Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8uSNSFtyP3k   Bilingual individuals appear to possess greater cognitive or thinking reserve and appear more resistant to the scourges of mental decline.  This is the conclusion of Canadian research just published in Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders.   The investigators studied 75 bilingual and 83 monolingual individuals.  Those whose brains were stimulated with a second language had fewer symptoms of dementia at a time when their brains were already affected by advancing Alzheimer’s disease.   Memory and problem-solving prove over and over again to be governed by the “use it or lose it” principle.  To keep your thinking sharp throughout life, read, think outside the box, and embrace mental challenges of all types.    Matthias Berkes, Ellen Bialystok, Fergus I.M. Craik, Angela Troyer, Morris Freedman. Conversion of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer Disease in Monolingual and Bilingual Patients. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 2020; 1 DOI: 10.1097/WAD.

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/5QYhhM7LxNQ   Gamers new to virtual reality will have less dizzying nausea playing games with an immersive storyline.  Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo studied 198 VR newbies 8 to 60 years of age.  Half were provided with a rich, emotionally stimulating narrative before gaming, and the controls received only sketchy plot details.   After the experience, those given extensive story info reported less unnerving spacial disorientation and eye strain.  Wrapping the visual experience around a riveting story focuses the brain reducing the impact of unfamiliar sensory input.  Veteran VR gamers, wrapped up in the scoring, don’t develop cybersickness.   When trying VR, select an experience that will draw you in rather than to the toilet.    University of Waterloo. "Storytelling can reduce VR cybersickness." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 February 2020. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200213090724.htm.   #vr #virtualreality #gaming #cybersickness  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/_PKesQW6gcM   A just-published study from Columbia University now connects the dot for us.  Low quality sleep leads to overeating and poor eating, and those unhealthy food choices clog the arteries.   The sleep researchers studied 495 women 20-76 years of age tabulating their sleep quality and food intake.  Those taking longer to fall asleep had higher caloric intake in the form of sugar.  Those with the most severe insomnia consumed more saturated fats.   Lack of good sleep appears to trigger hunger and suppress a woman’s feeling of fullness.  The investigators also implicate a vicious circle with overeating and accompanying gastrointestinal discomfort exacerbating insomnia.    Poor sleep demands a fix. Don’t ignore it!.    Faris M. Zuraikat, Nour Makarem, Ming Liao, Marie‐Pierre St‐Onge, Brooke Aggarwal. Measures of Poor Sleep Quality Are Associated With Higher Energy Intake and Poor Diet Quality in a Diverse Sample of Women From the Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Resear

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/EHNeRhSTW-c   Adolescent sedentary behavior increases the risk of depression by as much as 28%. Even light activity reduces that risk by 20%.  Psychiatrists from University College London studied 4257 teens looking at the effects of their activity levels at ages 12, 14, and 16 on their incidence of depression at 18.   The study showed a general trend toward more couch time and less physical activity as teens get older.  When adolescents fought that trend with even light activity, depression scores at age 18 were significantly lower than average.   To keep your teens happy as well as physically fit, motivate them to MOVE!  Support their sports participation, and link their allowances to physical activity.    Aaron Kandola, MSc , Gemma Lewis, PhD , David P J Osborn, PhD, Brendon Stubbs, PhD, Joseph F Hayes, PhD.  Depressive symptoms and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour throughout adolescence: a prospective cohort study.  The Lancet.  DOI:https://doi.org

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/xFf9OKNt6t4   Sleeping with your significant other’s unlaundered shirt on your pillow will give you better quality sleep.  Psychologist’s at Canada’s University of British Columbia studied 155 participants who were given two identical shirts to use as pillowcases on two consecutive nights.  Their sleep was quantitated with actigraphy and a questionnaire surveyed their subjective views of the night’s rest.   Breathing in the scent from their lover’s shirt all night significantly reduced tossing and turning and created the impression of more restful sleep.  Sleep improved even if the sleeper couldn’t identify which shirt had the love scent.   The bottom line: have a significant other to share your bed.  You’ll sleep better and be healthier.  University of British Columbia. "Smelling your lover's shirt could improve your sleep." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 February 2020. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200213091723.htm   #sleep #lovescent #undershirt

