Health Tonics – Page 14

Delayed Gratification: Self Discipline and Neurology

October 26, 2013May 31, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

While logical explanation would refer certain everyday behaviours to discipline and upbringing, scientists have managed to associate such “discipline” to the brain’s ability to function properly. In a recent research, scientists lead by Dr. Mathias Pessiglione suggested that a person’s refusal of an immediate small reward in order to receive a delayed one that is more valuable is a process that occurs in the hippocampus- the part of limbic system responsible for consolidating information from short-term memory to long-term memory.*1 “Indeed, this structure has long been considered as essential for…

Now Paralyzed Patients Can Move With Spinal Stimulation

October 26, 2013March 16, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

Susan Harkema’s a neuroscientist at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, recent research would act as a boon to patients who are suffering from paralysis. Her study demonstrated awakening of patients’ lower spinal cord with the use of electrical stimulation. Dustin Shillcox, a 28-year-old guy, who met with an accident on August 2010 had lost his control on his lower limbs. But with Harkema’s research, for the first time in 2 years, he was able to stood on his feet. Similar result was seen in Rob Summers, 23 years of age,…

Get Brainwashed, Get Some Sleep

October 20, 2013May 31, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

A recent study has managed to unlock an important mystery of brain chemistry during sleep. The said study published in Science Magazine found that the brain cleans itself from toxins while a person sleeps. The research team suggested that inability to get rid of toxins may be related to certain brain disorders.

Magneto-electric Nanoparticles Now Facilitators Of Drug Delivery

October 19, 2013October 19, 2013 Pooja Kashyap

An army of nanoparticles in conjugation with magnetic field would be attacking the cancer cells in a process involving healing ovarian tumor. Researchers at Florida International University (FIU) have come up with an innovative solution of curing ovarian cancer via Magneto-electric Nanoparticles (MENs). The FIU team confirmed that using MENs technique will facilitate Taxol, the chemotherapy drug, to completely wipe off the cells responsible for the growth of tumor that to without affecting the healthy ovarian cells unlike before.

A Tooth Restores Eyesight in British Man

October 8, 2013October 14, 2013 Wa'd Abuzurayk

Ian Tibbetts, a 43-year old man, made the right decision when he decided to go through an absolutely revolutionary surgery in the United Kingdome to get his sight back. The medical procedure included growing part of Tibbetts’ tooth and jaw bone into his eye. Tibbetts lost his eyesight in an industrial accident, where scrap metal reportedly ripped his cornea in six places. And after all options had failed, this procedure called osteo-odonto-keratoprothesis (OOKP) was suggested to the Tibbetts, who agreed to having it performed. The surgery was conducted by ophthalmic…

The Mental Workspace Discovered

September 21, 2013May 31, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

Do you have a big imagination? Did you have an imaginary friend as a child? Or are you almost always daydreaming? If you ever wondered about where you get all those ideas/imagery from, then wonder no more. Your question has been recently answered by a group of scientists. In their paper, lead author Alex Schlegel and his colleagues explain that the previously theorized widespread neural network required for human imagination is actually real. Schlegel and his team found evidence for what they called a “mental workspace”. The study was done…

The Human-Animal Bond: A Healing Power Revealed

September 8, 2013October 13, 2013 Wa'd Abuzurayk

Humans can be sorted into two categories; those who like animals, and those who don’t. For those who like them, animals could be of much more benefit than what was once known in the past. While animals were previously depended on for transportation, food, and the making of clothes, the human-animal bond has been given serious attention by scientists in the last 30 years, revealing a totally new perspective on how animals could be further used for our benefit. Apparently, there is much more to petting an animal than just…

Social Integration, A Part Of Healthy Society

September 6, 2013March 16, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

A healthy society is one that not only allows, but also strives towards the integration of all constituent parts of it. It has been of note recently that more mainstream schools are accommodating to integrate children with special needs into their programmes. This is indeed a great step forward for any society. Such a move would instill the concept of social equality in children, as well as provide them with opportunities to learn from their differences. However, as with all new opportunities, comes a set of challenges and responsibilities. And…

Is Your Limbic System Acting Out?

August 28, 2013May 31, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

We have all had our days when one wrong word by an unfortunate converser turns our alarms on, causing an adult-life simulation of a temper tantrum. Neuroscientists believe that we can partially blame our limbic system for this. As complex as it is as a neurological system, the Limbic system is considered to be the “primitive” brain. Not because of its’ structure, but because of its’ function. The limbic system is called “primitive” for its role in producing the age-old fight, flight or fright reactions. In other words, it regulates…