Masking for breath

Last year, Delhi air was so foul that we were set to beat Beijing – up until then the world’s most polluted city – in a battle of breaths. Everyone gasped, choked and then geared up for a tough fight, blasting it with air purifiers and bracing with an assortment of masks. While the purifiers come with many tech specifications, the anti-pollution masks are another ballgame. Because, just wearing a mask, any mask, is not going to help you breathe easy – it has to be the right one. Mumbai-based…

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A breath of fresh air: These plants purify the air inside your house

Plants are not just decorative — many are natural air filters that work to clean up the indoor environment, absorbing irritating or harmful chemicals from the air. We find out more about two such plants. Anthurium Origins and specifications: Red anthuriums are also called “tongues of fire” because of their bright red, shiny, heart-shaped blossoms. This plant originates from South America. Its flowers may be red, pink, or white. Anthurium is a natural filter for ammonia and xylene. Beware, however: the plant’s sap and leaves may cause allergies in sensitive people.…

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Visit Iceland in 2017 for these five natural marvels that’ll take your breath away

Iceland was one of the top travel trends last year with the Icelandair airline carrying 3.7 million passengers, a 20% increase. Popular with adventurous travellers looking for rugged and spectacular natural landscapes, Iceland is a haven for those who travelling off the beaten path. Here we list five must-see sights for visitors deciding to explore the breathtakingly exotic island country this year. The Dettifoss waterfall Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Located in the north-east of the country, it is 44 meters high and 100 meters wide. When…

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Cheap breath test may detect stomach, oesophageal cancers

Scientists have developed a cheap and non-invasive test that can measure the levels of five chemicals in the breath to detect cancers of the oesophagus and stomach with 85 per cent accuracy. Together, stomach and oesophageal cancer account for around 1.4 million new cancer diagnoses each year worldwide. Both tend to be diagnosed late, because the symptoms are ambiguous, meaning the five-year survival rate for these two types of cancer is only 15 per cent. Currently, the only way to diagnose oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer is with endoscopy —…

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How to Breath Correctly During Yoga: A Step-by-Step Guide

  Right at the center of human existence lies breathing. We wouldn’t exist if we didn’t breathe. One of the most common and basic processes of the human body, the act of breathing, remains wrapped under ignorance. In this feature, we attempt to get to the core of yogic practice – the significance of breathing and how to master it. Breathing influences the activities of each and every cell in the body and is linked to the performance of the brain. It is said that humans breathe about 15 times…

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Day-long smoke haze leaves Delhi gasping for breath

Day-long smoke haze leaves Delhi gasping for breath Delhi got an apocalyptic vision on Saturday of what its future could be like if pollution controlling measures are not implemented urgently. The city experienced a very alarming air pollution episode as pollution levels shot off the charts. A grey shroud enveloped the city through the day and evening with people complaining of irritable eyes, inflammation of throat and nose and a feeling of running out of fresh air -some even within their homes. The 24-hour air quality index (AQI) was at…

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