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6 common vaccine myths — and a dose of reality

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microscope slide science
Vaccination rates have fallen, and preventable diseases are once again appearing.
Credit: Getty Images, AFP

This spring’s 20-state outbreak of measles was surprising if you know that the U.S. was declared measles-free in 2000. But with about 10 percent of Americans opting out of vaccinations because of confusion about the possible risks, health officials were not shocked. How did we get here?

Essentially, says Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who helped invent the vaccine against rotavirus, vaccination has been too successful: “I think we’re compelled more by fear than reason, and we don’t fear these diseases because we don’t see them.”

In the 1920s, his parents saw diptheria kill scores of teenagers. Offit grew up in the ’50s and ’60s before the development of vaccines and suffered through “all the childhood diseases,” including measles. “But my children, who are 22 and 19, not only don’t see these diseases, they didn’t grow up with these diseases,” he says. “So for them, it’s a matter of faith — and faith in who? Faith in pharmaceutical companies, the federal government, the medical establishment?”

We asked Offit, who is featured in a new NOVA documentary about vaccines airing tonight at 9 p.m. on PBS, to dispel some common myths.

1. Vaccines and autism are linked

Offit calls this a “cautionary tale” of what can happen when people are desperate for answers. It began with a British researcher who published a biased, flawed study in 1998. Since then, tens of millions of dollars have been spent on research to disprove it. The program notes that new autism studies point to brain abnormalities detectable in the womb — meaning the disorder is genetic.

2. Mercury in preservatives poses a hazard

Thymerosal is no longer used in the typical vaccines given to kids, Offit says, with the exception of some multidose flu vaccines. The mercury in thymerosal is not the same as environmental mercury — this is another case of not knowing where the real risks lay, he says: “The most dangerous aspect of getting vaccines is driving to the office to get them.”

3. Healthy people don’t need them

Viruses don’t care how many fruits and vegetables you eat — your body won’t know how to defend itself unless it has come into contact with the specific virus before. The only way to build immunity is to get vaccinated or become infected. “So you’d prefer it to see that virus in a controlled, benign way with vaccination, rather than in an uncontrolled way.”

4. HPV vaccine makes teens promiscuous

“This doesn’t make sense on its surface,” Offit says, likening it to “the notion that if you get a tetanus vaccine, you now feel you can run across a bed of rusty nails.” A study of more than 1,200 girls found that it doesn’t increase risky sexual behavior. What it does do is offer protection from the most common types of HPV that cause genital warts and cancers.

5. A few people opting out won’t matter

For highly infectious diseases such as measles, 95 percent of a community must be vaccinated. If the rate drops below that threshold, the “herd immunity” that protects those with the weakest immune systems is lost. Though measles was considered eradicated in the U.S., all it takes is an unvaccinated person being infected in a foreign country to bring it back.

6. The side effects can be dangerous

An allergic reaction to a vaccine is a literal one-in-a-million chance, according to the documentary. Moreover, analysis of data from the more than 35 million women who got the HPV vaccine has shown that is does not cause “mental retardation,” as Rep. Michele Bachmann claimed.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Drink (or not) to your health: Wine, tea and energy drinks

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women wine girls night out
Red or white, wine is heart-healthy — but there’s a catch.
Credit: Creatas

When it comes to our diets, we tend to focus on the foods we eat. But increasingly, scientists are looking at what we drink as having a significant impact on our well-being as well. We rounded up three recent studies that analyzed some of the most common beverages, with mixed results.

Wine

The heart-healthy benefits of wine have been used to justify having another glass at many a dinner party. But there’s a catch. The aptly named “In Vino Veritas” (“In Wine, Truth”) study found that wine only protects against cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol in people who exercise.

Though evidence for wine’s heart-boosting properties has been mounting for two decades, this is the first study that looked at its long-term effects on both types of cholesterol, which can foreshadow atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries).

Professor Milos Taborsky of Palacky University in the Czech Republic found that red and white wines had the same effect: Both wines, when drunk regularly and in moderation, lowered levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), and red wine drinkers had lower cholesterol overall.

But among people who exercised at least twice a week, the addition of wine not only raised their good cholesterol (HDL), it decreased LDL and total cholesterol for both red and white wine drinkers. Cheers!

