Here are some of the latest developments in the world of health and medicine:
* Anxious Students Work Harder, Learn Less. Researchers funded by Britain’s Economic and Social Research Council have discovered that anxiety can be a major obstacle to learning. In one study, the researchers found that anxious students are more easily distracted than their calmer peers, and have a more difficult time shifting from one set of tasks to another. Another set of experiments revealed that students can perform well under pressure, but expend far more energy and effort doing so than do students with less psychological or emotional “baggage.” Conclusion: If you want to do well in class, don’t sweat the small stuff. Worrying will only make things worse.
* Sleep Shown to Be Essential to Long-Term Memory. How do short-term memories become permanent ones? Scientists at MIT now believe that sleep plays a critical factor in this process. Using mice genetically mutated especially for this experiment, the researchers discovered that learned experiences are funneled from one part of the brain to another through a biological “circuit” that only become active during sleep. These results suggest that sleep is not only critical to clear thinking and mood stabilization, but also to long-term learning. So if you want to remember tomorrow what you learned today, sleep on it.
* Weight Linked to Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women in the Untied States. Now, researchers at the University of Texas have established a link between obesity in young adults (age 14-19) and incidents of pancreatic cancer in later life. When pancreatic cancer does occur, it tends to be detected three years earlier in overweight people compared to those of average weight, and five years earlier in people who are obese. Also, overweight and obese people who get pancreatic cancer are less likely to survive than those who are slimmer. The researchers were unable to explain why this relationship between the pancreas and poundage exists, but if you’re looking for one more reason to cut out desserts, this could be it.
* Domestic Pets Linked to “Superbug” Infections. Fido may no longer be man’s best friend. A new study by the University of South Florida College of Medicine identifies domestic dogs and cats as a major new source of the super-bacteria known as MRSA. With increasing frequency, this drug-resistant and sometimes deadly strain of bacteria is being transmitted to humans by bites from household pets. Small children, who are more likely to play roughly with pets, are said to be most at risk. Should a child you know be bitten by a dog or cat, the researchers suggest you seek immediate medical attention at your nearest Hospital Trauma Center. Treatment should involve washing the wound with high-pressure saline if possible and, if deemed necessary, antibiotics. That advice applies to adult bite victims, too.
Professional Medical Assisting Programs at Everest College
Interested in a career in the fast-growing and exciting health care field? Programs that help you qualify for a variety of entry-level positions are available now at Everest College. For more information, please contact Everest College today!
