Body of Wealth

Questions like, why people have sex, is it really important to have sex, etc have ruled the human mind way back. Researchers have been trying hard to get answers to these questions and that is why, at least today we know that the rise in levels of certain hormones in our bodies stimulates us for sex. A research led by researchers at the University of Texas has wronged the common notion that most of the men have sex just for the physical pleasure and women incorporate sex as one of the ways to express their love. The research that was published in the August edition of ‘Archives of Sexual Behavior’ listed the top 237 reasons why people have sex. Also, it was quite intriguing to note that the top 25 reasons given by men to have sex matched those given by women. Now, who says, men are from Mars and women are from Venus, I guess they belong to the same earth.

Coming to the reasons, it is quite shocking to know that the topmost reason for having sex was because of the attraction for the person and for experiencing physical pleasure. Maybe, the credential to this specific reason can be attributed to the fact that the group surveyed was of men and women from colleges. However, reasons like expression of love and affection also made to the top ten. But it has got quite clear that for the men and women of this generation, lust rules more than love. Moreover, the research also clears the fact that women think quite similar to men, where sex comes into play.

The survey was conducted among 444 men and women belonging to an age group of 17 to 52. The reason-’It’s fun’ took the fourth place in the men’s list and eight in the women’s. The researchers also asked 1,549 college students to rank their experiences. Another fact that came into the light was that where men will jump on the opportunity of having sex without considering anything else, women will only do so to please their partners. So, I guess the eagerness of the college students to have sex that is visible through the reasons, we have quite a good argument that why AIDS has become an epidemic and sex education should be considered as a significant part of school education.

Source: Yahoo

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All you coffee lovers can rejoice as there seems to be more and more news proclaiming the goodness of coffee, my favorite beverage. Earlier, we read that coffee reduces the risk of gout and delays the onset of blepharospasm. Now, want more reasons to sip another cup? Well, coffee when combined with exercise protects you from skin cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer that forms in tissues of the skin is called skin cancer. When cancer forms in cells that make pigment, it is called melanoma. When cancer forms in cells that do not make pigment it may begin in basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin) or squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin). Both types of skin cancer usually occur in skin that has been exposed to sunlight, such as the skin on the face, neck, hands, and arms.

A team of researchers at Rutgers University studied the effect of coffee and exercise on four groups of mice. Some of the mice were fed with caffeinated water, some had wheels to run around, some had both and the others neither of it.

It was found that the mice that drank caffeinated water combined with exercise were found with a minor percentage of precancerous cells when compared to the other mice. How a combination of exercise and caffeine destroys the precancerous cells is still not known. Such tests are yet to be performed on humans to actually prove that this works.

Meanwhile you enjoy your cup of java and your work out, while the researchers go about their job of finding whether the findings are related. Oh yes, don’t dump your sunscreen yet...

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The leading cause of blindness among elderly adults — macular degeneration - is increasingly becoming a matter of concern for the American medical fraternity, with it being the leading cause of ‘central vision loss’ in the United States today.

Experts fear that if the increasing trend remains what it is today, by 2020, more than 43 million Americans will be developing such age-related eye diseases.

The medical association, American Academy of Ophthalmology is already up with arms to fight this growing problem for those above the age of fifty.

Its EyeSmart campaign, besides providing a new set of screening recommendations, advices all adults to get their eyes screened for the disease at age 40 - when symptoms and vision changes typically seem to appear.

The devastating trend can actually be reversed, if the people get a bit careful of their viewing-assets and get aware of when to get their eyes checked and not wait for the symptoms to appear first.

The problem lies with the fact that most people wait until the disease’s symptoms appear, when it is already too late to undo the process.

The choice is yours - take the burden of your deteriorated ‘personal quality of life,’ or with a bit of awareness, get your eyes screened at the right time.

So, reversing the devastating trend is at your — and not that of the medical fraternity’s — hand. They are only there to assist you.

To read more about the EyeSmart campaign, visit here...

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It seems the benefits and risks of alcohol drinking will continue to kick up the controversy-dust.

Though a research had once claimed that a daily ‘moderate’ alcohol intake may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes and may also help answer Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, a new study has come up with a devastating impact of even a small amount of alcohol.

Though a single peg of drink can increase the bowel cancer risk by 10 percent, just double the amount can increase the risk by 25 percent.

This amount is considerable for one to give a second thought on their drinking habits.

Among 60 percent of new cancers in males, bowel cancer constitutes 13 percent and among 58 percent of new cancers in females, bowel constitutes 14 percent of it. The astounding statistics show that among 47 percent of cancer deaths, 12 percent among men is caused by bowel cancer, which kills about 14 percent of cancer-suffering women - in New South Wales alone.

