Cancer rarely affects elephants, here’s the real reason behind it

Researchers have identified a “zombie” gene that protects elephants from cancer, a finding that may pave the way for a new treatment for humans. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 human deaths occur due to cancer, whereas less than 5% of captive elephants — who also live for about 70 years, and have about 100 times as many potentially cancerous cells as humans — die of the disease. Humans and elephants have one copy of the master tumour suppressor gene p53, which recognises unrepaired DNA damage — a precursor of cancer and…

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Move over cold medicines, exercise is the best cure for a runny nose

If you wish to fight the cold, you better start running. According to a study, conducted by the University of Guelph and the University of Copenhagen, exercise could help people exposed to extreme temperatures protect themselves from the cold. Shivering is one of the first defences against cold and it boosts the body’s heat production. Shivering can only warm you up for so long and after a few hours your muscles will run out of fuel and will grow too tired to contract. Exercise helps build-up muscle in the limbs…

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Why Do We Crave Alcohol? Here’s The Answer

Most people like occasional drinking or what’s called as social drinking, while some like binge-drinking on a daily basis. Some people are able to enjoy alcohol in moderation; others can’t seem to get enough of it. If you are in that stage when you need a drink or two to end your day with, it may mean that you crave alcohol. However, if you struggle to stop after one or two drinks, chances are you may be dealing with intense alcohol cravings. Why do we crave alcohol? What are the…

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Beware! UV Rays Of The Sun Can Actually Damage Your Eyes: What You Should Know

Not only can the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays harm your skin, they can damage your eyes as well. For protection, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology, wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Retailers say that requires a rating of UV400 or higher. Over time, sun exposure can increase your chances of developing eye disease such as cataracts, growths on the eye, macular degeneration and even a rare form of cancer, ocular melanoma, according to the academy. In addition, eye “sunburn” — known…

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Testosterone therapy could be the cure for drastic weight loss in cancer patients

Testosterone therapy can help prevent weight loss or loss of body mass in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and help improve their quality of life. Many cancer patients suffer from a loss of body mass known as cachexia. Approximately 20% of cancer-related deaths are attributed to the syndrome of cachexia, which in cancer patients is often characterised by a rapid or severe loss of fat and skeletal muscle. Melinda Sheffield-Moore, a professor at University of Texas in the US, showed that the hormone testosterone is effective at combatting cachexia in cancer patients. There are currently no established…

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Walk Barefoot On The Grass, It Can Improve Your Health

It is not a secret that spending time in nature is good for you. For years, researchers have been detailing how people who live near green spaces – parks, greenbelts, tree-lined streets, rural landscapes – have better physical and mental health, and practices such as Japanese forest bathing and Nordic hygge, which has a strong outdoorsy component, are being embraced here in the United States. Could grounding be next? I was intrigued when a colleague recently recommended a mutual patient – seeing her for stress management and me for nutritional…

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