Tea

Brewed leaves just pulled ahead of brewed beans in the competition over which is better for you, tea or coffee.

A study of 131,000 French people aged 18 to 95 found that having a cuppa cut the risk of noncardiovascular death by 24 percent, based on blood pressure and overall health.

The research found that coffee drinkers had worse heart health, especially when it came to smokers (a whopping 57 percent of people who drank more than four cups per day smoked.) Among tea drinkers, fewer overall smoked, especially those who drank more than four cups daily (29 percent). Exercise rates were comparable between the groups. Men tended to drink much more coffee than women, who vastly preferred tea. Interestingly, most of the benefits of tea were found in current or ex-smokers, with little effect on nonsmokers.

Study author professor Nicolas Danchin summed it up by saying: “Tea has antioxidants, which may provide survival benefits. Tea drinkers also have healthier lifestyles. So does tea drinking reflect a particular [personal] profile, or is it tea, per se, that improves outcomes? Pending the answer to that question, I think that you could fairly honestly recommend tea drinking rather than coffee drinking, and even rather than not drinking anything at all.”

Energy drinks

A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress has definitively linked energy drinks with heart problems.

The typical 8.4-ounce energy drink contains about two espressos’ worth of caffeine, which causes calcium to be released in cardiac tissue. This affects the heart’s ability to contract and use oxygen, according to professor Milou-Daniel Drici of France’s University of Nice.

Because the drinks are popular in clubs and during physical exercise, people tend to drink more than one at a time, increasing their risk of an adverse reaction, such as angina (chest pain due to poor blood flow to the heart) and even death.

Drici concluded that “the general public need to know that so-called ‘energy drinks’ have absolutely no place during or after physical exercise, as compared with other drinks designed for that purpose.”

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Ralph Lauren: New York Fashion Week

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RalphLauren

Ralph Lauren

It’s a jungle out there. To aid his girl trek the city streets, or, perhaps, an actual savanna in Kenya, Ralph Lauren sent models out the gates in safari dress: Fitted cargo pants in silk, cotton or satin; authoritative jodhpurs and army shirts with epaulets all in earthy tones of olive, ivory and black.

But his is a lady — and a glamorous one at that. Lauren balanced out the utilitarian looks with a hefty dose of razzle-dazzle. Big, sparkly jewelry, polished peplums, bouncy skirts and punches of vibrant color— seductive amethyst, canary yellow, mandarin orange — all found their way down the runway. The evening gowns, a house specialty, ranged from sleek and fluid to frothy (cargo shirts tucked into fluffy tulle skirts). But it was the one-off — a slithering silk white column with corset lacing — that stood out from the herd.

 

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3 NYC fitness events to enjoy the gorgeous weather this Saturday

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wanderlust health wellness hula hoop exercise
Wanderlust.
Credit: Daniel Craig

Wanderlust 108: A Mindful Triathlon
Sept. 13, 11 a.m.
Prospect Park
Long Meadow Battlefields, Prospect Heights
$68, www.brooklyn.wanderlustfestival.com

It’s going to be a healthy weekend! Combining a 5k run, inspirational meditation and yoga with live music, healthy food and games, the Wanderlust Triathlon will help you take mindfulness and body to new levels. Yoga and meditation with Seane Corn, MC Yogi and Elena Brower, live tunes by High & Mighty Brass Band and more, plus talks from Dan Karris, Keith Mitchell and many others.

The Skyride
Sept. 13, 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 a.m.
Mondrian SoHo
$50, www.cycfitness.com
Cyc Fitness and fitness brand Lole take over the rooftop of the Mondrian SoHo for three sessions of an hourlong hybrid class: a 30-minunte ride and a 30-minute hip-hop yoga session. Your workout will be rewarded with cocktails, pressed juices, a massage station and swag.