But, the problem lies somewhere else as Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK suggested that,

There is a lot of confusion over safe levels of drinking. This partly arises over the increasing strength of some wines and beers and the fact that many pubs offer a large glass of wine that is actually equivalent to one third of a bottle. Women should drink less than two units a day and men less than three. By far the biggest risk for life-threatening diseases is the combination of smoking with alcohol.

The study says that as little as one large glass of wine or a pint of beer per day can lead to bowel cancer, though it depends on how strong and large the measure is!

So, moderate drinkers, who are aware of the above mentioned benefits of drinking, be aware of the risks as well!

Via: foxnews

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Good news for the tomato soup lovers! Now you have an extra reason to enjoy another bowl of that yummy hot tomato soup to pamper your desires, especially ‘men.’ Yes, men who need to or are willing to boost their fertility, this is just the right recipe (or call it the remedy) for you - just a bowl of steaming, spicy and creamy tomato soup.

The secret of it lies in all that gives tomato its bright red color - lycopene. The UK-based University of Portsmouth researchers have found that a significant rise in lycopene in a man’s semen can amazingly turn sperm into super-sperm!

It is the higher levels of the antioxidant that pops up ‘harmful free radicals’ in the body, which turn out to be a blessing for many guys. Yes, it is this, which eventually increases fertility.

Beneficial health properties of tomatoes and their products are known for ages. But, the lycopene’s this account has been spotted for the first time.

But, it is not yet known, which part of the lycopene actually helps boost fertility. Whatever, the study is ground breaking in the field of drug research that may help cure infertility in men.

Ah! Though it is yet to be proved, it seems the other lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, grapefruit, guava and papaya may also help boost men’s fertility.

So men! It’s time to reformulate your diet habits once again.

Via: dvorak
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It is well established that progress in civilization, directly as well as indirectly, has exposed humankind to several kinds of threats, one of which is exposure to harmful chemicals.

However, when it comes to children’s exposure to these harmful chemicals, concern grows graver, as chemicals strike at their health more ruinously.

Attracting world’s attention to take precautionary measure for saving kids from the spate of these harmful chemicals, WHO came out with its first ever report, revealing how these chemicals affects children’s health at different periods.

As per the report by WHO, there are enough evidences to show that exposure to certain environmental chemicals during childhood may give way to cancer and heart disease in the later life. Moreover, exposure to these chemicals often leads to poor body mechanism in kids, leaving them with different kinds of developmental problems.

Here it won’t be wrong to mention that in the past view decades; concerns have been raised about the rising level of chemical poisoning. However, efforts to bring down its level haven’t been fuelled to a good level. For instance, rise in mercury level got a kick off globally with the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century, which now has emerged as a serious threat to the entire ecology and same is the case with various other toxics.
It is quite perturbing that chemical pollution in reality is polluting our future, which is quite a serious issue that needs to be tackled on war footing, as the poison in the form of chemicals, is fast eroding kids’ mechanism, increasing thier vulnerability to several deadly diseases.

Therefore, it could be stated that time has come when we shall have to seriously ponder over the problem and will have to find out ways to prevent these harmful chemicals from tiding over our lives. In other words, it won’t be wrong to say that time has come when entire world will have to come forward with a well-knitted strategy; otherwise, it would be too late to save future (that lies in kids) from chemical poison, which is fast foraying into our lives.

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Latest breakthroughs in the medical research help scientists solve the multiple sclerosis (MS) puzzle. Before the discovery, researchers were confused on the source of multiple sclerosis. This is a very popular neurological disease that causes symptoms like muscle weakness to paralysis. The study was released on Sunday.

The MS disease:

Here’s more on the nerve disorder. The immune system of the body mistakenly attacks Myelin, the electrical insulation of nerve fibers. When this occurs, nerve signals get slowed or even blocked. The result is difficulties in movement, coordination, and vision problems.

The Study and facts:

A human body has plenty of genes in it. So the researchers looked at probably 100 of those. Methods used to hunt for the right gene related to MS vary. One of them is the whole genome method. Another method is simply known as the candidate gene approach.

Irrespective of the methods used by various research teams, the result of the research was the same. They all pointed to two genes - Chromosome 5 and 10. Both of these genes are related to different Interleukin elements which cause harm to the body. According to the discoveries, any change in the IL7-R or IL2-R creates dangerous conditions. Both together contribute to the recipe of MS.

Perspectives:

Up till now, scientists as well as doctors were very frustrated over this MS issue. Although, they sort of had a general idea of where the gene causing MS was located, they didn’t have the specific information. I am relieved to hear about this discovery as well. I am sure, patients with MS will appreciate the good news.

One of the research team members, Simon Gregory, a geneticist at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina said:

Our finding is very important, because the genetic factors that are already known to be associated with multiple sclerosis only explain less than half of the total genetic basis for the disease.

