. At the first read of the title I just laughed because what an amazing power Apple’s company has nowadays. And also I was surprised because the average calls per week were quite high. I’m sorry that the poor man has had to change the name, but sometimes the call, as he says; it was fun, within the unpleasant.

Vet makes tiny wheelchair for disabled piglet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBmQNaThr0Y

A month-old piglet from Florida, born without the use of its back legs, is now sporting a custom-built wheelchair to get around.

Chris P. Bacon has become an internet sensation after vet took pity on the creature’s plight and built the contraption from a toy building kit.

Chris’s exploits on Youtube have logged more than 474000 views in two weeks.

I have been really impressed of this happened, because it isn’t really frequent that a piglet has borned without its back legs. Piglet’s family and caregivers might be like a toy for them and also they might love them because they are tacking car for it all the time.

On one hand, it has to be a nice animal and nice, but for the other hand, it has a large expenditure of money, especially to adapt the wheelchair every year, and their stay in house. 

Coca-Cola drinking 'linked to New Zealander's death'

Drinking large quantities of Coca-Cola was a “substantial factor” in the death of a 30 year-old woman in New Zeland, a coroner has said.

Natasha Harris, a mother of eight children and who died three years ago after a cardiac arrest, drank up to 10 liters of the fizzy drink each day (this is twice the recommended safe limit of caffeine and more than 11 times the recommended sugar intake). Her family said she had developed an addiction to Coca-Cola and her teeth had been removed because of decay.

Coroner David Crerar said her Coca-Cola consumption had given rise to cardiac arrhythmia, a condition when the heart beats too fast or too slow.

Mr Crerar said Coca-Cola could not be held responsible for the health of consumers who drank excessive quantities of its product. But he called on soft drinks companies to display clearer warnings on their beverages about the risks of too much sugar and caffeine.

In my opinion, I think this woman didn’t thought about her healthy or her way of being, because firstly he drank a lot of liters a day, and then if all of them were fizzy drink, she might be an extremely nervous person. Unfortunately, for those eight children, her mother had gone away, but they can change their lifestyle if they were following their mother’s way. They have learnt about this nasty experience.

I’m a person who loves Coca-Cola and I’m sure I will never be addicted to it like her, but is sure that it is attractive when you drink and you want more and more. I just hope that anyone won’t end like this, and I don’t think that Coca-Cola’s company have the fault of this happened. 

Coca-Cola addresses obesity in TV advert

Fizzy-drink giant Coca-Cola has launches an advert addressing obesity for the first time on television. The two-minute commercial highlights the firm’s record of making low-calorie drinks and reminds viewers all foods contain calories.

New York City is preparing to ban large sugary drinks in restaurants, cinemas and stadiums. Still, Coca-Cola has said the video wasn’t made in response to criticism of the soft drink industry, but is an effort to raise awareness.

The general manager of sparkling beverages for Coca-Cola North America, told: “There is an important conversation going on about obesity out there, and we want to be a part of the conversation”.

In the advert, a female narrator says Coca-Cola offers smaller portion sizes, is working to make better-tasting, low-calorie sweeteners and has voluntarily made lower-calorie drinks available at school. The video also adds: “All calories count, no matter where they come from. If you eat and drink more calories than you burn off, you’ll gain weight.”

I’m a person who can consider a bit addicted to Coca-Cola, because I love its smell, its tasting, and all of it, and I also was fascinated about its advertisements. However, I’m surprised with this news because I haven’t seen it, but I think it was a little bit strong about what it said, and also about saying: “all calories count, no matter where they come from”. All of us know that Coca-Cola wears calories but we don’t need that the same product repeats us that we are becoming more weight drinking its product.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21020749

Donated genetic data privacy risk

Researchers have identified people in the US who anonymously donated their DNA for use in medical research, raising concerns about privacy.

There is a strong link in men between their surname and unique markings on the male, or Y, chromosome. These genetic markings are a useful tool when investigating a family tree as they are passed from father to son.

This project consists in 1000 genomes and it contains the entire genetic code of volunteers who donated their DNA anonymously.

One of the researchers said: “this is an important result that points out the potential for breaches of privacy in genomics studies, that more knowledge empowers participants to weight the risks and benefits and make more informed decision, and finally we also hope that this study will eventually result in better security algorithms, better policy guidelines, and better legislation”.

