Science news has been coming hot and heavy the last few days but little of it is completely new. Here are some odds and ends that follow on things we’ve covered in this space before. Read the rest of this entry »
Measured Out With Coffee Spoons
On June - 14 - 2010Comments Off
In 1819 when German analytical chemist Friedrich Ferdinand Runge was hard at work in his lab on the way to becoming the first person to isolate caffeine from coffee, he likely thought nothing of the Ethiopians who first cultivated the plant. He also likely gave little thought to the 15th century Sufist monks who cultivated and brewed coffee as a medicinal. He did, no doubt, have in mind how coffee had already become a ubiquitous breakfast beverage in much of the world.
Making this new discovery, Runge and his good friend Goethe were no doubt as excited as researchers publishing in the recent special issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease focused entirely on the effects of caffeine on neurologic diseases. Read the rest of this entry »
Women, Diabetes, and Cancer
On June - 11 - 2010Comments Off
As the obesity epidemic continues to spread, costing more and more money for Americans, Type 2 Diabetes has become more common as well. Obesity is the number one risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes, so this is no surprise. What is still becoming clear is that both obesity and diabetes change your risk of cancer.
Ibuprofen: Bane, Boon or Just Sometimes Handy?
On June - 9 - 2010Comments Off
It’s no wonder that ibuprofen is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever. It’s inexpensive, widely available, and seems to have few side effects. But like all medications, it is not free of problems.
Working out when it’s Hot Hot Hot!
On June - 7 - 2010Comments Off
Here in Fabulous Las Vegas we are experiencing record-setting heat. It was 110 F yesterday and today is expected to be just as hot. It’s hard to get motivated to do much of anything in weather like this, but here’s some ideas to keep you going when you work out.