Category: Science

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Had Your Tonsils Removed? Here’s Some Bad News for You…

For decades, doctors removed the tonsils and adenoids from children who suffered from chronic strep throat infections. The reason is that the tonsils and adenoids trigger a first-line immune response for pathogens entering the respiratory tract, and can become chronically inflamed during our early years.

It probably seemed like a no-brainer to remove organs that don’t perform any essential purpose in favor of happier kids, but a recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery suggests kids who are missing their tonsils could be at risk for more illnesses in the future.

Photo Credit: MaxHealthline

The study is one of the first of its kind, but the massive dataset of around 1.2 Danish individuals lends serious weight to the results.

“Given that tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphatic system and play a key role both in the normal development of the immune system and in pathogen screening during childhood and early-life,3 it is not surprising that their removal may impair pathogen detection and increase risk of later respiratory and infectious diseases,” they conclude.

Researchers followed the health of participants from birth to at least age 10, keeping up with some until the age of 30, and found that those who had their tonsils removed before age 9 were 3x more likely to suffer from allergic or infectious upper respiratory tract diseases like asthma, flu, and pneumonia. An adenoidectomy during the same period was associated with a two-fold higher rate of those diseases, plus COPD and conjunctivitis.

Photo Credit: Lavur

In light of the results, the doctors involved in the study conclude that the procedures should be avoided when other treatments are available, and if options run out, the procedures should be delayed for as long as possible to allow a child’s immune system to develop further.

“The growing body of research on developmental origins of disease has convincingly demonstrated that even small perturbations to fetal and childhood growth and development can have lifelong consequences for general health.”

So, you might be screwed, but at least you can save your kids from the same fate!

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7 Facts You Learned in School That Are No Longer True

It stands to reason that, with technology and our understanding of the world changing so rapidly over the past several decades, at least a few of the things we were taught back in the day would no longer be applicable.

Even so, you may not have considered these seven “facts,” or when, exactly, they became obsolete.

#7. Who built the pyramids?

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It wasn’t the Israelites exiled to Egypt, since the massive structures were erected before the Jews existed.

#6. The names of the nine planets.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union decided that Pluto is a dwarf planet, and therefore doesn’t count. So there are only 8.

#5. The toilets in Australia.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If you’re still under the assumption that the water spins the opposite way down the drain in Australia, you’d be wrong. The reasoning behind the claim is the coriolis effect, but it’s not strong enough on Earth to affect small appliances like a toilet or sink.

#4. The hardest material in the world is…

Photo Credit: Pixabay

I bet you said a ‘diamond,’ but if so, you’d be wrong. According to the Scientific American, there are two substances that are (quite a bit) harder: wurtzite boron nitride and lonsdaleite.

#3. You can’t see the Great Wall from outer space.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

According to NASA, the Great Wall is only visible from a max of 1200 miles up – low Earth orbit, not outer space.

#2. How witches were killed.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In the United States, more witches were hanged than burned, especially during the Salem trials. Witchcraft was punishable by hanging here – in Europe, where the crime was heresy, more burning was done.

#1. Your favorite dinosaur is dead…again.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

There’s no such thing as a brontosaurus. Womp-womp.

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This Twitter Thread Will Educate You About Vaginas

Considering the fact that 50% of the population owns a vagina and a good percentage of people who don’t will have concerns related to a vagina at some point in their lives, it’s truly amazing how much people don’t know (or don’t want to discuss) about the female-owned organ.

Proof? Women still buy douche and wear fancy panties every day of their lives.

But Twitter user Alison Pool is taking us all to school – and trust me, you’ll probably learn something before she’s done!

tl:dr: Vaginas are like self-cleaning ovens. Don’t mess put cleaning products in them, let them air out once in a while, and if they appear broken, go see a professional. Oh yeah, and always pee after you have sex. #glam

And so it begins.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Now you know. Don’t let men tell you how to take care of your ladybits, friends. Do it your own damn selves.

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Australia’s ‘Man with the Golden Arm’ Donated Blood Consistenly for 60 Years

Every two weeks for the last 60 years, James Harrison has donated blood in his native Australia. But he recently rolled up his sleeve for the last time, as the country’s Red Cross Blood Service only allows people to donate blood until they turn 81-years-old.

Over the course of his long blood giving career, it’s estimated that Harrison helped save the lives of over 2 million babies born to Australian women.

Harrison needed major chest surgery when he was only 14-years-old and relied on the blood of strangers to help get him through the operation. He vowed he would donate his own blood as long as he was able to, and he’s been true to his word for six decades now.

