Extras Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Study Highlights Noninvasive Hearing Aid

The AHA! Team — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:14:54 +0000

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist via EurekAlert! – New type of hearing aid using an array of micro-epidermal actuators can significantly improve the hearing experience for patients with conductive hearing loss A study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine highlights a new approach in addressing conductive hearing loss. A team of scientists, led by Mohammad J. Moghimi, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical engineering, designed a new type of hearing aid that not only improves hearing but also offers a safe, non-invasive alternative to implantable devices and corrective surgeries. The study recently published in Communications Engineering, a Nature Portfolio journal. Conductive hearing loss, which most commonly happens in childhood, occurs when sounds do not reach the inner ear. Sound waves are blocked in the outer or middle ear due to ear infections, blockages or structural abnormalities. “Treatment for conductive hearing loss can include corrective surgeries and implantable hearing aids, which can be very invasive, especially for pediatric patients,” Moghimi said. “Flexible hearing aids offer a noninvasive alternative.” To produce vibrations strong enough to reach the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for hearing, the research team designed a flexible hearing aid. The device uses micro-epidermal actuators to create vibrations on the skin behind the ear, which then travel directly to the inner ear, bypassing the ear canal. For the study, 10 participants between the ages of 19 and 39 wore earplugs and earmuffs to simulate conductive hearing loss. Researchers then tested arrays of the actuators to enhance the vibration strength, improve the quality of sounds and control the direction of the vibrations. “We found that using an array of these actuators, rather than a single one, significantly enhances the strength and quality of the vibrations, leading to better hearing outcomes,” Moghimi said. Moghimi also noted that improving hearing in children can reduce delays in language and speech development and boost educational development. “This technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for children with hearing impairments and transform the way we approach pediatric hearing aids,” Moghimi said. The research team will next focus on a larger study to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of the device in children and adults. Journal Communications Engineering DOI 10.1038/s44172-025-00369-7 To read the original article click here.

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How to Run Light on Your Feet & Avoid Injury

The AHA! Team — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 05:15:40 +0000

Joe Boland via Dr. Axe – Running is one of the best full-body aerobic exercises known to mankind, great for burning calories and working multiple muscle groups. Unfortunately, it also can lead to common running injuries, such as shin splints, stress fractures or heel spurs. The good news is there is research that may give runners a guide on how to run to avoid injury. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at why some longtime runners sustain many injuries while others never experience any injury at all. This is major, since up to 90 percent of runners sustain injuries that lead them to miss training time every year, according to some estimates. Conducted by folks at Harvard Medical School and other universities, the study involved 249 experienced female runners who were all heel strikers, meaning they all strike the ground with their heels when they run. Participants completed questionnaires about injury history and ran on a track with force monitors in order to measure impact loads. The runners were then tracked for two years, with the volunteers using a running diary and injury log during the study time. Over the two years, more than 140 runners reported sustaining injuries, with more than 100 of those injuries requiring medical attention. The other 100 or so reported no injuries, but of greater note to the researchers, 21 also had not had a prior injury either. To determine why this was the case, they turned to impact loading data, comparing the pounding metrics for those who have never been injured to those who have been seriously injured. Just as suspected, the runners who avoided injury landed far more lightly on their feet than those who had been seriously hurt. How to run light on your feet This is a huge breakthrough, since most runners are believed to be heel strikers. Turns out, this running technique does lead to more injuries because heel striking leads to a higher impact load on the foot, leg and body than landing near the middle or front of the foot. In fact, a 2012 study conducted by the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise examined 52 runners, 36 of whom primarily used a rearfoot strike and 16 of whom primarily used a forefoot strike. Researchers found that “approximately 74 percent of runners experienced a moderate or severe injury each year, but those who habitually rearfoot strike had approximately twice the rate of repetitive stress injuries than individuals who habitually forefoot strike.” They ultimately concluded that “runners who habitually rearfoot strike have significantly higher rates of repetitive stress injury than those who mostly forefoot strike.” Another 2014 study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy also found that rearfoot striking puts more pressure on the lower limbs, particularly the ankles, than forefoot striking. So if you’re wondering how to run optimally to avoid injury, you want to focus on avoiding landing on your heel. Those findings reinforce what was found in this more recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Dr. Irene Davis, the Harvard professor who led the study, said the findings also suggest that thinking about “a soft landing” can help. In addition, she provided some additional tips on how to run to avoid injury: Experiment with landing closer to the midfoot if you’re a heel striker. Most runners naturally land more lightly when they don’t lead with the heel. Slightly increase cadence — the number of steps you take per minute. This seems to reduce pounding from each stride. Imagine you’re running on eggshells or attempting to “run on water,” so to speak, trying to remain light on your feet. Davis’ Harvard colleague, professor Daniel E. Lieberman, had a few more tips on how to run properly as well: Don’t overstride. It places a big impact and shock wave that travels up your body. It also causes a deceleration of the body, so you have to work harder to keep your stride. If you focus on forefoot striking too much, you may overstride and cause more stress. Conversely, as we’ve noted, heel striking is bad. So focus on a flat-foot, midfoot strike. A very pronounced forefront or rearfoot strike is bad. Increase your stride rate. A high stride rate keeps your stride short and your bounce springy. Upright posture is important. If you lean forward, it puts big angular torque on your upper body, causing your body to want to fall forward, putting more stress on your lower body. Be relaxed. Don’t waste effort by tensing your upper body. If you’re a newer runner and wondering how to run from the get-go to avoid injury, keep these running tips for beginners in mind as well, in addition to this research: Warm up. Set a goal, and run consistently. Incorporate burst training. Cross-train. Get the right pre- and post-run fuel. Choose the right shoes. Watch out for uneven surfaces. Listen to your body. Stretch. Final thoughts Changing your running style is not necessarily easy, but it can really have an impact — no pun intended — on your injury incidence. Most people are heel strikers when they run, but this is actually detrimental and leads to more injury. Numerous studies have confirmed this, noting that rearfoot strikers put more impact and strain on their limbs than midfoot or forefoot strikers. Seeing as running injuries are so common and can interfere with exercise and training, it’s wise to focus on your running technique. Here are some tips on how to run with proper running technique by staying light on your feet to avoid injury: Warm up. Set a goal, and run consistently. Incorporate burst training. Cross-train. Get the right pre- and post-run fuel. Choose the right shoes. Watch out for uneven surfaces. Listen to your body. Stretch. Think about a soft landing. Focus on landing closer to your midfoot. Slightly increase your cadence, and potentially shorten your stride. Try imagining you’re running on eggshells or attempting to run on water to remain light on your feet. Don’t overstride. Land flat-footed or close to it. Run with upright posture. Be relaxed. To read the original article click here.