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/uPhXjtP6PNE   Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram make it nearly impossible to put a broken relationship in your past.  University of Colorado-Boulder information scientists now explore the nuances of social media flashbacks with in-depth interviews of 19 subjects experiencing online suffering after a relationship disintegration.   Facebook’s Newsfeed is a prime offender.  Even if you unfriend and block your ex, new loves, new digs, and new victories may still hit you in the face from other linkages in your social network.  Then, mysterious eerie techno-burps repost bygone echoes from your ex.   Your defenses include unfriending, untagging, using Facebook’s Take-A-Break feature, setting up new accounts, and going cold turkey for awhile.    Anthony T. Pinter, Jialun Aaron Jiang, Katie Z. Gach, Melanie M. Sidwell, James E. Dykes, Jed R. Brubaker. "Am I Never Going to Be Free of All This Crap?". Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 2019; 3 (CSCW): 1 DOI: 10.1145/3359172

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/-BvAR_AAevE CJ Foods, Inc., a division of CJ America, Inc., of La Palma, CA, is voluntarily recalling Annie Chun’s Japanese-Style Teriyaki Noodle Bowls.  This product may contain undeclared peanuts. There is a risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction for children and adults allergic to peanuts.  The pad thai noodles may have peanut contamination. Destroy the product or return it to place of purchase for a refund.  Contact company at 1-800-459-3445.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cj-foods-voluntarily-recalls-annie-chuns-japanese-style-teriyaki-noodle-bowls-due-undeclared-peanuts   #recall #noodlebowl #anniechun #teriyaki #peanuts

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/c35S05K_eIY   Those carrying certain genetic variants have a 2.5 fold higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.  This from a Yale study of more than 900 subjects half of whom had developed thyroid cancer.   In those with 4 particular genetic variants, the risk of developing thyroid cancer was proportional to cell phone use.  The study did use data from 2010 to 2011 when more smartphone users were phoning than texting or web surfing.  Other studies, though, have linked cell phones to brain cancer.   Routine testing won’t reveal if you are genetically susceptible, so keep your handset away from your head by using wired earphones when phoning regularly.    Jiajun Luo, Hang Li, Nicole C. Deziel, Huang Huang, Nan Zhao, Shuangge Ma, Xin Ni, Robert Udelsman, Yawei Zhang. Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut. Environmental Research, 2020; 182: 109013 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.1090

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/q51DURWmSY8   Those high velocity blowers that force streams of warm air onto your hands release 23 times more germs into the air you’re breathing than paper towels.  Now this study was published 2 years ago, but it’s critical now as we face the CoVid-19 pandemic.   The British researchers also found that the airborne bacteria remain aloft for up to 15 minutes and that the driers and other surfaces are covered with deadly bacteria including antibiotic-resistant MRSA.   How to protect yourself?  Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before drying.  That’s Happy Birthday twice.  Minimize breathing while in the bathroom.  Use paper towels if you can.  Avoid touching surfaces after you wash.    E.BestaP. ParnellaJ. CouturierbF. BarbutbA, etal. Environmental contamination by bacteria in hospital washrooms according to hand-drying method: a multi-centre study.  Journal of Hospital Infection. Volume 100, Issue 4, December 2018, Pages 469-475.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/CScRRgmfaDA Walking ten thousand steps a day, the so-called gold standard for good health, will not prevent first year college students from piling on those pounds.  Exercise scientists at Utah’s Brigham Young University studied 92 young women during their first 6 months of college.   Taking nearly 11,000, 13,000 or even 14,000 steps a day did not prevent weight gains of 7 up to 13 pounds for the freshman year.  There was no correlation between steps and weight gain.    The secret to weight loss is simple: burn more calories than you consume, and make sure you’re not biking or running to the donut shop.    Bruce W. Bailey, Ciera L. Bartholomew, Caleb Summerhays, Landon Deru, Sharla Compton, Larry A Tucker, James D. LeCheminant, Joseph Hicks. The Impact of Step Recommendations on Body Composition and Physical Activity Patterns in College Freshman Women: A Randomized Trial. Journal of Obesity, 2019; 2019: 1 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4036825   #steps #exercise #freshman #college