Harrison’s blood contains an antibody that is used to make Anti-D, a medication given to mothers with a negative blood type. The drug prevents medical afflictions in newborn babies that can sometimes lead to death. Prior to the discovery of Anti-D in the 1960s, thousands of babies died from a disease called haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

Photo Credit: Facebook,History Nerd

Harrison said, “It’s a sad day for me. The end of a long run. I’d keep on going if they’d let me.” Harrison was widely praised for his selflessness and in 1999 received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Let’s hope many follow this great man’s example.

h/t: Mashable

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5 DIY Mason Jar Recipes That Will Keep Your Summer Bug-Free

My husband loves to be outdoors – fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting, you name it. Our young son seems to be following in his footsteps, which means I’ve been spending quite a bit of time sitting on my front porch and watching him play (and also saying “we don’t eat rocks/chalk/mulch/etc”).

Being someone who enjoys a warm ray of sunshine and a slight summer breeze myself, I don’t mind. But it sure is more pleasant when I don’t have to spend the entire time either covered in stinky bug spray or constantly swatting pests.

Which is why these 5 DIY, bug-repelling mason jars have saved my summer – and they could do the same for yours, too!

#5. All Bugs Beware

Photo Credit: Pixabay

This concoction can get a little intense, so make sure to lean away from it while you mix it up!

Start with just a Mason jar lid and 1oz of a carrier oil (like coconut or olive), then add 1 drop of the following essential oils: citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, cypress, and myrtle. Add water to fill up the Mason jar lid and leave it near where you congregate outside.

#4. DIY Citronella

Photo Credit: Brightside

Fill your mason jar with water, half of a sliced lemon, and half of a sliced lime. Then, add 5 drops of the following essential oils: lemon, eucalyptus, and citronella. Don’t mix them. Then add 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary and a floating candle to the top. Light it and voila! No more mosquitoes!

#3. Woodsy and Effective

Photo Credit: Instagram

Take a whole Mason jar and drip in 10 drops each of cedarwood, lavender, lemon, and catnip essential oils, then add 1 sliced lemon and 1 sliced lime and several sprigs of rosemary. Add your water and candle and watch the bugs – all types – avoid you like the plague for a change!

#2. Lavender Instead

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If you don’t love citrus, try adding 15 drops of lavender essential oil, 3-4 tbsp of vanilla extract, and 3-4 tbsp of lemon juice, then filling your jar with water. Add a floating candle for ambiance if you want!

#1. Got Flies?

Photo Credit: Instagram

Not anymore! Just fill a Mason jar with water, throw in a penny and put it where the jar catches some sunlight. The glinting actually drives away flies by mimicking a threat, so they won’t come near.

Truly.

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These 5 Morning Habits Can Jumpstart Your Weight Loss

A good morning sets the mood for the rest of the day, and that includes setting the tone for the way we eat. According to science, our morning rituals can even influence whether our lunch is big or small, and whether or not the body will use calories or store them “just in case.”

Bottom line? Our habits can cause weight gain – or promote weight loss.

#5. Drink a glass of water before breakfast.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Our bodies are 55%-60% water, so drinking a glass right after you wake up has some crazy benefits, like jump-starting your metabolism for the day. It also flushes out toxins and, according to this experiment, helps reduce body fat.

#4. Eat a big breakfast.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The time we eat is more important than what we eat, say scientists from Tel Aviv University, who proved that people who eat a big breakfast and a light dinner have a much easier time losing and/or maintaning their weight.

Why? Your metabolism speed varies according to the time of day – higher at the outset and slowing as you go. So, ideally, you’d have a high-calorie breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a light dinner.

#3. Don’t read the news in the morning.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Long-term stress turns stem cells into fat cells, says research out of Stanford University. Stress causes the body to produce adaptation hormones, which in turn promotes the practice of “storing calories” in case we need them later. The body only stops when the stressful situation ends, so if you’re constantly stressing yourself first thing in the morning but trying to lose weight, you might be fighting a losing battle.

#2. Walk in the sun.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Yes, even when it’s cold outside! Researchers at the University of Alberta conducted an experiment that proved lipids decrease in size when exposed to sunlight – basically, sunlight literally burns white fat tissue.

#1. Adopt a pet.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Not only will you be saving a life, but research shows that people with pets tend to be happier and better able to control their weight. They’re also known to have a positive impact on your emotional health, which means you might reach for a cuddle instead of a cookie (or ten) to improve your mood!

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5 Carbs That Can Actually Help You Lose Weight

There are a ton of fad diets out there, and a bunch of them claim to show you the path to weight loss (and sometimes nirvana, apparently) by completely giving up carbs. Which is silly to me, since carbs are actually the path to nirvana, in this girl’s opinions, but it also turn out that science has something else to say about carbs altogether.

Which is that they’re not evil, they’re part of a healthy, balanced diet, and we can’t actually survive without them.

So, if you’re wanting to lose weight and stay healthy, here are 5 carbs that can help you do it.

#5. Mushrooms

Photo Credit: Pixabay

They pack a lot of nourishment into very few calories, which makes them an ideal diet food. Use them to stock up on amino acids, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamins B, C, and D.

#4. Chickpeas

Photo Credit: Pixabay

They contain protein and great amino acids that help promote a proper metabolism. Not only that, but you guys – hummus!

Nutritionists recommend replacing products high in saturated fats with chickpeas if you’re looking to drop pounds.