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7+ Ways to Stay Cool & Prevent Heat Stroke Symptoms

The AHA! Team — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:15:44 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body can no longer cool itself. The body suffers from dehydration because it can’t release internal heat into the environment, resulting in core temperatures of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The scary part The scary part is that most people aren’t aware that they are in danger of heat stroke (the most severe heat-related illness) until it’s too late. By then, they have become confused and delirious as a result of nerve damage. To ensure that your health is never put in harm’s way because of hot weather, take preventative measures to keep yourself cool and stay hydrated. It’s also important to avoid actions that increase your risk of developing heat stroke, like engaging in physical activity that ups your chances of heat illness, such as hot yoga and exercising in the direct sun. What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body becomes unable to regulate its internal temperature, causing the core temperature to rise rapidly, often above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s considered a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. Without prompt treatment, heat stroke can lead to organ damage, brain injury and even death. Types of heat stroke There are two primary types of heat stroke: 1. Classic (non-exertional) heat stroke This type typically affects vulnerable populations, including older adults, young children and those with chronic illnesses. It usually occurs after prolonged exposure to high temperatures in poorly ventilated spaces or during heat waves. Physical exertion is not necessary for this type to develop. 2. Exertional heat stroke This form affects healthy, active individuals, especially athletes, military personnel and laborers, who perform intense physical activity in hot and humid conditions. It can develop suddenly and progresses rapidly. In both types, the body’s cooling mechanisms fail, leading to dangerously high internal temperatures and potentially severe complications. Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion Heat stroke occurs when your body’s natural processes to regulate your core temperature begin to fail as you become overheated. It is the most serious phase of heat illness, when you become at risk of life-threatening symptoms. Heat exhaustion is the phase right before heat stroke, when you begin to feel signs of heat illness, such as muscle weakness and fatigue. The body regulates core temperature to maintain a constant temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the hottest or coldest environmental conditions. For this to be possible, the thermoregulatory system uses different physiological mechanisms in order to balance the heat produced inside the body and the amount of heat lost to the environment. When these mechanisms break down, heat stroke symptoms occur. How exactly do we fight heat illness? Here’s what occurs naturally to prevent life-threatening symptoms of heat stroke: When the temperature outside becomes too high, temperature receptors in the skin send messages to the hypothalamus, which is the processing center in the brain. When you become overheated, you release heat by sweating and activating the muscles in your skin. Your blood vessels also begin to swell or dilate, causing noticeable redness. More warm blood then flows close to the surface of your skin so heat is lost through the skin and into the air. Muscles in your skin work to increase heat loss by causing hairs to lay down flat, as opposed to raising them up in order to trap more warmth. Your skin glands also secrete sweat onto the surface of your skin in order to increase heat loss by evaporation. Your body will keep sweating, releasing internal heat, until your body temperature returns to normal. Once your body’s core temperature rises, all of your innate processes that are in place to regulate your internal temperature break down, creating serious, even life-threatening problems, like organ damage and loss of consciousness. Heat stroke symptoms Before heat stroke symptoms develop, you will experience a few warning signs. Generally, heat-related illnesses occur in four stages, beginning with muscle cramping, leading to heat exhaustion and ending with heat stroke. 1. Heat syncope (fainting) Heat syncope, or fainting, occurs when your body tries to cool itself, which causes your blood vessels to dilate so much that blood flow to your brain is reduced. This usually occurs when a person has been working outside or has been physically active in a hot environment. Besides fainting, a person experiencing heat syncope may feel dizzy, restless and nauseous. 2. Heat cramps Heat cramps, also known as muscle cramping, are one of the first signs of heat-related illness. You may feel like you pulled a muscle, even though you weren’t doing anything strenuous. Muscle aches and cramping are huge warning signs that you are dehydrated and need to get somewhere cool and drink water before your symptoms worsen. 3. Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion happens when the heat begins to make you feel uncomfortable and ill, leading to symptoms like: heavy sweating weakness headache changes in pulse cold, pale and clammy skin nausea vomiting fainting If left untreated, heat exhaustion can advance to heat stroke. 