Photo: Internet NEW YORK, 11 Dec. (BelTA - Xinhua) - Children who spend more than seven hours a day on screens like smartphones and video games experience "premature thinning of the cortex," according to a new and ongoing study. Funded by U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH), the study plans to follow more than 11,000 adolescents for a decade to see how childhood experiences impact the brain.The first findings from the study is already available. By scanning brains of 4,500 participants, researchers found that children who use smartphones, tablets and video games more than seven hours a day showed premature thinning of cortex."That's typically thought to be a maturational process. So what we could expect to see later is happening a little bit earlier," said Dr. Gaya Dowling, an NIH doctor working on the project when interviewed by CBS News.Dowling said it is still early to tell whether the change was caused by the screen time, and whether or not it is a bad thing. "It won't … [Read more...] about Smartphones, tablets could change children’s brain structures
Affecting change or effecting change
Jade Goody effect has long gone
The Jade Goody effect has disappeared and lives could be lost, a cervical cancer charity has warned as smear test rates plummet to their lowest in 20 years. Recent statistics released by NHS Digital show women going for cervical screenings in England is the lowest for two decades. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust warns that more mothers, daughters, sisters and friends will be lost to cervical cancer if this does not change, adding that the ‘Jade Goody effect has long gone’. Across the UK cervical screening coverage has fallen from 72.7 per cent to 72 per cent in the last year - with more than 1.2 million women not taking up their invitation for smear tests. It is now the lowest it has been for 20 years, having fallen across every age and almost all local authorities in England. In Cambridgeshire, cervical screening coverage has decreased to 71.6 per cent from 72.2 per cent. Among those aged 25 to 49, this falls to 68.6 per cent. Screening is a personal choice and women have … [Read more...] about Jade Goody effect has long gone
Thousands of men battling prostate cancer denied “game-changing” drug
THOUSANDS of prostate cancer sufferers are being denied a key drug. Experts said a “game-changer” pill must be given to those with the advanced form of the disease. But the NHS watchdog ruled abiraterone, which can give up to 14 months’ extra life with fewer side-effects, cannot be offered before standard therapy. That involves chemo, which many with advanced prostate cancer are unable to undergo. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) ruled abiraterone is not as cost-effective, with a month’s treatment around £3,000. It said 7,000 patients a year will be affected, but campaigners warn it could be 16,000. Prof Paul Workman, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: “Abiraterone has been a game-changer. I am disappointed.” MOST READ IN HEALTH NEWSSUMMER STING How a cheap Avon product is being hailed as the answer to avoiding dreaded midge bites MIND OVER MATTER What are the symptoms of anxiety, how … [Read more...] about Thousands of men battling prostate cancer denied “game-changing” drug
These small changes to your routine will make a big difference to your health
Forget massive overhauls when it comes to your health and wellbeing – studies show you’re setting yourself up to fail. Instead concentrate on tiny tweaks to your normal routine to get real results. …For your teeth Ditch the mouthwash It can do more harm than good, says Eddie Coyle, clinical director at Bupa Dental Care. “Unless medically advised by a dentist for specific conditions, mouthwashes contain ingredients that strip away fluoride – hugely important for strong, healthy teeth.” Likewise, don’t rinse your mouth with water after brushing to retain maximum fluoride protection. Grab a straw “Fizzy drinks and cocktails can lead to enamel erosion – but using a straw limits direct contact with your teeth,” says Eddie. “And, even better, finish off sugary drinks with a chaser of water which helps remove any residue left in the mouth before it can build up.” Have a chunk of cheese for dessert Dr Mihir Shah of … [Read more...] about These small changes to your routine will make a big difference to your health
Florin Jianu, SMEs Council: too many legislative changes at the beginning of 2018, significantly affecting SMEs
Data from the National Council of Private SMEs in Romania (CNIPMMR) shows that, in the first three months of 2018, the legislative framework was significantly changed, as the Fiscal Code suffered 120 legislative alterations, which have affected and continue to affect the activity of SMEs. At the general level, official data shows that in the first three months of this year, 835 legislative acts were adopted, and over 45 percent of these directly and significantly affected enterprises, including SMEs (fiscal legislation, mandatory statements and contributions, etc.). Florin Jianu, president of CNIPMMR, said: “The number of changes in the Fiscal Code in Q1 of 2018 is 173 percent higher than in Q1 2017, meaning 120 articles were modified or completed in the first quarter – and the previous year had had a record number of fiscal legislative changes. With this huge volume of legislative acts adopted in the first quarter, we can predict that Romania will continue to hold the … [Read more...] about Florin Jianu, SMEs Council: too many legislative changes at the beginning of 2018, significantly affecting SMEs