Kari Stefansson of Decode Genetics, a company based in Reykjavik, Iceland said:

This is a very good beginning

With the discovery of the specific genes responsible for the MS, scientists hope to develop a system by which they can cure patients affected by this disease. People have been looking for the cause of MS for last 30 years or so without much luck. The studies were published by Nature Genetics and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Image credits: NIH , Affrc

All types of lenses require proper cleaning and storing. Always try to buy those sterile solutions for your lenses, which are commercially prepared. Avoid using home-made solutions as they can be harmful. You can get all the important information’s and instructions from your eye doctor on — how should you take care of your eyes and contact lens.

Most of the people, who use contact lenses, pay no attention towards the risks they can have by its improper usage. They continue to wear the lenses even when their eyes become tired of it and also they don’t clean them as directed by the doctors.

If anyone of you wear the contact lenses than it is necessary to take few precautions to save your eyes from getting infected.

Few advices are given by the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center to the users of the contact lenses that — how one can take care of his/her contact lenses:

1. Clean your hands before touching your lenses or also your eyes.

2. Don’t allow others to use your contact lenses.

3. Try to use the lenses in such way as directed by the doctor. Put the lenses in and out according to your doctor’s recommendations and also try not to put the lenses in and out again and again.

4. Try to buy those lenses which your doctor has recommended you. Don’t buy — fashion lenses and also try not to buy lenses just from anyone. Always try to stick to a reputed and good brand contact lenses as per your doctor’s instructions.

5. Change lenses within the time limit as told by your doctor.

6. Daily clean your contact lenses properly and carefully as per your doctor’s instructions. Most of the users don’t clean their lenses properly.

7. Don’t use disposable lenses and throw it away after one use.

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If you need a facial reconstruction for whatever reason, here is some great news. University of South California researcher Songtao Shi along with his colleagues recently discovered that stem cells can regenerate bone and skin tissue. As of now the tests have been done on mouse and swine models only. This is yet to be applied to humans.

This basically means that the patient can get a stem cell job. I have heard of a nose job or a teeth job before where you reconstruction of your nose. But, this is the first time I am hearing about a stem cell job. Stem cells will replace plastic surgery in near future. This is indeed an exciting time for the stem cell research.

The mesenchymal stem cells or commonly known as MSCs will become a plastic surgeon’s weapon in near future. These can be used to fix anything from sever facial damage to wrinkles. So it’s time to say goodbye to all the rest of the crap that claims they can fix wrinkles. No more applying lotions.

The Research:

To reconstruct the bone tissue, the researchers used MSCs extracted from human bone marrows and planted them in the frontal skull area. This was done to study the reconstruction of Orofacial bone tissue. The researchers also used MSCs obtained from periodontal ligament.

The detailed results:

* Much to the amazement of the researchers, the expansion of the skull was clearly visible after eight weeks. Several other tests proved the fact that the tissue was integrated to the bones.

* Also, new bone tissue showed signs of homeostasis : a process that develops R.B.C.s. This sets a new trend in the application of stem cell research.Shi thinks that the development of Red blood cells is extremely crucial. According to Shi:

This is very important. This is not an implant. This is an extension of the body. These cells have the ability to work with and organize existing cells and tissue.

Thus, with this study, many future applications have opened up. Shi will try to improve the research by experimenting with the delivery methods as well. This kind of study will hopefully improve facial reconstruction.

Image Credits: Nidcr, Hawkhill

28th July was the 40th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality. The term ‘homosexuality’ as per the dictionary is defined as ’sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one’s own sex’.

Before the decriminalization of homosexuality in UK especially, it was equated as a sign of immorality, pedophilia- sexual desire in an adult for a child and also seen as a form of mental illness. This is the reason why in earlier time gays and lesbians were treated psychologically to cure their disease called homosexuality. However, the change came, first in law, then in nations, then in society, then in individuals but the debate still continues unabated. This new change also witnessed an impact on pioneering films like The Victim (1961) starring Dirk Bogarde. This change in the public outlook gave rise to the Wolfenden Committee, which concluded that there was no need of it to be illegal or any threat from homosexuality.

Now, also where society and nations stand free today, the debate continues, some people still term such activities as immoral. Homosexuality is still a crime in Islamic regions. From authors to theatres, televisions to bloggers, everyone is exploring the ‘homosexuals’. There are communities for gays and lesbians, and they are living as everyone else. In the context of celebration of its 40 years, Channel 4 is running a series of programmes relating to the homosexuals. You can also check Qazi Rahman and Glenn Wilson’s book ‘Born Gay’. However, we can still note that prejudices are still prevailing against these communities. Their voices are still not heard, there is still a lot to be done.

But for the time being, let us just enjoy the sense of freedom.

Source: Drpetra

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