4. Heat stroke Heat stroke is the most serious of all heat-related illnesses. It is a medical emergency because it can lead to serious brain damage, organ failure and even death. The most common heat stroke symptoms include: body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit rapid and strong pulse shallow breathing hot, red, dry or moist skin severe headache fatigue minimal or no sweating, despite the heat nausea and vomiting muscle weakness muscle cramps dark-colored urine (even rhabdomyolysis) delirium confusion seizures unconsciousness aggression, agitation and other behavioral changes blurry vision dizziness fainting low blood pressure slurred speech pale skin Heat stroke is so serious because it can lead to organ failure and even death. It immediately affects your cognitive function and can lead to impairment. In fact, research has shown that approximately 20 percent of patients who suffer from heat stroke have long-term, irreversible brain damage as a result. That’s why some of the most common heat stroke symptoms are delirium and confusion. Your nerve cells are particularly vulnerable when the body becomes overheated, and your brain is made up of these nerve cells. When you experience heat illness, the blood vessels dilate, and blood flow increases. This strains the heart as well. Causes and risk factors Data has shown that when the heat index is higher than 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the number of deaths caused by heat illness increases. As you sweat in hot weather, you lose fluids and become dehydrated. If you aren’t drinking plenty of water to replace these fluids, you can develop heat stroke symptoms. There are also factors that slow down the body’s ability to release heat into the environment in its attempt to regulate its core temperature. Aside from being in very high temperatures, wearing dark or heavy clothing, being in direct sunlight, and engaging in physical activity are all contributing factors. Here are more risk factors: People aged 65 years or older: Elderly people, aged 65 years or older, have a harder time sensing that their bodies are overheated, so they don’t respond quickly to signs of heat stroke. Older adults also have higher rates of medications that can increase the risk of heat-related illness because they interfere with the way the body reacts to stress and proper hydration. Infants and children: Infants and children rely on adults to keep them cool and hydrated. Plus, they are more prone to heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses because of their greater surface area to body mass ratio. This allows for more heat transfer from the environment to the body. Researchers have reported that children can’t evaporate heat as well as adults because little ones have slower sweat rates, and it takes more time for them to start sweating. Children also have less of a thirst response so they may not realize that they are becoming dehydrated. People with chronic medical conditions: Research has indicated that prevalence of heat stroke and other heat illness is higher among people with ongoing medical conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory disease. These conditions don’t allow the body to adapt to changes in environmental conditions as easily or quickly. People with mental illness are also at a higher risk of heat stroke because they may not realize when the body is becoming overheated and dehydrated. Social isolation is associated with adverse health effects from heat so people who are often home alone may be more likely to develop heat stroke symptoms. People without access to air conditioning: Research has revealed that associations between heat and mortality are reduced or even absent in communities with high access to, or use of, air conditioning. Data also has shown that individuals who own air conditioners have a reduced risk of heat-related illness. Athletes: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the leading cause of death or disability among athletes who train or compete in high temperatures during the late summer and early fall months is heat-related illness. Research has suggested that the risk is particularly high in the month of August. People who work outdoors: Heat stroke and illness caused by hot weather are very common among people who work outdoors in hot climates. An epidemiological review published by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that at-risk workers include fire fighters, construction workers, farmers, soldiers and manufacturing workers who work around process-generated heat. Diagnosis (When is it an emergency?) If you’re with someone who is displaying signs and symptoms of heat stroke, such as trouble breathing, dry skin, fatigue, muscle weakness and delirium, call 911 immediately. Then move the person to a cool place. Try to cool him down by applying a cold compress or ice pack to his forehead or even pouring cool water over his body. Then wait until medical professionals take over. Don’t hesitate to call for help, as heat stroke is a serious medical emergency. Immediate treatment is vital. Treatment and prevention Studies have shown that when cooling is quickly initiated, and both the body temperature and brain function return to normal within an hour of symptom onset, most patients recover fully. For patients suffering from heat stroke, cold water immersion is one of the most common ways to cool the patient’s core temperature quickly. The patient must be exposed to cold temperatures immediately in order to prevent organ breakdown and death. The patient also may be given intravenous (IV) hydration and be transported to a hospital if he’s not already at one. Intravenous hydration is continued for 24 to 72 hours. In severe cases, medical professionals will administer IV magnesium sulfate to relieve muscle cramping. To prevent heat stroke, take the following precautions when exposed to hot temperatures: 1. Drink plenty of water The most important thing you can do to avoid heat stroke is to drink more water than you usually do because you are losing fluids through sweat. Drink two to four cups every hour when you are outside or exercising. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking fluids. By then, you are already becoming dehydrated and putting yourself at risk of heat stroke. Also, make sure that your children and others at a higher risk of heat stroke drink enough water throughout the day. If you’re not a fan of drinking water all day, there are other beverages that will help you to stay hydrated, such as fruit smoothies, veggie juice, seltzer, lemon or lime water, and kombucha. 2. Eat hydrating foods In order to avoid dehydration and the possibility of heat stroke, eat fruits and vegetables that are hydrating. They have a high water content and contain valuable electrolytes, which help you maintain fluid balance, keep blood pressure levels stable and help with nerve signaling, just to name a few roles of these vital nutrients. Some of the best hydrating foods to beat heat stroke symptoms include: coconut water watermelon oranges grapefruits pineapple berries bananas grapes kiwi cucumber...

