Kiwifruit has proven itself as a powerful mood booster and new research from the University of Otago has shown just how fast its effects can be. In a study, published in The British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found the furry fruit improved vitality and mood in as little as four days. Co-author Professor Tamlin Conner, of the Department of Psychology, says the … [Read more...]
Where is The Love? Musical Recognition Crosses Cultures — With an Exception
Music can take on many forms in cultures across the globe, but Yale researchers have found in a new study that some themes are universally recognizable by people everywhere with one notable exception -- love songs. "All around the world, people sing in similar ways," said senior author Samuel Mehr, who splits his time between the Yale Child Study Center, where he is an … [Read more...]
New Research to Reduce Harm of Gestational Diabetes
A study of over 4,000 pregnant New Zealand women suggests the country can improve babies' health and reduce medical risks for mums by changing how gestational diabetes is diagnosed. The study assessed the value of lowering the blood-sugar threshold for diagnosis. The University of Auckland researchers, based at the Liggins Institute, tested the blood-sugar level currently … [Read more...]
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Common in Kids and may Impact Blood Pressure, Heart Health
Obstructive sleep apnea, a form of sleep-disordered breathing, is common in children and adolescents and may be associated with elevated blood pressure and changes in heart structure, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. A scientific statement is an expert analysis of … [Read more...]
Long-term study finds faster breast cancer radiation treatment as effective as long course
A shorter course of higher-dose radiation treatment to part of the breast is showing promise in women with early-stage breast cancer who undergo breast conserving surgery, says a study led by Hamilton researchers. Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) sees larger doses of radiation delivered to parts of the breast affected by cancer. This treatment takes place in … [Read more...]
Endometrial Scratch May Help to Conceive
There is a much disputed claim that "injury" to the lining of the uterus -- whether inadvertent or deliberate -- increases the chance of embryo implantation and thus the chance of pregnancy in certain groups of women having IVF. The "injury" has usually been performed as a biopsy from the womb lining (endometrium), whose action is believed to cause a favourable inflammation … [Read more...]
New Zealand blackcurrants good for the brain: A Study
Research has shown that New Zealand blackcurrants are good for keeping us mentally young and agile, a finding that could have potential in managing the mental decline associated with aging populations, or helping people with brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease or depression. The research, conducted by scientists at Plant & Food Research (New Zealand) in … [Read more...]