As Swine Flu Spreads, Conspiracy Theories of Laboratory Origins Abound

	As Swine Flu Spreads, Conspiracy Theories of Laboratory Origins Abound Perhaps due to the genetic makeup of the fast-spreading H1N1 strain of influenza — which includes genetic elements from bird flu, swine flu and human flu spanning three continents — there is considerable speculation that the origins of this virus are man-made.
It’s not an unreasonable question to ask: Could world governments, spooked by the prospect of radical climate change caused by over-population of the planet, have assembled a super-secret task force to engineer and distribute a super virulent strain of influenza designed to “correct” the human population (and institute global Martial Law)?  Watch the 3 minute video here

Oxytocin: Love potion #1?

	Oxytocin: Love potion #1? Relationships are difficult and most of us probably think at some point that communicating positively with our partner when discussing stressful issues, like home finances, is an impossible task. What if there was a safe way to take the “edge” off these discussions?
The biology of human social relationships is just beginning to emerge as groundbreaking research on social cognition conducted in animals is now informing research in humans.  Read on

Circumcision reduces risk of contracting HIV without reducing sexual pleasure

Circumcision reduces risk of contracting HIV without reducing sexual pleasure Two studies presented at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) show that adult circumcision reduces the risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the risk of coital injury without reducing pleasure or causing sexual dysfunction.

The first study, by researchers in Australia, shows that the inner foreskin has the largest concentration of Langerhans’ cells, which are the initial cellular targets in the sexual transmission of HIV. After analyzing biopsy samples from 10 uncircumcised and 10 circumcised men, researchers found that the inner foreskin has a significantly higher density of Langerhans’ cells than other areas of the foreskin. By removing the inner foreskin, circumcision removes the skin surface which is most susceptible to HIV infection, reducing not eliminating the risk of contracting HIV. No differences were found in epithelial or keratin thickness between the remnant foreskin, inner foreskin or shaft skin.  Read on

Four babies out of every 1,000 born in Australia

	Four babies out of every 1,000 born in Australia suffering from serious drug withdrawal symptoms A new study by Australian researchers has found that far more babies are now being born with serious drug withdrawal symptoms
The researchers at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Perth say the number is now more than 40 times higher than it was in the 1980’s and the babies are at greater risk of neglect and of being taken into care. Read on

Mind over muscle

	Mind over muscle One in five women between the ages of 18 and 24 are smokers, and most say they keep lighting up for fear of gaining weight. But researchers at Temple
University have found that when it comes to quitting, a little bit of dialogue and support can be more effective than an exercise plan in helping women not only keep off the weight, but also stay smoke-free. Read on

Evolution of human sex roles more complex than described by universal theory

	Evolution of human sex roles more complex than described by universal theory A new study challenges long-standing expectations that men are promiscuous and women tend to be more particular when it comes to choosing a mate.
The research, published by Cell Press in the April issue of the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, suggests that human mating strategies are not likely to conform to a single universal pattern and provides important insights that may impact future investigations of human mating behaviors.  Read on

Well Done Meat Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

	Well Done Meat Linked to Pancreatic Cancer Ordering your steak well done could be harmful to your health. A new study finds people who eat meat cooked at high temperatures to the point of burning and charring could be at an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Those who prefer their meat cooked this way were almost 60 percent more likely to get pancreatic cancer than those who ate steak less well done or did not eat steak at all. When researchers estimated the meat-derived carcinogen intake using overall consumption and doneness preferences, those with the highest intake had a 70 percent higher risk than those with the lowest risk.  Read on

The Consequences of Using Fluoride

The Consequences of Using Fluoride Fluoride has been used for over sixty years to help prevent tooth decay. Over 60% of people in the U.S. receive fluoride in their drinking water; some water supplies have naturally occurring fluoride in it and some have fluoride added at a water treatment facility.

Since the onset of fluoridation of the water supply there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of tooth decay. In fact, the CDC has recognized fluoridation of water as one of the biggest public health breakthroughs of the 20th century. Why, then, is there a controversy over the use of fluoride in drinking water and as a dental supplement? Critics say that the safety and effectiveness of fluoride has never been fully proven, and that it can actually be dangerous to consume with resulting health consequences such as neurotoxicity, cancer, and fluorosis among others.  Read on

NSAIDs do not prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia

	NSAIDs do not prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia A new study shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as the pain relievers ibuprofen and naproxen, do not prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia
Instead, the risk of developing dementia in the study’s very elderly population (most were over age 83 when they developed dementia) was 66 percent higher among heavy NSAID users than among people who used little or no NSAIDs, according to research published online today in Neurology ?, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.  Read on

See salad, eat fries: When healthy menus backfire

	See salad, eat fries: When healthy menus backfire Just seeing a salad on the menu seems to push some consumers to make a less healthy meal choice, according a Duke University researcher
It’s an effect called “vicarious goal fulfillment,” in which a person can feel a goal has been met if they have taken some small action, like considering the salad without ordering it, said Gavan Fitzsimons, professor of marketing and psychology at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, who led the research. Read on