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Halotherapy: Discover the Amazing Healing Power of Salt

The AHA! Team — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:04:10 +0000

Dr. Veronique Desaulniers via NaturalHealth365 – Have you heard about halotherapy? “Halo” literally means “salt” in Greek. For centuries, monks there and elsewhere in Europe used naturally occurring “salt caverns” in their local regions to heal respiratory conditions and skin ailments and energize the mind. Now, modern healthcare providers are getting into the act, offering “salt room therapies” for common health issues like, COPD and other breathing problems. Can natural salt really help you heal from chronic health issues? Centuries of practical use and modern research say “yes” – and here’s why. Halotherapy inside the modern “Salt Cave” is enhanced by technology These days, a person doesn’t need to seek out a cave to benefit from salt’s healing effects. Many modern “salt rooms” (called “halotherapy” or “speleotherapy” clinics) use “therapeutic dry saline aerosol microclimate” technology to ionize the air in specialized rooms and saturate it with low levels of NaCl (i.e., salt). The total environment in the salt room, including temperature, humidity, and salt concentration, is controlled by trained professionals through computer monitors based on the patient’s needs. Europe has a long and colorful history with salt therapy. In addition to the monks’ testimonies, in the 1840s, Dr. Felix Bochkowsky, a Polish occupational health doctor, noticed that salt miners were healthier than the average person, in stark contrast to their unfortunate coworkers in the metal and coal industries. Then, during World War II, salt mines were used as bomb shelters in Germany, and the same basic phenomenon was discovered. When asthmatics reemerged from the mines after the threat was over, they breathed easier and were in better overall health. Halotherapy is growing in popularity, and science validates its healing power In the 1950s, a slew of mostly Russian research studies verified the health benefits of salt. As a result, halotherapy chambers began to open en masse in Eastern Europe. Soon, halotherapy became part of many Eastern European countries’ prepaid socialized medical systems. Today, “speleotherapy” clinics can be found throughout Eastern Europe, including Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Poland. Salt rooms (and caves) are scattered throughout the United States, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved salt as a “recognizable medical treatment.” Halotherapy “salt rooms” are mostly found in American spas and beauty centers. Salt loads the environment with healing and life-affirming negative ions Have you ever wondered why a trip to the beach always feels so refreshing? In large part, the invigoration you feel near the sea has to do with negative ions released through massive amounts of salt water. In the same way, dry salt releases negative ions into the air, which is a large part of why salt is so healing to the body. These ions can attach themselves to harmful bacteria, mold spores, viruses, and other positively charged airborne toxins. As the air becomes saturated with negative ions, the load becomes too heavy for harmful positively charged pathogens, and they simply float away. These kinds of airborne pathogens, as well as man-made chemical pollutants, are the real harm behind indoor and outdoor air pollution. Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), based on half a million individual patient records, long-term exposure to pollutants in the air can lead directly to cardiopulmonary disease and lung cancer. On the other hand, being immersed in and breathing natural salt can greatly improve many chronic respiratory diseases and other chronic conditions. By the way, if indoor air pollution is a big problem for you … be sure to use a high quality indoor air purification system to keep your immediate air space clean. Dry salt “Dry salt goes deep into the recesses of your lungs,” says Ulle Pukk, cofounder of the US-based Salt Therapy Association, in an interview with Harpers-Bazarre. “It absorbs impurities from your body and helps break up mucus so you can cough out toxins. When you have clean lungs, you get more oxygen, which gives you more energy, impacts every organ in your body, and improves overall well-being.” Use a salt lamp in your home to get the benefits of halotherapy Salt therapy is 100% natural and safe for people of all ages, including babies. One easy way to enjoy salt’s benefits every day is to buy a Himalayan salt lamp for your home or office. These lamps are usually illuminated by a candle or soft light bulb placed in a hole in the middle and can add up to 300 times more negative ions to your indoor space. Their wonderful glow is relaxing, and you will also receive the many benefits of salt for more health and a vibrant, energized life! Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov Intechopen.com Halotherapysolutions.com Saltroom.com Harpersbazaar.com To read the original article click here.