SweatFest
Sept. 13, 11 a.m.
Hudson River Park, Pier 46
Free, www.athletesclub.com

You need to work out. You’ve been talking about it since it was your New Year’s resolution, and here’s a chance to make up for lost time. Take part in any, or all, of three 40-minute classes with Barry’s Bootcamp, The Movement or Brick New York while enjoying amazing views of the Hudson River.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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DIY design: Try this upcycle furniture project from TerraCycle

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Tiffany Threadgould carries her dog, Tia, in one of TerraCycle's upcycled vintage U.S. Postal Service bags. /  Chris Crane
Tiffany Threadgould carries her dog, Tia, in one of TerraCycle’s upcycled vintage U.S. Postal Service bags. / Chris Crane

Tiffany Threadgould is living a DIY life. The Chief Design Junkie at TerraCycle, an international waste management company headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, grew up recycling. So when it came time to furnish her post-college New York City apartment on the cheap, upcycling was a natural next step. “I was just taking cast offs from the street and making things from found objects,” Threadgould says. “It wasn’t really environmental — it was more about cost.”

She carried the same aesthetic into her job at TerraCycle and the home she later bought in Philadelphia, which she shares with an upcycled pet, rescue dog Tia. But you don’t have to be a DIY design junkie or get overwhelmed with “a ton of visual clutter” to incorporate the upcycled look into your home, Threadgould promises.

“The design is most successful when you first see what it is now,” she says. “If you have a table made from a door, it should be seen as a table. And then you can have that ‘aha!’ moment of ‘oh, that used to be a door!’”

As seen on TV

Terracycle is a “waste management company that does really cool things with garbage,” Threadgould says. “We focus on hard-to-recycle materials that don’t typically have existing recycling facilities.”

The company works with major brands — like Colgate and Scotch Tape — in 23 countries, collecting and recycling everything from used packaging to cigarette butts.

See Threadgould and the rest of the TerraCycle crew at work at the docu-comedy “Human Resources,” Fridays at 10 p.m. on Pivot.

Turn a door into a one-of-a-kind kitchen table

Time: 2 hours (plus drying time)

Cost: $14–$75

Materials:
An old door
Four table legs, such as Adils from Ikea
¼-inch glass (optional)
Rubber spacers (optional)

Tools:
Paint
Paintbrush or roller
Shellac
Drill

Steps:

door-table-illos-step1
Choose your door. The best places to find an old door are asking neighbors or friends, or even in your own basement. Paint it and let it dry. If you’re using acrylic house paint, then coat with a layer of shellac after the paint is dry.

door-table-illos-step2
Attach the table legs to the four corners on the bottom side of the door. If you’re using a hollow door, make sure the legs come to the edge, to ensure that the screws are fully secured.

8icecreambankFlip your table over. Add glass, if you’d like. If you have beveled panels, measure the panels and subtract a ¼” from your measurements. Get your glass cut at your local hardware or framing store or online. If the bevel is more than ¼ inch, use rubber spacers to make the glass flush with the rest of the table surface. You can also cover the entire door, if you’d like, just be extremely careful of sharp edges.

door-table-hi-res4

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5 ways exercise (even a little!) boosts your brainpower

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women walking meeting conference exercise
Want to make your meeting productive? Try taking it out of the conference room.
Credit: ThinkStock

Research is pointing firmly to sitting as the new smoking. While most people know that exercise can curb obesity, heart disease and even certain types of cancer, it also has immediate effects on brainpower. “Physical exercise turns our brain on,” says John Ratey, a psychiatry professor at Harvard University.

As it’s become widely accepted that some form of aerobic workout is the most beneficial, harder regimens like CrossFit and endurance races have popularized. A jog around the block no longer seems adequate. But that’s not so.

Ratey, a 66-year-old exercise advocate who has been known to make his audiences do Hindu squats, wants to take the focus off people’s choice
of activity. You don’t have to push yourself to the limit to gain the benefits of exercise, he says: “Get out and walk!”

1. Improve your meetings

Some of the most creative companies in the world like Google, Facebook and Apple are known for their walking meetings. Interestingly, the surroundings and environment don’t greatly impact thinking, according to a recent study: “I thought walking outside would blow everything out of the water, but walking on a treadmill in a small, boring room still had strong results, which surprised me,” explains co-author Marily Oppezzo.

exercise free weights bicep curls woman gym

2. Enjoy a lifetime of learning

Getting your body moving will improve your ability to retain and manipulate information. “Doing exercise promotes improvement overall in our capacity to learn,” Ratey says. “What it does in the brain is immense and it really improves the brain’s ability to be [adaptable]. The only way we learn anything is to have ourselves grow at the nerve cell level, so exercise is the best promoter of that.”

