Category: Health

Fearless Behavior Linked to Lack of Empathy in Pre-Schoolers

Fearless-ChildrenThe faculty at the Haifa Faculty of Education in Israel has just revealed that pre-school age children who are characterized as ‘fearless’ also show more aggressive behavior towards children around them and less empathy.

“The results of this study show that fearless behavior in children can be identified and is related to neurological and genetic predisposition. This type of behavior has less correlation — at least in infancy — with standards of educational processes or parenting practice,” says Dr. Inbal Kivenson-Baron, who carried out the study as part of her doctoral thesis.

The study examined the relationship, if any, between fearless behavior in 3-4 year-olds and physiological and social-emotional characteristics. The researchers also looked at parenting, socioeconomic status, birth order and parental well-being, child-rearing and other parameters in the children’s lives.

“Since fearless behavior correlates with genetic and neurological characteristics, it is important to find the most effective ways — through education at the preschool and at home — to assist these children in developing the ability to recognize and value social prohibitions. As a society, we must discern the optimal stimulation that can be provided in the child’s natural surroundings, in order to awaken those emotions that are necessary for the development of empathy toward another and for refraining from aggressive behavior,” Dr. Kivenson-Baron concludes.

Fish Pedicures

You may have heard of “Doctor Fish,” or “fish pedicures,” and wondered what exactly that implies. Interestingly enough, it is exactly what it sounds like. The tradition originated in Turkish spas, where Garra Rufa fish were bred in large outdoor pools. The Garra Rufa are also known as nibble fish, kangal fish and doctorfishen. These fish are similar to comb-fishes; they eat dead and affected skin cells, while leaving the healthy skin exposed to grow. These spa treatments are often used to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. The afflicted spa-goers immerse their bodies in the pools for some time, and relax as they allow hundreds of the fish to clean and remove dead skin from their bodies. The treatment is not meant as a cure, and patients usually revisit the spas on a monthly basis, although some have claimed to be completely healed after undergoing repeated treatment. The fish can also be used for pedicures, to clear callouses from heels and other tough areas of the foot. In 2006, similar spa resorts began to open in other countries across the globe.

The Garra Rufa fish are naturally found in the river basins in the Northern and Central Middle East, primarily in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. These fish are quite hardy.

Best Children’s Hospital

The U.S. News and World Report has come out with their yearly survey for this year ranking the best children’s hospital throughout the United States in a number of different specialties. The magazine requested information from 170 pediatric centers and used the results of surveys taken from thousands of physicians in 10 different pediatric specialties who were asked to which hospitals they would send their sickest children. The combined results list 62 different hospitals which ranked in at least one of those specialties, and there are eight hospitals which rank for all 10.
The honor roll for 2010- 2011 include:
• Children’s Hospital in Boston
• Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
• New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Komansky Children’s Hospital
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Washington University
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

New “No Smoking” Message

Apparently the no-smoking message which the public has been bombarded with for decades is not strong enough. New, graphic images will begin appearing on the packaging of cigarettes as a powerful warning for consumers to stay away from cigarettes.

There are 36 newly proposed warning labels, illustrating in morbid clarity the dangers of smoking. One illustration portrays a mother blowing smoke on her baby; another is of a corpse lying in his coffin; and yet another shows smoke coming out of a tracheotomy hole in a smoker’s throat. Accompanying the illustrations are statements like: “Cigarettes cause strokes and heart disease;” “Warning: Cigarettes are Addictive;” and “Warning: Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease.” Continue reading New “No Smoking” Message

The Importance of Sunlight

In today’s world, everyone knows about the potential risks involved with too much sun. Talk of sunburn, skin cancer, premature wrinkles and other conditions are very common. It is true that over-exposure can result in serious problems, but what people seem to be forgetting is that sunlight is a completely necessary part of our lives; both long-term and on a daily basis. A moderate amount of sunlight can actually be incredibly beneficial for your skin.

Aside from giving your skin a healthy complexion, regular sun exposure can actually help your skin develop a natural resistance to ultra-violet light. This is usually seen as what we call a tan. A tan is a result of increased production of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a pigment which the body produces to defend itself from harmful rays.

The dangerous ultraviolet rays are not only harmful to humans; they can kill viruses, bacteria, molds, fungi and mites in the water, air and even on your skin. The exposure to the rays in the sun can improve skin diseases like acne, boils, athletes foot, diaper rash, psoriasis and eczema.
Sunlight can also stimulate your appetite as well as improve digestion, elimination and metabolism. Regular doses of sunlight can be good for your immune system as well. It can increase the number and performance of white blood cells in the body, as well as improve circulation.
Sunlight also has psychological effects. Studies have shown that sunlight can improve a person’s mood. This is even more apparent in the winter month when sunlight is scarce. The natural light of the day also increases melatonin production in the body. Melatonin is a hormone that enhances sleep.
Last but not least, sunlight helps the body produce Vitamin D, a substance that lowers cholesterol levels.