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Impact of COVID-19 on Education Not Going Away, UM Study Finds

The AHA! Team — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:09:02 +0000

University of Mississippi via EurekAlert! – Student performance scores dipped following the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent UM research shows they have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The team discovered that a loss of life skills normally developed in high school that prepare students to succeed may be to blame. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student performance is well known, but four years after the pandemic, scores in college classes are not returning to their pre-pandemic levels. A University of Mississippi study might point to an answer. In a study published in a special issue of the Educational Sciences journal, three Ole Miss researchers found that student performance scores started a downward trend following COVID-19. Dozens of studies have documented the pandemic’s negative impact on education, but the Ole Miss team discovered evidence of a deeper problem. “We were a little puzzled at first because if learning was impacted by one big event, why didn’t scores drop and level off or start to climb again?” said Gregg Davidson, professor of geology and geological engineering. “Why did scores continue declining each year since COVID-19?” The researchers – Gregg Davidson; Kristin Davidson, lecturer in computer and information science; and Hong Xiao, assistant professor of computer and information science – make the case that it was not just missed exposure to educational material during school shutdowns, but a loss of life skills normally developed in high school that prepare students to succeed both in college and future careers. “As educators, recognizing that this is happening is important in order to be proactive about identifying causes and remedies,” Davidson said. These skills include time management, self-motivation, critical thinking and social interaction. Without these skills, students can struggle to stay engaged, manage coursework and seek help when needed, directly affecting their academic performance, the researchers said. “I started studying this before the pandemic when I was doing my dissertation for my Ph.D. program in higher education,” Kristin Davidson said. “I knew from day one I wanted to look at the difference between online and face-to-face classroom performance, because I believed there was something there. “Following the pandemic, the study expanded to determine if the impact of school shutdowns changed anything – and did it ever.” Prior to the pandemic, a student’s performance scores in online classes were often lower than for equivalent classes taken face-to-face. Highly motivated students who earned As in face-to-face settings usually got A’s in online classes, too. But students who received Bs or below for face-to-face classes were likely to drop by a full letter grade in online courses. For these students, the structure of a regular meeting schedule, with instructor-controlled pace, minimal distractions and fellow students nearby, normally translated into better performance, the researchers said. “Post-COVID, that structural benefit disappeared. The performance of students in the face-to-face classes dropped to be indistinguishable from the online scores,” Gregg Davidson said. Steady decline in scores The steady decline in scores in college classes provides additional evidence that students still in high school during shutdowns were more impacted than those already in college, he said. “The scores are a reflection of growing percentage of undergraduates each year who were in high school during the pandemic.” Hong Xiao analyzed more than 15,000 records from non-major geology courses over eight years. At the end of 2023 – the last year covered during the study – student performance scores showed no signs of improving. The findings The findings draw attention to the need for being intentional about life skill development before arriving at college and after. Those skills are critical for academic, professional, and personal success, the researchers said. “That can start with family,” Xiao said. “Family is their first major connection.” DOI 10.3390/educsci14111268 To read the original article click here.

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DIY Poo Spray

The AHA! Team — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 05:40:53 +0000

Candice Bruhn via Dr. Axe – Our bodies were made with a perfect system to bring energy in through eating and allow the waste to exit through, well, you know. As perfect as this system is, our poo does not always smell very neutral. In fact, depending on our diet, digestive health and overall health, odors can vary from mild to extreme. For many years, people have been sold on spray fragrances and fragrant candles to mask odors; however, these scents are often made of very toxic ingredients that pollute indoor air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Synthetic fragrances – host of health issues In addition to concentrating pollution inside of our homes, synthetic fragrances can cause a host of health issues, ranging from male reproductive problems, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer and much more. Before ever reaching for your synthetically scented poop spray again or purchasing the pricey Poo Pouri, try this all-natural bathroom spray — call it a DIY poo pourri — that serves as an affordable and effective alternative. How to Make A DIY Poop Spray It’s surprisingly easy and only requires three ingredients. In a small glass spray bottle, add 1 teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol (or rubbing alcohol). Next, add 40 drops of essential oils to rubbing alcohol, and gently swish to combine. I choose 15 drops lavender, 15 drops lime and 10 drops lemongrass. You can swap out whatever essential oils you have on hand, or go with a seasonal aproach, such as flower-like scents for the spring, citrus for summer, woodsy for fall and spices for the winter! Lastly, carefully pour in 3 ounces of distilled (or purified) water. Boiled water completely cooled (!) is a good alternative. Give it a good shake and you’re good to go. 🙂 How to use your DIY poo pray? Simply spray 3–4 pumps into toilet bowl, misting the water with this essential oil spray prior to using the bathroom. BONUS: This also works as an effective air freshener for after bathroom use as well. How does poo spray work? Essential oil–based bathroom sprays leave a film on top of the water that is said to trap odors from bodily waste and keep them below the surface. As waste hits the film and enters the water, a pleasant bloom of essential oil fragrance is released into the air, not only masking unpleasant odors, but also leaving a pleasant smell behind. The next time you feel the urge, give this natural bathroom spray a try and toss out the synthetic products. DIY Poo Spray Author: Candice Bruhn | Total Time: 5 minutes | Yield: 40 uses Before ever buying a synthetically scented poop spray or purchasing the expensive Poo Pourri brand, try this all-natural bathroom spray that serves as an affordable and effective alternative. Ingredients 1 teaspoon isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol 40 drops of essential oil (I used 15 drops lavender, 15 drops lime, 10 drops lemongrass) 3 ounces distilled water (boiled water completely cooled is a good alternative) Instructions In a small glass spray bottle, add 1 teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol. Add 40 drops of essential oils to rubbing alcohol, and gently swish to combine. Carefully pour in 3 ounces of distilled (or purified) water. Shake and use when ready! Notes Spray 3–4 pumps into toilet bowl, misting the water with this essential oil spray prior to using the bathroom. BONUS: This also works as an effective air freshener for after bathroom use as well. Prep Time: 5 min | Method: Mixing To read the original article click here.