3. Become a morning person

A quick trot up to the office might just be what’s needed to prevent that morning meeting sluggishness. In a recent study, researchers from Stanford University found that even a 10-minute walk stimulates creativity inside the brain. “[Study subjects] who were walking were more talkative than those sitting down — their ideas are more active and more urgent in streaming out,” study
co-author Dan Schwartz
tells us.

4. Stay at the top of your game

Being active is vital to preventing the onset of cognitive decline that causes dementia and Alzheimer’s, which can’t necessarily be kept at bay through brain teasers like Sudoku and crosswords alone.

5. Runner’s high is real

Aside from the long-term benefits, there’s also that feel-good factor: The neurotransmitters serotonin (pleasure), noradrenaline (concentration) and dopamine (alertness) are all released during exercise.

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Race to help hungry New Yorkers with Run 10 Feed 10

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run 10 feed 10 nyc charity run hunger poverty
Run 10 Feed 10 is in its third year.
Credit: Provided

The concept is simple: Run 10K to feed 10 people.

Join thousands of New Yorkers, including FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren, for the third annual NYC Run 10 Feed 10, which takes place this Sunday beginning with a timed run along the West Side Highway and followed by a post-race wellness festival including yoga, nutrition and beauty sessions at Pier 84 in Hudson River Park.

Metro readers get $5 off the registration fee with the code R10F10PR. The money raised will benefit hunger-related charities in the metropolitan area.

To date, 2.5 million meals have been raised during Run 10 Feed 10 races nationwide. And to keep the good deeds going all year, download and shop through the PlanG app, which earns donations that directly benefit The FEED Foundation with every purchase. $55, Sept. 21, 7 a.m., www.run10feed10.com

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Wellbeing: Daybreaker returns, Ray Rice jersey trade, Sweet September, FOCOS gala

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Ray Rice has was fired after being caught on tape hitting his wife.
Credit: Getty Images

Fight abuse with Ray Rice jerseys

Now that Ray Rice is no longer with the Baltimore Ravens — or any other NFL team — after video footage surfaced showing him battering his wife in an elevator, sideBAR is turning your unwanted Rice jerseys into a $100 donation to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which advocates for legislation to protect women and children in abusive homes. Through September, 118 E. 15th St., www.sidebarny.com

 

First Daybreaker of fall is here

The morning dance party Daybreaker resumes Thursday, with beats by DJ Bender, pre-dance yoga, fresh juices and coffee. To get tickets for autumn’s first sober rave at The Ainsworth (122 W. 26th St.) you’ll need the password (psst: “sunrise”). Sept. 18; 6 a.m. yoga, 7 a.m. party, www.dybrkr.com

Eat dessert to help Citymeals

Satisfy your sweet tooth to benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels, which provides meals for homebound elderly New Yorkers. Each restaurant will donate at least $1 of each dish sold as part of Sweet September. Through Sept. 21, www.citymeals.org

• Aureole (Vacherin)
• DBGB (Mocha Sundae)
• Make My Cake (Citymeals Cupcakes, Sweet Potato Pound Cake)
• Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C.
• Rotisserie Georgette (Tarte Tatin for Two)
• Schnipper (milkshakes)
• Sprinkles Cupcakes (cookies and brownies)
• Telepan (Peanut Butter & Chocolate Gianduja)
• Tribeca Grill (Coffee Hazelnut Torte) 

Benefit for health care in Africa

The nonprofit Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine is holding its annual FOCOS Gala to continue bringing orthopedic medical care to West Africa. Live and silent auctions will raise funds for the FOCOS Institute, a medical education hub in Ghana. The organization will honor NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo with its Humanitarian Award. $300+, Sept. 29, 6 p.m., www.orthofocos.org

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Top chefs share their recipes in UNICEF’s new book, ‘UNICHEF’

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"UNICHEF" comes out September 26. Credit: Getty Images
“UNICHEF” comes out September 26.
Credit: Getty Images

Forty of the world’s most respected chefs, including Mario Batali, Jamie Oliver, Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse are sharing their cooking secrets, all in support of UNICEF. In the new book, “UNICHEF,” the chefs each share a recipe and an autobiographical story of the cultural and personal significance of food. All the royalties from the book – a full 100 percent – go directly to The U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Food conjures up warm memories for everyone and the hope is that with the profits from “UNICHEF,” children who do not have regular access to food will also be fed, so they can experience the joys of sharing a meal; a simple joy everyone deserves.