#3. Wild Rice

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Wild rice is an aquatic grass, not a grain, and contains huge amounts of fiber, protein, and tryptophan. Don’t eat too much of it or you’ll be snoozing on the couch by 8pm!

#2. Corn

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The protein and vitamins it contains promote healthy skin, hair, and nail in addition to contributing to fat burning and a boost of fiber.

Protip: Mixing corn and beans, both of which contain resistant starch, a carb that dodges digestion, can make it even easier to lose weight.

#1. Pasta

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Yes, you can have pasta! Rejoice! Make sure it’s whole grain, because it contains complex carbs that give us energy and clean us of toxins in the process. Bonus points if you cook it al dente to preserve more of the good stuff.

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8 Cool, Surprising Ways to Use Banana Peels

Who knew bananas could be good for more than eating? More than that – who knew there were 8 (or more) reasons to not chuck the peel as soon as you’re done?

Read on, my friend, because now the answer is YOU.

#8. Whiten your teeth

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The potassium in ripe banana peels can help reduce yellow stains from things like coffee and tea. After brushing, rub the inside of the banana peel on your teeth for two minutes and then rinse. For the best results, you’ll want to repeat the process every day.

#7. Fight acne

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Bananas peels contain vitamin C, E, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese, all of which calm inflamed skin and can help reduce breakouts. They also contain lutein and carotenoids, fat-soluble compounds that fight inflammation.

Just rub the peel over your skin, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

#6. Reduce the appearance of scars

Photo Credit: Pixabay

We’ve talked about the vitamins and fatty acids contained in the peels, and those things are the same reason they can reduce the swelling and redness associated with scarring. Apply the banana peel to the affected area, leaving it for an hour or overnight, and repeat daily.

#5. Fight wrinkles

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Like the fight against acne, the vitamins and minerals in banana peels can help battle signs of aging. Leave the peels on affected areas for as long as you can stand (even overnight) and repeat 3x/week.

#4. Treat your headaches – even migraines!

Photo Credit: Brightside

Place a banana peel across your forehead and/or the back of your neck and let the potassium do its job. Even better if you can freeze the peel first and then leave it on until it warms up.

#3. Remove splinters

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The enzymes in banana peels contain a pulling acting that helps draw foreign objects to the surface of the skin. Simply apply a ripe banana to the affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes and your splinter should be easier to grab/extract.

#2. Tenderize your meats

Photo Credit: deposit photos

Place a banana peel (or a few) in your roasting pan for both flavor and moisture. The peel acts as a blanket, keeping fluids underneath!

#1. Composting

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Banana peels will add calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphates, potassium, and sodium to your compost pile. Cut them into pieces and bury them, then water soon afterward.

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7 Free Tips You’d Have to Pay a Psychologist to Give You

Who doesn’t love a freebie (or 7!) now and then? I know I do, and when it’s something you’d pay upwards of $100/hr to get if you made an appointment, well…bonus!

So, without further ado, here are 7 tips you’d have to pay for at the therapist’s office. Go forth and conquer, my friends.

#7. Step out of your comfort zone

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If you want to change your life – find a relationship, make new friends, learn a new skill, or land a new job – there’s a good chance it will happen sooner if you step out of your comfort zone.

#6. There’s a good chance your psychological issues stem from childhood

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Spend some time unpacking how your parents acted, why they acted that way, and how it impacted you and you might be well on your way to leaving the past where it belongs.

#5. Enforce your boundaries

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It’s okay to have boundaries and expectations that they be respected, even in personal and family relationships. If nothing else, enforcing your set boundaries will make the other party realize that you’ll stand up for yourself if need be – and that’s a start.

#4. Express more opinions, offer fewer judgments

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Accusing people puts them on the defensive instead of considering how their actions impacted you. If you simply tell them how you’re feeling, it gives them a chance to fix the situation while still preserving their dignity.

#3. Baby steps mean something

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It takes 20 days to form a habit, so each day, take a small step toward the new habit you’re hoping to establish.

#2. Spend more time loving yourself than worrying about whether others love you

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Comparing yourself to others is a waste of time, and one that can be damaging, at that. You have to form your own desires and personality, our own sense of self, and then be confident that no matter what others think, we’re being true to that sense.

#1. Let things go

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Change things yourself instead of expecting others to change – you can’t force other people to do what you want (or to want to do what you want) so you have the choice of being disappointed or making the change for you. The latter is more healthy.

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How Much Sleep You Need, Based on Your Age

Pretty much every single article out there that talks about getting and staying healthy – body and mind – will tell you that you need to make sure that you’re getting enough sleep. But how much sleep do you need?

It can be a complicated question that takes into consideration various factors like your age, health level, metabolism, etc. At least, it was until you discovered this handy-dandy chart.

Take a look!

Photo Credit: Brightside

Are you getting enough sleep?

Just as important is your quality of sleep, so if you feel like that’s lacking, you can click here for some tips on improving it.

Happy sleeping!

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