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Homemade Frankincense Soap Bar Recipe

The AHA! Team — Fri, 23 May 2025 05:36:35 +0000

Recipe by: Kyra Oliver via Dr. Axe -This homemade frankincense soap bar recipe provides hydration and vitamins while cleansing your skin! It’s easy to make and free of harmful chemicals. Homemade Frankincense Soap Bar Creating your own natural skin care products can be both rewarding and beneficial for your skin. This Homemade Frankincense Soap Bar is a prime example: a natural, nourishing soap that’s simple to make and free from harmful chemicals. This soap combines the therapeutic properties of frankincense essential oil with the moisturizing benefits of pomegranate oil, all set in a gentle soap base. This homemade frankincense soap bar recipe is great for your skin. It provides hydration and vitamins while cleansing your skin. Plus, it’s easy to make and free of harmful chemicals. Try it today! Key ingredients Frankincense essential oil Derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree, frankincense essential oil is renowned for its skin-enhancing properties. It boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks and signs of aging. Additionally, its astringent qualities promote skin cell regeneration, leading to a smoother and more youthful complexion. Soap base The soap base serves as the foundation of your homemade soap. Opting for a natural, unscented base ensures that your soap is gentle on the skin and free from synthetic additives. Glycerin-based soap bases are particularly popular due to their moisturizing properties, which help maintain the skin’s natural hydration levels. Pomegranate oil Pomegranate seed oil is a powerhouse of antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It deeply hydrates the skin, enhances elasticity and promotes cell regeneration. Regular use can lead to a more radiant and youthful appearance. Soap molds Using soap molds allows you to shape your soap into aesthetically pleasing bars. Silicone molds are especially favored for their flexibility, making it easier to release the finished soap without damage. They come in various shapes and sizes, enabling you to customize your soap bars to your liking. How to make a homemade frankincense soap bar Making this homemade frankincense soap bar is easier than you might think. In fact, it takes just a half hour. To start, place the soap base in a glass bowl, and set the bowl in a saucepan filled with water. Heat on medium until the soap base melts completely. Once melted, remove the bowl from heat, and allow the mixture to cool slightly to prevent the essential oils from evaporating. Next, stir in the frankincense essential oil and pomegranate oil, ensuring they are thoroughly mixed into the soap base. Carefully pour the mixture into your chosen soap mold. Allow the soap to cool and solidify completely at room temperature. Once set, gently remove the soap bar from the mold. Store your homemade soap bar in a cool, dry place at room temperature. These natural soaps not only cleanse, but also nourish your skin, leaving it feeling soft, hydrated and rejuvenated. Other DIY soaps If you’re looking for other homemade soap recipes, here are some others to try: Homemade Hand Soap Homemade Laundry Soap Homemade Lavender Soap Bar Homemade Dish Soap with Lemon and Lavender Oil Homemade Body Wash Author: Kyra Oliver / Total Time: 30 min / Yield: 30 uses Ingredients ▢ 30 drops frankincense essential oil ▢ Soap base ▢ 5 drops pomegranate oil ▢ Oval bar mold or decorative soap mold Instructions Put soap base in glass bowl, and then place that bowl in saucepan with water. Heat stove to medium, and allow the base to melt. Remove from heat, and let it cool slightly. Add the frankincense and pomegranate oils. Mix well, and transfer to a soap mold. Let the mixture cool fully before popping bar out of mold. Keep it stored at room temperature. Nutrition Serving Size: 166g – Calories: 312 – Sugar: 5.2g – Sodium: 43mg – Fat: 16.6g – Saturated Fat: 13.4g – Unsaturated Fat: 3.2g – Trans Fat: 0g – Carbohydrates: 37.6g – Fiber: 4.1g – Protein: 4.7g – Cholesterol: 82mg To read the original article click here.