Hilary Gumbel, who is a member on The U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s board of directors conceptualized the book and contacting the world renowned chefs in hopes they would all collaborate on this project. “Each chef who contributed to this book said yes, because it meant they were going to be helping to provide children and their families with the means to a better life,” Gumbel says in the book’s introduction. “I only had to explain that my goal was to maximize the strength and visibility they could bring to UNICEF’s mission of helping others. Each chef generously donated recipes, photographs and time in an effort to build this mosaic volume of traditions, tastes, foods and cultural values.

The result is a beautiful hardcover book full of glossy photos and delicious recipes from around the world. Daniel Boulud tells a childhood memory of tending to his grandmother’s farm and shares his recipe for short ribs miroton. Cat Cora talks about her mother making her favorite meal, kota kapama (chicken stewed in garlic and cinnamon) on her birthday. Wolfgang Puck reminisces about his mother’s delicious holiday cookies, which he devoured while growing up in Austria. The stories themselves are as rich as  the recipes.

“UNICHEF” will be available for purchase at HSN.com, Glitteratilncorporated.com, Amazon.com and shop/unifecusa.org started September 26.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence

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Beverly Hills ‘Housewives’ star Kyle Richards gets real about chronic dry eye

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kyle richards husband real housewives of beverly hills
Kyle Richards, with husband Mauricio Umansky, says the fun of “Real Housewives” can sometimes get lost in the drama. But it’s there!
Credit: FilmMagic

 

In the upcoming fifth season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” fans will see a more confident Kyle Richards.

The actress started noticing something was wrong about five years ago, when she first began filming the reality TV show: “My eyes were constantly bothering me.

“When I was filming, I was constantly turning away from the camera, putting drops in my eyes — then my mascara would run,” she says.

Richards, 45, finally sought a diagnosis about eight months ago and was told she had chronic dry eye, in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears. Besides being necessary for reality TV waterworks, tears reduce the risk of eye infection and keep vision clear, according to the American Optometric Association. 

Richards is managing her condition with Restasis, and says she’s given up her stash of false tears and is focused on the real drama. She admits that “Real Housewives” can take a toll, specifically her clash with former cast mate Carlton Gebbia. “When we’re fighting and there’s a conflict, it does stress me out and causes a lot of anxiety.”

The flip side is that the housewives are also friends, sharing experiences that Richards had missed out on — she got married at 18 and had her first daughter at 19. “When we do our girls trips, that’s fun, I never got to do that kind of stuff.”

New to the Bravo series next season is “Young & the Restless” star Eileen Davidson — but old conflicts haven’t been set aside. “There’s new relationships and old relationships — either mending or not mending.”

A new adventure for Alexia

When we caught up with Richards, she was taking a break from filming “Real Housewives” to send off her daughter, Alexia, to begin college in Arizona. “My whole family, my husband and four daughters, all came to see her off to college,” she says. Things got a bit emotional: “My husband and I are like, ‘I thought we’re supposed to be excited — why are we pushing college education so much? This is a nightmare!’ It’s so rough.”

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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NYC’s doctor-patient ratio is highest of any US city

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primary care physician doctor caregiver mother baby doctor's office
Primary caregivers like pediatricians are in short supply, and nowhere more than in NYC according to a new analysis.
Credit: Getty

Seeing a primary care physician is getting more difficult across the country, but new data shows just how bad the problem is — particularly in NYC.

The data, compiled by the physician recommendation service BetterDoctor.com, found that New Yorkers face the longest odds of getting an appointment: The city has the fewest primary care doctors of any in the U.S., just one for every 912 residents.

BetterDoctor focused on primary care physicians because, as the first line of defense for both sudden illnesses and ongoing support, they’re in the highest demand and shortest supply. Primary care doctors were defined as family and general practitioners, internists or pediatricians.

