Counting the hours left for sleep only exacerbates insomnia.

These conclusions were made by scientists in the course of a study involving five thousand people who turned to doctors because of sleep problems. People worry about not getting enough sleep, then they start figuring out how long it will take them to fall asleep again and when they need to get up. It doesn't make falling asleep easier. The more stress a person experiences, the more difficult it is for them to fall asleep. Scientists have recommended removing fitness trackers and other gadgets with watches at night, as well as putting the phone away so as not to keep track of the time. This habit can relieve the symptoms of insomnia, which affects 4-22% of adults worldwide.

Placental disorders increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.

American researchers have identified more than 100 genes associated with the risk of schizophrenia. They are responsible for the development of the placenta, which feeds the baby's brain in the first stages of its intrauterine development. For more than a century, scientists have believed that the likelihood of developing schizophrenia depends on a number of genetic and environmental factors that affect only brain development. Recent data has shown that the health of the placenta is also critical. It can also affect the risk of developing diabetes, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Engineers have created glasses that read the user's lips.

They can be used by people with speech impairments or in noisy environments. Two miniature echolocators are built into the frame of the glasses, which receive information about the slightest movements of the lips and skin of the face. The machine learning algorithm analyzes them and understands the spoken words and commands.

Random snacking can disrupt brain function.

The scientists conducted a series of experiments on rats that were fed normal diets or foods high in sugar and fat. After that, they tested their short-term memory and studied the microbiota in feces. The rats that ate the junk food had more bacteria associated with obesity and fewer strains of beneficial microbes associated with weight control. The researchers also noted cognitive impairment in animals that were fed unhealthy food for several days.

Scientists have proposed treating depression with VR walks.

It turns out that VR walks through various spaces contribute to rehabilitation. Thanks to this method, different parts of the brain are trained, which are responsible for a good mood and restoration of connections between neurons. The development has already received a patent.

Tree Pose.

Trees have an excellent ability to withstand hardship while maintaining both flexibility and firmness. In this position, you can learn well to ground yourself, grow high, become stronger and wiser. Place the foot of the bent leg above or below the knee, without loading the knee joint, the supporting leg is active. Want to make the pose more difficult? Stretch both arms up. Make it more difficult? Close your eyes!

Use the power of the morning.

We all know the feeling when you want to take a little more nap after the alarm has sounded. Therefore, doing yoga in the morning can be a great test for our willpower. On the one hand, morning is an ideal time for meditation and practice, and on the other hand, it is a challenge for our body, which still wants to soak in a warm bed. But from experience and feedback, many gurus can say: morning yoga is just a matter of habit.

Women are at increased risk of developing asthma due to abuse.

Women who have experienced domestic violence have a 52% higher risk of developing atopic diseases than others. In particular, we are talking about asthma and dermatitis. These conclusions were made by British scientists in the course of a study involving more than 62,000 women. The fact is that in women who have experienced abuse, the regulation of the immune system can change in response to stress. The study has a limitation - women who experienced violence were more likely to smoke than participants in the control group.

Parkinson's disease can be caused by a common water bacterium.

Scientists have proven a link between the presence of bacteria in genetically edited worms and physical changes in the brain that are consistent with Parkinson's disease. The researchers hope that the discovery will improve the early diagnosis of the disease in humans or even slow its progress. New treatments will target the digestive system and surrounding nerves, not the brain.

Scientists stop allergy symptoms with a peanut patch.

Children from 4 to 11 years of age have learned to treat with skin immunotherapy - a patch with 250 micrograms of peanut protein. This is much less than in other treatments, which means less risk of side effects. Now scientists have tested the effectiveness of this method of treatment for children under four years old. The study included 362 children from 8 countries. After a year, 67% of the study group were able to eat from one to four peanut "nuts".

Coffee and tea improve eye health.

Drinking two to three cups of coffee or four cups of tea improves the health of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Tea and coffee make her nerve fiber layer thicker, reducing the risk of neurodegeneration. At the same time, scientists recommended not to drink instant coffee - it is associated with the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases and other problems.

A printer for printing patches with vaccines has been created.

Scientists have created a printer that allows you to print a patch with microneedles filled with the drug. The device can be used in the fight against coronavirus and other diseases. Once attached to the skin, the microneedles deliver the drug almost painlessly to the body and then dissolve.

Snail Pose (Vakrasana)

This pose is great for reducing belly and flank fat and strengthening the spine. To perform it, it is necessary to sit in a position with even legs, turn the body to the right, stretch the right leg, and bend the left at the knee. The left hand is at the bottom, slightly away from the body, and the right hand is on the outside of the left thigh. Hold this position for ten seconds, then return to the starting position and repeat on the other side. It is important to control breathing when performing, it should be calm and even.

Body awareness.

Few people allow themselves the luxury of stopping and listening to their own bodies. But it “screams” not only when it is hungry or in pain. Often, with all the busyness, you can easily miss the signals that the body is at the limit, exhausted. But if you ignore them, everything can end in a serious illness. The development of body awareness allows you to establish contact with your own body.

Sounds of nature help with gambling addiction.

The researchers studied the behavior of 22 Japanese men aged 25 to 60 who were diagnosed with pathological gambling. They were randomly divided into two groups, whose participants listened to the sounds of insects or the noise of the street. The subjects were also measured for physiological signs that could indicate stress or relaxation. For example, one of the sensors measured the heart rate, and the other - the level of oxygen in the blood. The people who listened to the sounds of nature were more relaxed and positive than the other group. In addition, they reported that their mood improved. Researchers believe that stress reduction also reduces gambling addiction.

Two hours of internet use a day reduces the risk of dementia.

Researchers have found that regular Internet use for up to two hours a day reduces the risk of dementia in older people by 43%. They can send emails, surf social media, or shop online. The researchers used data from a large study of the health of older Americans over 50 years old, in which participants were asked about the activity of using the Internet. In total, 18,154 people were included in the analysis, of which 64.76% regularly used the Internet. On average, regular Internet use reduced the risk of developing dementia by 43%.

The first intrauterine operation in history.

The first ever intrauterine operation on the vessels of the brain of an unborn child was performed. In Boston, it was possible to correct the severe problems with the vessels in the brain of the owner before his birth. Usually, problems of this level lead to fatal consequences immediately after childbirth - but the doctors defeated nature and the disease, reporting that everything is fine with the child and he is already at home.

Half an hour of phone calls a week can raise blood pressure.

In the future, because of this, a heart attack or stroke can occur. The results of the study are the same for both men and women. The scientists took into account factors such as age, body mass index, family history of hypertension, smoking status, kidney function, and various blood tests. Scientists explain the effect of calls by the fact that mobile phones emit low radio frequency energy - it is this that raises blood pressure after short-term exposure.

The Covid-19 epidemic is officially over.

The World Health Organization has said that Covid-19 is no longer a "global health emergency". The announcement comes three years after doctors first announced the threat. The death rate from the virus has dropped from a peak of over 100,000 a week in January 2021 to just over 3,500 now. The head of the WHO said that at least seven million people died as a result of the pandemic. However, some believe the true figure is closer to 20 million deaths. Experts add that the decision to lift the highest level of alert does not mean that the danger has passed. They urge not to relax vigilance against the spread of the virus.

Eating watermelon improves heart health, metabolism, and nutritional quality.

These conclusions were made by American scientists during a two-week study involving 18 people. It turned out that the antioxidants contained in watermelon juice, vitamin C and lycopene inhibit oxidative processes and are useful for the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system. In addition, the volunteers began to eat better in general. They began to include more vitamins, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and other beneficial compounds in the diet.