In an accompanying editorial Eric Green says there needs to be a balance between the rights to privacy of those taking part in research and the benefits to society to be gained from the sharing of biomedical research data.

In my opinion, I think it has been a great investigation because we would advance more in security algorithms, in legislation and also we would be more informed, but I’m also agree with Eric Green, because in many occasion the investigation might be grateful, but we mustn’t forget the privacy of the volunteers who made possible this research.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21056647

People! Zara commits to go toxic-free

Greenpeace compaigners wanted to eliminate releases of hazardous chemicals from Inditex group's supply chain and clothes, in 2011. Now, Zara has committed to eliminate this chemical. Those are good news for the environment and it's also important for consumers to know who they can trust. 

In my opinion, I didn't realise that in clothes could be so many chemicals and even the worst ones. With this news I believe that Greenpeace compaigners have done a really good job and not only for the environment, that is important, but also a breakthrough for the publc information, and they're going to get rid of some of those chemicals group.

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/Zara-commits-to-go-toxic-free/

First liver cancer 'chemo-bath' in the UK

A “chemo-bath” which delivers toxic cancer drugs to just one organ in the body has been used on patients in the UK for the first time.

Chemotherapy drugs kill rapidly growing cells such as cancers, but they also attack healthy parts of the body, rather than just the tumor. These drugs are normally injected into the veins of the patients. It results in side effects such as fatigue, feeling sick, hair loss and damage to fertility.

Doctors believe targeting just one organ can prevent side effects. They also say it means they can give higher doses without causing damage to the patient.

Now, two patients in the UK have received chemotherapy focused on just their liver. The operation works by inflating balloons inside blood vessels on either side of the liver to isolate it from the rest of the body. The liver is then pumped full of chemotherapy drugs, which are filtrated out before the liver is reconnected to the main blood supply. It means only a tiny fraction of the chemotherapy dose ends up in the body.

Dr Brian Stedman suggested that any organ which could be easily separated from the blood supply, such as the kidney, pancreas and lungs, would be suitable for this kind of approach. However, he said the method was “in its infancy” and he was “not sure this is the finished product or the end of the story”.

I'm really proud of this move forward because we know that cancer is a terrible desease that some people couldn't exceed it and a lot of people is keeping it. Although, this doctor said that this method is in its infancy, is a light for a lot of people who is ill and a lot of scientists who are studying about this and to improve it, too. I really hope in few years they could have a quite good and sure method to kill cancer just on the affected organs. 

When I saw and read this news I was really impressed for this advance and because few months ago I was thinking to be, in the future, an investigator of cancer cells. I don't want to be now, but it also interests me because is really  usefull for our future descendents and also arouse me something to investigate or to be something related in this world of science. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-20270400

Denmark to abolish tax on high-fat foods

The Danish government has said it intends to abolish a tax on foods which are high in saturated fats. The measure was believed to be the world’s first so-called “fat tax”. Foods containing more than 2.3% saturated fat were subject to the surcharge. But authorities said the tax had inflated food prices and put Danish jobs at risk.

The Danish tax ministry said it was also cancelling its plans to introduce a tax on sugar. The ministry said one of the effects of the fat tax was that some Danes had begun crossing the border into Germany to stock up on food there.

Nowadays 47% of Danes are overweight and 13% are obese.

The tax was introduced in October 2011, however, the decision to get rid of the tax was agreed as part of the center-left minority government‘s budget negotiations.

On the one hand, I agree with the government to abolish a tax on foods wich are saturated, even if the population needs it for their healthy. But on the other hand, they can eat what they want so they are responsible of their wieght anf healthy, and the government doesn't have to inflate fat foods. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20280863 

Healthy eating for teenagers

Teenagers’ diets should sustain growth and promote good health. During this time, a number of physiological changes occur that affect nutritional needs, including rapid growth and considerable gains in bone and muscle (especially in boys). This is also a time when teenagers begin to develop real independence from their parents and they often choose food in response to peer pressure or as an act of defiance against parents. As a result of a nutrition survey, the average consumption teenagers reveal that they eat a lot of saturated food, calories, sugar and salt, while starchy carbohydrates and fiber is low in their diets.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional. Rapid growth, coupled with a fast lifestyle and poor dietary choices, can result in iron-deficiency anemia. The survey also highlighted that teens had a calcium intake below the recommended level, which has serious implications for their future bone health. The teenage years are very important to development of the bones. The richest source of calcium in most people’s diet is milk and dairy products.