Here are the 10 cities with the worst doctor-patient ratios:

1: New York (912)
2: Los Angeles (531)
3: San Antonio, Texas (531)
4: Jacksonville, Florida (447)
5: Greensboro, North Carolina (418)
6: Raleigh, North Carolina (379)
7: Phoenix, Arizona (353)
8: Columbus, Ohio (310)
9: Albuquerque, New Mexico (309)
10: Norfolk, Virginia (297)

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Suicide study finds surprising link to sunshine

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sunshine woman scarf houndstooth coat
Initially, sunshine can make you feel more impulsive, which can be a problem for people with suicidal tendencies.

Scientists have found a link between sunlight and suicide rates — but not in the way you’d expect.

As summer winds down, concern turns to seasonal affective disorder, in which too little sun can bring on depression. But the data shows that it’s in springtime, as days get longer again and sunshine returns, that the suicide rate peaks.

Studies on seasonal variations among suicides have been done for centuries, but the actual effect of sunshine has been unclear because, along with changes in sunlight, new seasons bring temperature changes and other factors that may influence suicide risk, such as holidays. 

Three decades of data

The team of scientists led by Dr. Matthaeus Willeit from the University of Vienna took a closer look at the role of sunshine by using information on 69,462 suicides that occurred in Austria between January 1970 and May 2010. That information was then matched to data collected from 86 weather stations that recorded the hours of sunshine per day.

What happens on sunny days

Willeit’s team discovered a correlation: Suicide risk went up with the amount of sunshine over the previous 10 days. However, it also decreased with increasing sun exposure between 14 to 60 days earlier. Sunlight, they suggest, may increase the risk of suicide over a short period but actually protect against it over a longer period of time.

Lower impulse control

“Light has an influence on serotonin, and serotonin has an influence on mood and suicidality,” Willeit says. Antidepressants that boost the body’s levels of serotonin have been known to affect impulsivity first, then mood later on. That early effect on impulsivity may explain the increased suicide risk over a short period of time, and the delayed effect on mood may explain the lower risk over a longer time span.

Don’t avoid the sun

People shouldn’t keep out of the sun based on the study’s findings, says Willeit. Instead, doctors should consider adding sunshine to the list of factors that may influence the risk of suicide. “Suicide is complicated and has many risk factors. People always tend to think of it in either biological or social terms, but there is no single cause. It’s a bunch of risk factors that you have.”  

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Lacking new ideas, Apple Watch disappoints health experts

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apple watch watch wearables health wellbeing
CEO Tim Cook was excited about the Apple Watch, but the health tech world expected something revolutionary.
Credit: Getty Images

Technology pundits were quick to predict the demise of most fitness wristbands and smartwatches when the Apple Watch was announced. But health care professionals and fitness junkies were left wanting to see more.

Experts say there is little evidence for now that the device’s fitness capabilities surpass the competition. Others, hoping for groundbreaking health features from a company whose chief executive officer, Tim Cook spoke of how sensors are “set to explode,” were left wondering what’s in store for the product.

Two people familiar with Apple’s plans said the company is planning to unveil richer health features and additional sensors in later versions, and the first iteration won’t even hit the market until early 2015. Apple declined to comment on future health offerings for its watch.

No new technology

The Apple Watch, unveiled last week, is designed to be used alongside the iPhone. Independently of a mobile device, the watch can track activity: It uses an accelerometer to measure your movements as well as heart rate. Runners can also listen to music through a Bluetooth headphone. Many connected wristbands already on the market, such as Jawbone’s UP or the Fitbit, can do all that and more.

Who’s the market?

At this point, it’s unclear whether the watch will appeal to the two consumer groups most in need of health data: Self-professed “quantified selfers” who regularly track their own body metrics such as food intake and sleep, and those battling chronic medical conditions and their care providers. “I’d need to see data that it’s useful before buying the watch or recommending it to colleagues,” said Joshua Landy, a Toronto, Canada-based critical care specialist and the chief medical officer for Figure 1, a health startup.

Key features outsourced

Danielle Levitas, a technology analyst for IDC, described the health and fitness aspects so far as “table stakes. I was expecting there to be some true health care applications that would take it a step further beyond wellness.” Levitas noted that the watch did not track sleep, like Jawbone’s UP wristband. Her primary frustration with the watch was the decision to offload GPS and Wi-Fi to the phone, presumably to keep the price tag at a modest $349, she said.

