Health & Science Update

According to scientists, activities such as running create chemical changes in your body that contribute to your state of being. Running, in other words, can give you a high. And if you stop running, you are susceptible to bouts of depression and other symptoms typical of withdrawal from drugs.

This is for all the global warming skeptics: ocean water temperatures are on the rise. The change is more noticeable toward the poles, forecasting an accelerated melting of the polar ice-caps, which is predicted to dramatically raise water levels around the world.

Talk about extreme cosmetic surgery! How about we break your bones, keep separating them as they fuse, and make you gain 5 cm in the process? Apparently, many Siberian women are lining up for this.

Earth suddenly feels less special now that we have discovered that extraterrestrial environments support organic molecules vital to life such as the amino acid glycine, which was recently found to be present in a comet.

If you have ever blamed your parents for your drinking problem, now you have more of a reason to do so. Certain gene variants in monkeys make them more predisposed to drinking. Yes, they gave monkeys alcohol for this experiment.

Stem cell research seems even more promising now that we can refine and target its benefits through the use of magnetic nanoparticles injected in stem cells and which are then guided throughout the body by using magnets, thus easily targeting problematic areas.

Does psychological stress affect your allergies? Yes—it can both worsen and prolong allergic reactions.

Stem Cells & Tissue Regeneration

Another interesting video from TED, this time on the advantages of stem cell use for tissue regeneration.

Health & Science Update

Garlic does help with cardiovascular health, but since you're going to have garlic breath, anyways, better go fresh. Garlic powder won't quite cut it.

And if you want to get a good night's sleep, keep it cool... literally. Lower temperatures help you get better sleep.

Just don't keep it so cool at work. Although a nap may help your productivity in the workplace, a deep sleep wouldn't fly so well with the boss.

A new imaging technique allows scientist to visualize the entire HIV genome for the first time.

Japanese scientists are now able to grow functional teeth of natural texture and strength in laboratory mice. The technique has yet to be tested in humans. More details here.

This 40-year study relates longevity to sperm vitality. The faster your little guys, the longer you live.

Scientists have also identified the cells that cause itching, paving the way for pain relief in individuals in whom itching and pain are related. More details here.

Beet juice is soon to become the drink of choice for health and exercise freaks, since it boosts stamina and also helps with heart health.

This was entirely news to me: the Earth hums. Now scientists know why. We still cannot hear it with our ears, though....

And here's another reason why you should get married (though I'd personally still advise against it): spouses make good organ donors, almost as good as blood relatives.

We also learned that Aesop was right about rooks using rocks to raise the level of water. This article and the accompanying video can attest to that.