Americans who have a tooth pulled or another painful dental procedure in the United States today are far less likely to get opioid painkillers than they were just a few years ago, a new study shows. But the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have thrown a wrench into the effort to reduce opioid use in dental care.
Read more …Good news, bad news on dental pain care seen in new study
An international team of researchers has discovered that formaldehyde, a widely spread pollutant and common metabolite in our body, interferes in the epigenetic programming of the cell. This finding expands the knowledge of formaldehyde, previously considered only as a DNA mutagen, and helps establishing a further link with cancer.
Read more …A known environmental hazard can change the epigenetics of cells
Most people who have pulled an all-nighter are all too familiar with that 'tired and wired' feeling. Although the body is physically exhausted, the brain feels slap-happy, loopy and almost giddy. Now, neurobiologists have uncovered what produces this punch-drunk effect. In a new study, researchers induced mild, acute sleep deprivation in mice and then examined their behaviors and brain activity. Not only did dopamine release increase during the acute sleep loss period, synaptic plasticity also was enhanced -- literally rewiring the brain to maintain the bubbly mood for the next few days.
Read more …One sleepless night can rapidly reverse depression for several days
A study found that participants in a mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction program improved health behaviors that lower blood pressure. When people who had elevated blood pressure participated in an eight-week mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction program, they significantly improved their scores on measures of self-awareness and adherence to a heart-healthy diet compared to a control group.
Read more …Practicing mindfulness can help people make heart-healthy eating choices