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Not just any cognitive challenge can protect the aging brain
A new study out of the University of Texas at Dallas has found that demanding learning can restore even an aging brain. Researchers compared changes in brain activity in older adults randomly placed into high-challenge, low-challenge or placebo groups. The high-challenge group engaged in learning Read More...
Yoga improves balance and mobility for older people
Yoga can improve mobility among people over age 60 and possibly help prevent falls by improving balance, according to a new review of existing research. The results of this Australian study may not be surprising, but what is exciting is that "significant improvements occurred in balance and Read More...
Starbucks to help pay for workers' housing in China
Starbucks has announced it will spend millions to subsidize housing for thousands of its workers in China. The coffee giant has already been adding serious benefits for its employees from subsidizing college tuition and raising pay in the US to loans for rent deposits in the UK, and now many Read More...
Better urban planning can bring down obesity rates
A new case study coming out of Switzerland suggests that a city’s urban layout may be the greatest factor in rate of obesity amongst its residents. Published in the British Medical Journal Open, the study calculated the BMIs (body mass index) of 6,500 adult residents for many years in the city of Read More...
London, Berlin, Amsterdam: Capitals of the next economy
Whether the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package is ambitious enough is still under debate, but at least it leaves some flexibility for potential partnerships, industry-led and local government-led initiatives to shape the next economy. Some cities are already seizing related Read More...
UK is pledging more support for mental health
Mental illnesses often remain in the shadow of national health plans. Yet, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is looking into changing that. He is pledging extra support for the treatment an prevention of such diseases. The plans include specialist care for new mothers who may suffer from Read More...
New discovery could offer treatment for Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's is said to be one of the biggest healthcare challenges for the developed world in the coming years. There are currently 47 million people suffering from this disease and other forms of dementia. That number will increase to 75 million by 2030. It is therefore exciting for the medical Read More...
Mexicans drink less soda after introduction of sugary drinks tax
It’s only been two years but Mexico’s sugary drinks tax seems to already be yielding results. A new study says that in the first year following the introduction of the tax, Mexicans were drinking on average 6% less sugary drinks. During 2014 the average person bought four fewer litres of sodas. Read More...
The other link between sugar and cancer
A new study, published in Cancer Research, shows high suger intake can increase the risk of breast cancer and hasten the spread of the disease to the lungs. So today and tomorrow, we'll be seeing alarming headlines in reports about this research. Meanwhile, it can also be read in a different way: Read More...
Moral anger at work is beneficial for you (and others)
New research from the University of Liverpool suggests getting angry at work can, sometimes, actually be good for you. Before you start yelling at your supervisor or the copy machine, thinking it will help you, please note the researchers were looking at moral anger, which is motivated by the Read More...