Tactical move?

Policy experts suggest that Apple may have deliberately avoided mentioning medical use-cases for the watch for now to avoid attracting attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In its current form, the watch would not pose a threat to makers of mobile medical devices used by patients with chronic conditions.

Form over function

There’s hope in the field that Apple’s device will appeal to a wider market. Mike Lee, chief executive officer of MyFitnessPal, said the sensors in the Apple Watch weren’t “revolutionary” but conceded it was better-designed than most wearable devices — that the sleek, slim and wearable design was prioritized over packing the device with features right out of the gate.

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Narcissism and the ugly side of vanity

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model runway sunglasses narcissism vanity beauty body weight
Narcissists can feel like models on a runway all the time. That can leave friends feeling more like their audience than peers. Credit: Getty Images

I have a friend who constantly talks about herself and rarely asks any questions about my life. She is constantly preening, obsessed with her body, brags about her sexual and professional conquests, and posts seductive selfies on social media. Is it just self-confidence, or narcissism?

Lately, the media has been examining narcissism from more angles than an egomaniac gazing at herself in the mirror. Reportedly, narcissists have more sex, are nightmares to divorce, feed on self-promotional platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and are growing in numbers. One study even likened narcissism to a modern-day epidemic because they procreate at statistically higher rates.

“Narcissist” has also become the latest slur many people use to discredit their bosses, former romatic partners, siblings and politicians — virtually anyone who makes their life miserable, as egotists often do.

Yet some of the very same traits commonly associated with narcissism — extreme confidence, concern with appearance, self-absorption, superficiality and attention-seeking — would appear to characterize a fair-sized swath of the general population, especially in big cities where such attributes are encouraged and commonly associated with success.

Superficial egotism and inflated sense of self are widely understood as an over-compensation for deep-seated shame and self-doubt. Most narcissists had either self-absorbed or authoritarian parents who didn’t properly acknowledge, accept or praise their thoughts, feelings and talents. Without this, narcissists never develop an accurate picture of themselves and remain emotionally stunted, focused on preserving their mask that hides the deeply insecure person behind it.

How, then, does one distinguish a tiresomely self-centered person from a pathological narcissist?

Motivation. People fitting either description might aspire to maintain their figures and dress fashionably, a truly confident person will be driven by self-care and personal expression, whereas a true narcissist will aspire to win other people’s love and admiration or as a means to manipulate – for example, to have sex.

Empathy. While some argue that narcissism exists along a continuum, with milder sufferers able to feel genuine compassion, those at the more extreme end suffer don’t value others’ emotions and experiences. When challenged, they often respond with denial and rage, and can be especially vindictive.

Which brings me to your question. While your childhood pal may display some narcissistic traits, whether or not she has a diagnosis is beside the point — you’re her friend, not her psychiatrist or social worker. If you want to keep your connection meaningful, try sharing your feelings about the friendship while expressing your desire that she inquire about your life, lest you presume she doesn’t care.

Narcissist or not, a “friend” who doesn’t take an interest in your wellbeing is not a true friend, and not worth keeping around.

Are you a narcissist?

To diagnose someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, he or she must meet at least five of the following criteria:

  • display an exaggerated sense of self-importance or grandiosity
  • harbor fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance or beauty
  • express excessive concern about their status and sense of specialness
  • require constant admiration
  • possess a sense of entitlement
  • lack empathy and aspire to be envied (while secretly envying others)

 

Kim Schneiderman’s book, “Step Out of Your Story: Writing Exercises to Reframe and Transform Your Life,” is being published in the spring. Email your questions to askkim@metro.us and check out her website, Novel Perspective.

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5 gadgets to protect you from sharks, concussions, mosquitos

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The SharkStopper claims to protect anyone in the water from shark attacks.
Credit: Getty Images

The medical industry is inundated with devices looking after all aspects of your wellbeing, from monitoring your sleep patterns to warding off shark attacks. We round up some of the quirkiest, most helpful tech gizmos that just hit the market.