Ideally, foods in the diet should be rich energy and nutrients: plenty of starchy carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, chapatis, couscous and potatoes); plenty of fruit and vegetables; two to three portions of dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheeses); two servings of protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans and pulses); not too many fatty foods; limit sugar-rich food and drinks; and an important point would be take regular exercise.

A consequence of this lifestyle is that women are dissatisfied with their weight. And another important consequence caused by fatty and sugary foods is acne.

In my opinion, I agree with this news because it’s all true. Apart of the survey, all of us, teenagers, eat what we like if you can’t look fat or if it’s harmful for yourself. In my case I try to do a healthy diet in my way, or making my own meals to keep a fit body and a healthy way of life, but sometimes the wishes can be much more than your strength, so I also eat fatty food, but not a lot. I sometimes eat sugar and carbohydrates because I’m a person who likes food and sample it. However, it’s so difficult for a busy person, even if this person studies, like me, and has a busy life. I try to combine the school, the diets, the exercise, the private life, etc., but sometimes you can’t and you eat what you want to vent you.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/treatments/healthy_living/nutrition/life_adolescence.shtml 

Ovulation hormones make women 'choose clingy clothes'

Women are more likely to select clingy clothes when they are ovulating. But the University of Minnesota, study of 100 women, found these hormonal shopping habits were triggered by the proximity of attractive women. Women at different stages of their menstrual cycle were shown images of attractive women living locally or far away. Then, they were asked to choose clothes and accessories which they would like to buy. As a result, women who were ovulating and who had seen photos of attractive local women were most likely to buy “sexier” clothes than those shown photographs of unattractive women.

Dr Kristina Durante, who led the research, said: “The desire for women at peak fertility to unconsciously choose products that enhance appearance is driven by a desire to outdo attractive rival women. If you look more desirable than your competition, you are more likely to stand out. In order to entice a desirable mate, a woman needs to assess the attractiveness of other women in her local environment to determine how eye-catching she needs to be to snare a good man”.

Dr George Fieldman, a London-based psychotherapist, said: “What this study reveals is that people are only semi-conscious of the underlying reasons behind the choices they make in the context of buying sexy clothes”.

This news is quite interesting for me, mainly because I’m a girl and I didn’t know or realize didn’t about this. In my case, I can’t investigate for myself the reason of buying certain clothes, because I don’t live in a city and I don’t go shopping every week, but if I could, I would try if I buy more having menstrual cycle than not. However, what I’ve done, that also it is mentioned on the news, is that I sometimes have followed a famous girl for her way of dress up. And also, asses the attractiveness of other women in the same place that determine the eye-catching of a pretty man I like.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10878750 

Britain's oldest man marks 110th birthday

Britain’s oldest man is celebrating his 110th birthday.

Mr Dean, who was born in Tunstall, Staffordshire, on 4 November 1902, says the secret of his longevity is being lazy, but his family says it may be down to a potion he drank in India. He has lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers.

He was the former church minister Reg Dean, from Wirksworth, and he continued to work as a minister until he retirement at the age of 80, and he has been married three times. His son, Cristopher said the family had its own theory about his long life.

Just before World War I, he was out in India and he was given an elixir by a local there and he drank his muddy mixture for living more than 100 years, and here he is now.

Now, Mr Dean became British’s oldest man. The current world record holder is 115 year old, from Japan.

The interviewer asked how he felt, and he said: “A year older than when I was 109! It has been a long year but I feel much better now. I can’t stay enough, it’s all very kind and I didn’t expect it and of course, I shall have another birthday celebrations when I am 130”.

In one hand, Mr Dean is a lucky man because he could live a lot of experiences, movements, jobs, etc., but in the other hand he is ill now, and he has passed a lot of problems and situations in his life that I think he would be in peace, but still living for their family, too.

I’m proud of him to reach here and I hope he could get his wish to celebrate his 130 birthday. It will be so difficult.

In conclusion, I hope to celebrate so much birthday celebrations and could live so many years like him, to see my grandchildren, and even my great-grandchildren.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-20197070

Human papilloma virus, HPV

There are over 100 strains of human papilloma virus (HPV), and a lot of them can infect the genital and oral tissues of men and women. Some strains do slowly cause warty growths and some increase the risk of cancer in the affected tissue.

