Mental Attitude: Marital Stress Strains Parent-Child Relationships.
An analysis of more than 200 families revealed that when parents reported conflict and tension in their marriage, their interactions with their children were also strained in the immediate future. Study author Dr. Chrystyna Kouros writes, “The quality of that relationship spills over into each parent’s interactions with the child. So if mom and dad are fighting, it will show up initially — and in some cases on the second day — in a poorer quality relationship with their kids.”
Journal of Family Psychology, August 2014
Health Alert: Germs Follow Families When Moving.
Microbiologists at the United States Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory claim that a unique population of bacteria follows families when they move to a new home. The research team notes that it took less than a day for a family’s new home to have the same bacteria populations as their old home. The findings suggest that analyzing bacteria in a home could predict if a person has lived in a specific location and how recently with a great deal of accuracy.
Science, August 2014
Diet: Salt Problematic for MS Symptoms.
There may be a link between salt consumption and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. In a newly published study, individuals who consumed moderate or high amounts of salt had approximately three more episodes of progressing symptoms and were four times more likely to have exacerbations when compared to individuals who consumed the least salt per day. The researchers add, “High salt intake is implicated in various aspects of poor health. Findings suggest further research into whether dietary salt reduction could ease MS symptoms or slow the progression of the disease might now be warranted.”
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, August 2014
Exercise: Exercise While Watching Television.
The American Council on Exercise offers these suggestions to get some exercise while you watch TV: ditch the remote and change the channel yourself, walk around the house or up and down the stairs during commercials, perform resistance exercises while watching TV, use a treadmill or stationary bike, and perform activities that involve standing, such as ironing clothes.
The American Council on Exercise, August 2014
Chiropractic: Acute Neck Pain Patients Satisfied with Spinal Manipulation.
According to a recent study, individuals with acute and sub acute neck pain were more satisfied with receiving spinal manipulation or home exercise/advice than taking medication prescribed by a physician. Overall, participants who received spinal manipulation performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic were the most satisfied of the three groups in the study in regards to the general care they received.
Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, September 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Smartphone Could Screen for Jaundice in Newborns.
A team from the University of Washington is developing a smartphone app called BiliCam that could make it easier for doctors and parents to monitor newborns to determine if blood tests are needed to confirm jaundice. Caregivers can use the app by placing a calibration card on the baby’s naked torso and then taking a photo with their smartphone. The app then uses an algorithm to analyze the photo and report on the likely levels of bilirubin in the baby. Bilirubin is a substance that builds up in the blood causing a yellowing of skin and happens in newborns when the liver is not yet optimally functioning. The team hopes the app will also be useful in developing countries where jaundice accounts for many newborn deaths.
University of Washington, August 2014
An analysis of more than 200 families revealed that when parents reported conflict and tension in their marriage, their interactions with their children were also strained in the immediate future. Study author Dr. Chrystyna Kouros writes, “The quality of that relationship spills over into each parent’s interactions with the child. So if mom and dad are fighting, it will show up initially — and in some cases on the second day — in a poorer quality relationship with their kids.”
Journal of Family Psychology, August 2014
Health Alert: Germs Follow Families When Moving.
Microbiologists at the United States Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory claim that a unique population of bacteria follows families when they move to a new home. The research team notes that it took less than a day for a family’s new home to have the same bacteria populations as their old home. The findings suggest that analyzing bacteria in a home could predict if a person has lived in a specific location and how recently with a great deal of accuracy.
Science, August 2014
Diet: Salt Problematic for MS Symptoms.
There may be a link between salt consumption and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. In a newly published study, individuals who consumed moderate or high amounts of salt had approximately three more episodes of progressing symptoms and were four times more likely to have exacerbations when compared to individuals who consumed the least salt per day. The researchers add, “High salt intake is implicated in various aspects of poor health. Findings suggest further research into whether dietary salt reduction could ease MS symptoms or slow the progression of the disease might now be warranted.”
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, August 2014
Exercise: Exercise While Watching Television.
The American Council on Exercise offers these suggestions to get some exercise while you watch TV: ditch the remote and change the channel yourself, walk around the house or up and down the stairs during commercials, perform resistance exercises while watching TV, use a treadmill or stationary bike, and perform activities that involve standing, such as ironing clothes.
The American Council on Exercise, August 2014
Chiropractic: Acute Neck Pain Patients Satisfied with Spinal Manipulation.
According to a recent study, individuals with acute and sub acute neck pain were more satisfied with receiving spinal manipulation or home exercise/advice than taking medication prescribed by a physician. Overall, participants who received spinal manipulation performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic were the most satisfied of the three groups in the study in regards to the general care they received.
Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, September 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Smartphone Could Screen for Jaundice in Newborns.
A team from the University of Washington is developing a smartphone app called BiliCam that could make it easier for doctors and parents to monitor newborns to determine if blood tests are needed to confirm jaundice. Caregivers can use the app by placing a calibration card on the baby’s naked torso and then taking a photo with their smartphone. The app then uses an algorithm to analyze the photo and report on the likely levels of bilirubin in the baby. Bilirubin is a substance that builds up in the blood causing a yellowing of skin and happens in newborns when the liver is not yet optimally functioning. The team hopes the app will also be useful in developing countries where jaundice accounts for many newborn deaths.
University of Washington, August 2014