Fanim Industries is recalling is Harbor Breeze Santa Ana Ceiling Fan due to an injury hazard.  The blade holders can break permitting the blade to be ejected from the fan.  Stop using the fan and contact company for replacement blades at 1-888-434-3797.   #recall #fan #ceilingfan 

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Gas-powered Gold, PTV, Utility, and Shuttle Off-Road vehicles.  The starter generator wire can come in contact with the vehicle’s exhaust creating a fire hazard.  Stop using the vehicle and contact company for a free repair.  1-888-525-6040.   #recall #textron #offroad

Yamaha Golf Cars, Carts are being recalled due to defective front wheel hubs. These can crack permitting the front wheels to detach posing a crash hazard.  Stop using the cart and contact your dealer for a free repair.  Yamaha may be contacting you.  More info: 1-866-747-4027.   #recall #yamaha #golfcart 

Family Traditions Meat Company is recalling its ready to eat beef stick product Arcadia MEATS SMOKED BEEF STICKS ORIGINAL due to an undeclared milk allergen.  Return the product to point of purchase or call company at 1-641-847-8116.   #recall #milk #beefsticks

New Seasons Market is recalling its Grab ‘N Go Vegetarian Lasagna with Gluten-free Pasta due to the presence of an undeclared soy allergen.  Dispose of the product, return it to the point of purchase, or contact the company via email, talktous@newseasonmarket.com.   #recall #lasagna #soy #pasta

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/n2nhVcbEieA   The virus and its pandemic has been renamed by WHO: CoViD-19. Co for Corona Vi for Virus D for disease 19 for 2019 when it began. Numbers of infected, hospitalized, and perished continues to rise quickly.  Get the latest stats from Bloomberg:  https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-wuhan-novel-coronavirus-outbreak/ and bookmark the page. As of this recording, DATE: 2/15/2020, TIME: 8:30am ; ConfirmedCasesWorldwide: 67,175; DeathsWorldwide: 1527. 15 cases in US.  Largest cluster outside of China on the Diamond Princess docked in Japan with 218 cases. Chinese cases suddenly rose by 15,000 when medical authorities there began diagnosing the disease using lung CT rather than virologic blood ID. CoViD-19 death toll surpasses that due to SARS = 774. No vertical transmission mother to fetus seen in China. Best defense against CoVid-19 and the flu:  proper hand washing with soap and water.  How long should you wash.  At least 20 seconds.  That’s the Happy Birthday song tw

Nuts ‘N More is recalling its Plain Peanut Spread due to potential contamination with Listeria. Return the product to point of purchase or contact company at questionsl@nuts-n-more.com    #recall #peanut #bacteria

Corinthian Foods is recalling Uncooked Sweet Potato Crusted Alaska Pollock Nuggets due to mislabeling.  The package contains chicken nuggets rather than fish nuggets.  Return the product for a full refund or call the company at 1-912-634-0240   #recall #fish #chicken #mislabeled

Save A Lot is recalling Coburn Farms Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese, Cherry Juice-Infused Dried Cranberries & Roasted Sea Salted Cashew Snackers due to undeclared peanut allergens.  Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Contact company at 1-314-264-7868.    #crackers #snacks

McCormick & Co. is recalling its Sunny Select Au Jus Gravy Mix.  This product has unlabeled dairy allergen.  Return or Dispose of product and contact company at 1-800-632-5847.   #recall #gravy #dairy #allergy