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New Biodegradable Adhesive Offers Safer Alternative for Knee Meniscus Repair

The AHA! Team — Wed, 21 May 2025 05:40:28 +0000

Taipei Medical University via News-Medical – Prof. Jia-Lin Wu’s research team from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, has developed an advanced biodegradable tissue adhesive to repair torn knee menisci. This innovative adhesive offers a safer and more effective alternative to traditional sutures, paving the way for improved recovery and reduced surgical complications for millions of patients. Natural polymers improve meniscus repair with biodegradable adhesive Meniscus tears, a common knee injury for athletes and older adults, are often treated with sutures that can damage healthy tissue and lead to poor healing. The newly developed adhesive, called ChitHCl-DDA, is made from natural polymers (chitosan and dextran) and demonstrates high adhesive strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making it ideal for meniscus repair. This advancement can improve outcomes for athletes, older adults, and others who face this common injury, as well as reduce the burden on healthcare systems. ChitHCl-DDA: Strong, biocompatible, and designed for seamless healing The ChitHCl-DDA adhesive exhibits strong adhesion and biocompatibility, forming a durable bond with meniscus tissue even in wet environments while supporting natural healing without harmful side effects. It promotes tissue regeneration by encouraging cell migration and collagen formation, which is essential for effective recovery. Designed for controlled degradation, the adhesive provides mechanical support during healing and gradually disappears as the tissue regenerates. Laboratory and animal studies demonstrated its effectiveness, showing significant improvements in tissue healing, reduced extrusion, and enhanced regeneration compared to untreated controls. “Our innovative ChitHCl-DDA adhesive not only bonds strongly in challenging wet conditions but also actively promotes natural tissue regeneration—paving the way for a less invasive and more efficient approach to meniscus repair,” said Prof. Wu. Rigorous testing behind ChitHCl-DDA’s success The research team synthesized the adhesive using chitosan hydrochloride and oxidized dextran, forming a gel-like material that bonds through a chemical reaction. This adhesive sets quickly (2-5 minutes), ensuring it remains in place during surgery. It was tested rigorously for strength, swelling, and biocompatibility, using advanced techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and rheological analysis. The adhesive was also tested successfully on porcine and rabbit models to confirm its real-world applicability. This new adhesive could reduce reliance on sutures and associated complications, providing a less invasive and more effective solution for meniscus repair. Beyond orthopedics, the technology may inspire further applications in tissue repair and regenerative medicine, impacting various medical fields. Source: Taipei Medical University Journal reference: Wong, P.-C., et al. (2024). Injectable ChitHCl-DDA tissue adhesive with high adhesive strength and biocompatibility for torn meniscus repair and regeneration. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132409. To read the original article click here.

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Who Gives Better Health Advice – ChatGPT or Google?