HPV is passed by genital contact, usually during vaginal sex as well as during oral sex.

Most people with HPV don’t develop symptoms or further health problems. However certain types of this illness can cause some symptoms like genital warts, cellular changes that lead to cancer of the cervix and possibly other less common but serious cancers including: vulvar cancer, cancer of the vagina, cancer of the penis, anal cancer, etc. It’s also possible to have HPV present years after sexual contact with an infected person, and also, to be exposed more than one strain of HPV.

There are two vaccines that have been produced to protect against HPV: Cervarix (before they become sexually active, to protect against 2 strains) and Gardasil (to protect against four strains). These vaccines consist in three vaccines, and they are only for girls and not for boys, although many argue that they should do it.

In my opinion, the papilloma virus can change your life like another virus, but you can prevent it using protections while you do sex and other kind of things. You have to be responsible of yourself, and also do the vaccine I think is a good action to forestall it. I also agree that boys should do this vaccine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/hpv.shtml

Pep Guardiola to end reign as Barcelona coach in summer

PepGuardiola will stand down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season after deciding not to renew his rolling one-year contract.

The 41 year-old, who was appointed in 2008 and has led the Catalan club to 13 trophies, will be succeeded by current assistant Tito Vilanova.

Guardiola says: “the reason is simple: four years is enough”, “I’m drained and need to fill up. The demand has been very high and a manager must be strong”.

I’ve chosen this news because it is on the front of all the newspapers, on the internet, on all the TV channels…etc, and it is important for all the Catalans who are fan club. I feel sad because he has done history here in FCB, and I like him and his way of being, his way to do and his thinking. All fans will be unmotivated to see the best coach leaves here, and even more, the players, who have been colleagues for four years. I think he doesn’t want to leave because, here, he has his house and his life, but the famous people have to move because here, he has done a particularly good work, and he wants to do that in another place and grow up the new team.

Blind

“Blind”mice eyesight treated with transplanted cells

British scientists have restored the sight of blind mice by transplanting light-sensitive photoreceptor cells into their eyes.

The work is a step towards a new treatment for patients with degenerative eye diseases.

Institute of Ophtalmology says: we’re hopeful that we will soon be able to replicate this success with photoreceptors derived from embryonic stem cells and eventually to develop human trials”.

But although the results appear promising, there are still many steps to go. For example, more animal studies will be needed before such a technique would be tried with humans.

In my opinion, I think this advance of the vision is very important for the blind. Over time they can see what really is happening ahead, will be independent and be freer with themselves.

Apart from other serious diseases and transplantation, I think the vision is very important. You can live without seeing but it deprives them of many things. And I believe that blind people are very brave and strong, because I don’t know what to do if you couldn’t see the floor, unable to see my family, and if I couldn’t see what my eyes see every day. 

Acid attacks

Pakistani women's lives destroyed by acid attacks

This news talks about cases of acid attacks are increasing in most areas. more than 150 women have acid thrown on them every year, usually by husbands, and many never set justice. The news explains two cases from  two girls who have been affected of this acid attack. They express how they feel and how their husbands did it. 

When I've read this news I was shocked. I don't know how these husbands think or their points of view but in my opinion they are doing particularly things worse. They destroy their lives for ever, even if the doctors could cure their wounded faces, they are going to be deformed the rest of their lives. These wives have a lot of pain inside their bodies and they say: "colours have gone from my life". 

The baby mammoth found in Russia

Khroma, the baby mammoth found frizen in Russia in 2009. It was male and had one or two months.
Paleontologist Lacombat Frederic, one of the scientists who participated in exploration, said the creature had milk teeth and internal organs were preserved perfectly.
Moreover, its stomach contained milk and muscles were still red. For the specialist, it would seem that he had died two days ago.
Moreover, the images collected by the scanner showed that the mammoth baby’s spine was broken and displaced pelvis, which suggests to scientists who maybe have died from a fall.
In the months following additional tests be conducted to learn more about his short life and also their parental period.  The latter will be studied through de DNA from the mother through breast milk found in the digestive tract.
The little creature, which is blamed for more than 50 thousand years, is part of the exhibition Mammouths & Cie, in the southeastern France.