All Articles by Karen Vieira, PhD
Dr. Vieira holds a PhD and MBA. She has written about medical research, medical procedures, food ingredients, herbal remedies, pharmaceutical drugs, condo construction, real estate and computer consulting to mention a few.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Linked to Genes
Scientists have recently pinpointed genes that can predict who is more likely to get Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body attacks itself, and to date it affects approximately 400,000 Americans. Every week about 200 people are diagnosed with this potentially debilitating disease in the US alone. Although the most common image of MS is an elderly individual in a wheelchair, the first signs of disease (periods of dizziness, double vision) often appear in the late teens or early twenties, and twice as often in women. The patient may recover completely, partially, or not at all after this first "relapse" episode, and it is a lifelong disease. Most MS patients will get some permanent disability later on in their lives.
Our Caveman Way of Avoiding Danger
You know the scenario. You are standing at a family get together lost in thought about a stressful situation in your life when a family member approaches and with a worried tone asks, "What's wrong?" Did you know that subconsciously they are reading the facial signals you are displaying? Why don't they have the same reaction when your mood is happy? Well, there is an evolutionary reason. A study looking at this phenomenon showed that we recognize fear on others' faces faster than we notice happiness.
Heart Chocolate – Friend or Foe?
There is a new chocolate bar on the market called "Heart Chocolate" that claims to lower blood sugar and cholesterol. The secret behind this healthy chocolate is said to be a mixture of bitter melon and cinnamon (CM-X). Supposedly if you eat three portions throughout the day it controls your cravings while benefiting your cardiovascular system with the anti-inflammatory properties in the chocolate. Sounds like a ridiculously big claim for a sixty calories chocolate bar! The makers also claim that type-2 diabetics can eat it too since it is sugar free.
Waking the Unconscious
The state of consciousness continue to puzzles neuroscientists worldwide. However, a team of neurologists and neurosurgeons have succeeded in increasing conscious control in an individual who had been in a minimally conscious state (MCS) for over six years.
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