The AHA! Team — Mon, 19 May 2025 05:09:42 +0000

Dr. Chinta Sidharthan via News-Medical – Can AI chatbots like ChatGPT give better medical answers than Google? A new study shows they can — but only if you ask them the right way. How reliable are search engines and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots when it comes to answering health-related questions? In a recent study published in NPJ Digital Medicine, Spanish researchers investigated the performance of four major search engines and seven large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT and GPT-4, in answering 150 medical questions. The findings revealed interesting patterns in accuracy, prompt sensitivity, and retrieval-augmented model effectiveness. Large language models Some of the biggest failures by AI chatbots involved confidently giving answers that went against medical consensus, making these mistakes particularly dangerous in health settings. The internet has now become a primary source of health information The internet has now become a primary source of health information, with millions relying on search engines to find medical advice. However, search engines often return results that may be incomplete, misleading, or inaccurate. Large language models Large language models (LLMs) have emerged as alternatives to regular search engines and are capable of generating coherent answers based on vast training data. However, while recent studies have examined the performance of LLMs in specialized medical domains, such as fertility and genetics, most evaluations have focused on a single model. Additionally, there is little research comparing LLMs with traditional search engines in health-related contexts, and few studies explore how LLM performance changes under different prompting strategies or when combined with retrieved evidence. The accuracy of search engines and LLMs also depends on factors such as input phrasing, retrieval bias, and model reasoning capabilities. Moreover, despite their promise, LLMs sometimes generate misinformation, raising concerns about their reliability. Investigating LLM accuracy The present study aimed to assess the accuracy and performance of search engines and LLMs by evaluating their effectiveness in answering health-related questions and the impact of retrieval-augmented approaches. The researchers tested four major search engines The researchers tested four major search engines — Yahoo!, Bing, Google, and DuckDuckGo — and seven LLMs, including GPT-4, ChatGPT, Llama3, MedLlama3, and Flan-T5. Among these, GPT-4, ChatGPT, Llama3, and MedLlama3 generally performed best, while Flan-T5 underperformed. The evaluation involved 150 health-related binary (yes or no) questions sourced from the Text Retrieval Conference Health Misinformation Track and covered diverse medical topics. Search engines often returned top results that didn’t answer the question directly, but when they did, those answers were usually correct — highlighting a precision problem rather than accuracy. Search engines For search engines, the top 20 ranked results were analyzed. A passage extraction model was employed to identify relevant snippets, and a reading comprehension model determined whether each snippet provided a definitive answer. Additionally, user behaviors were simulated using two models: a “lazy” user who stops at the first yes or no answer and a “diligent” user who cross-references three sources before deciding. Interestingly, the study found that ‘lazy’ users achieved similar accuracy to ‘diligent’ users and, in some cases, even performed better, suggesting that top-ranked search engine results may often suffice—though this raises concerns when incorrect information ranks highly. For LLMs For LLMs, the questions were tested under different prompting conditions: no-context (just the question), non-expert (prompts were framed in the language used by laypeople), and expert (prompts were framed for guiding responses toward reputable sources). The study also tested few-shot prompts—adding a few example questions and answers to guide the model—which improved performance for some models but had limited effect on the best-performing LLMs. The study also explored retrieval-augmented generation, where LLMs were fed search engine results before generating responses. Performance Performance was assessed based on accuracy in correctly answering the questions, sensitivity to input phrasing, and improvements gained through retrieval augmentation. The researchers also used statistical significance tests to determine meaningful performance differences between models. Although some LLMs outperformed others, statistical tests showed that in many cases, performance differences between leading models were not significant, indicating that top LLMs performed comparably in many instances. Furthermore, the researchers categorized common LLM errors, such as misinterpretation, ambiguity, and contradictions with medical consensus. The study also noted that while the “expert” prompt generally guided LLMs toward more accurate responses, it sometimes increased the ambiguity of their answers. Key findings COVID-19 questions proved easier for both LLMs and search engines, likely because pandemic-related data dominated their training and indexing periods. The study found that LLMs generally outperformed search engines in answering health-related questions. While search engines correctly answered 50–70% of queries, LLMs achieved approximately 80% accuracy. However, LLM performance was highly sensitive to input phrasing, with different prompts yielding significantly varied results. The “expert” prompt, which guided LLMs toward medical consensus, was found to perform the best, although it sometimes led to less definitive answers. Among the search engines, Bing provided the most reliable results, but it was not significantly better than Google, Yahoo!, or DuckDuckGo. Moreover, many search engine results contained non-responsive or off-topic information, contributing to lower precision. However, when focusing only on responses that addressed the question, search engine precision rose to 80–90%, though about 10–15% of these still contained incorrect answers. ‘Lazy’ users Furthermore, contrary to common assumptions, the study found that ‘lazy’ users sometimes achieved similar or better accuracy with less effort, highlighting both the efficiency and the risk of trusting initial search results. Additionally, the researchers observed that retrieval-augmented methods improved LLM performance, especially for smaller models. By integrating top-ranked search engine snippets, even lightweight models such as text-davinci-002 performed similarly to GPT-4. However, the study noted that retrieval augmentation sometimes decreased performance, especially when low-quality or irrelevant search results were fed into LLMs—emphasizing the critical role of retrieval quality. For some datasets, like COVID-19-related questions from 2020, adding search engine evidence even worsened LLM performance, possibly because these questions were already well-covered in LLM training data. Feeding AI chatbots search results didn’t always help; in some cases, irrelevant or low-quality snippets actually made chatbot answers worse, showing that more information isn’t always better. Error analysis The error analysis also revealed three major failure modes for LLMs, including incorrect medical consensus understanding, misinterpretation of questions, and ambiguous answers. Notably, some health-related questions were inherently difficult, and both LLMs and search engines struggled to provide correct answers to these questions. The study also found that performance varied depending on the dataset: questions from 2020, largely focused on COVID-19, were easier for both LLMs and search engines, while the 2021 dataset presented more challenging medical questions. Overall, while LLMs demonstrated superior accuracy, their propensity to prompt variations and misinformation highlighted the need for caution in medical decision-making based on LLM answers. The study also suggested combining LLMs with search engines through retrieval augmentation could yield more reliable health answers, but only when the retrieved evidence is accurate and relevant. Conclusions In summary, the study highlighted search engines’ and LLMs’ strengths and weaknesses in answering health-related questions. While LLMs generally outperformed search engines, their accuracy was found to be highly dependent on input prompts and retrieval augmentation. Although advanced models like GPT-4 and ChatGPT performed well, other models such as Llama3 and MedLlama3 sometimes matched or even outperformed them, depending on the dataset and prompting strategy. Moreover, while combining both technologies appears promising, ensuring the reliability of retrieved information remains a challenge. The researchers emphasized that smaller LLMs when supported with high-quality search evidence, can perform on par with much larger models—raising questions about the need for ever-larger AI models when retrieval augmentation could be a viable alternative. These results suggested that future research should explore methods to enhance LLM trustworthiness and mitigate misinformation in health-related AI applications. Journal reference: Fernández-Pichel, M., Pichel, J.C. & Losada, D.E. (2025). Evaluating search engines and large language models for answering health questions. NPJ Digital Medicine. 8, 153. DOI:10.1038/s41746-025-01546-w, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01546-w To read the original article click here.

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