1. Mosquito-repelling bracelet

Say goodbye to itchy bumps from nasty mosquitoes: That’s the role of Invisaband, a bracelet made from geraniol oil, which promises those bugs will stop biting you. With this accessory, mosquitoes’ ability to sense their next feast (you) is neutralized, and you won’t have to deal with messy and strong-smelling sprays. Available on Indiegogo, packages range from one pack of five Invisibands for $19 to 1,000 bands for $1,600.

2. An app that monitors your glucose

Here’s a way to manage diabetes in the digital age: Use your smartphone to monitor your blood glucose levels. The Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System from iHealth records all of your glucose readings within the app’s logbook, eliminating the need for manual records. It also tracks the quantity of your test strips. The device runs in iOS and Android and costs $29.95 (test strips sold separately).

3. A device for a better night’s sleep

Most of us don’t wake up refreshed because our sleep patterns are out of sync. Slumber tracking device Withings Aura attempts to solve this dilemma by monitoring our sleep through body movement, breathing patterns and heart rate analysis. It requires the combination of an app and bedside device that examine sound, temperature and light levels. Out now, the unit is priced at $299.95.

4. High-tech clip sensor prevents concussions 

Many athletes suffer from head injuries. The Jolt Sensor clip was developed to prevent concussions during games and training by monitoring the wearer’s movements. If there’s an imminent threat of such a head injury — or when it indeed happens — the gadget will vibrate and wirelessly send a message to referees, coaches and medical staff. The device was created by Ben Harvatine, of Missouri, after he suffered from a concussion while wrestling. It is now available on Kickstarter, priced at $100.

5. An ankle strap that wards off sharks

If you’re afraid of sharks, you’ll be thrilled to know you can return to the beach with a wearable gadget that can repel any approaching sea life (according to the device’s creators). The SharkStopper uses an unique acoustic frequency that can repel multiple species of sharks up to 60 feet away. The device’s inventor, Brian Wynne, guarantees that the sound emitted is safe, having undergone tests in seven shark locations around the world. Now listed on Kickstarter, the SharkStopper will cost $275 per unit and go on sale at the end of the year or early 2015.

The post 5 gadgets to protect you from sharks, concussions, mosquitos appeared first on Metro.us.


Exercising leads to more drinking — and we don’t mean water

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Scientists are still working on why we drink more on the days we exercise.
Credit: Getty Images

We’re rewarding ourselves with more than dessert on days we exercise, according to a new study.

On days when people exercise more, typically Thursday through Sunday, researchers found that they also drink more alcohol.

“Monday through Wednesday people batten down the hatches and they cut back on alcohol consumption,” lead author David E. Conroy says. “But once that ‘social weekend’ kicks off on Thursdays, physical activity increases and so does alcohol consumption.”

The study’s 150 participants, ages 18 to 89, tracked their physical activity and drinking habits via smartphone for three-week periods three times throughout the year.

The researchers found that, across all ages and levels of fitness, when people are more active they tend to drink more than on days with less activity. The study did not ask people their reasons for drinking.

“Perhaps people reward themselves for working out by having more to drink, or maybe being physically active leads them to encountering more social situations where alcohol is consumed — we don’t know,” Conroy says.

The professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University says this method gave a more accurate picture of people’s behavior versus typical self-assessments. Instead of having to remember the previous 30 days, participants used the smartphone to keep a day-by-day diary, which makes them less likely to misremember or turn to biases about themselves, he says.

The post Exercising leads to more drinking — and we don’t mean water appeared first on Metro.us.

Top celebrity wedding spots from Cheapflights.com

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Cheapflights.com picks the best places around the world to tie the knot like George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin.

Newlyweds George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin stand on a water taxi on the Grand Canal in Venice.  REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
Newlyweds George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin stand on a water taxi on the Grand Canal in Venice. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

As George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin wed in true Hollywood style in Venice, Italy, this past weekend, the team at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, was at work compiling a list of places where you too can tie the knot like a star. Our Top 10 Celebrity Wedding Destinations walks you down the aisle of some of the most exclusive and glamorous venues chosen by the crème de la crème of Hollywood. And, to keep it real, the list offers some alternatives that make wedding planning in these locales a reality.

Here are five other celeb-approved wedding spots to get you planning:

 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 13:  Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt attend the Global Summit to end Sexual Violence in Conflict at ExCel on June 13, 2014 in London, England.  (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in London.
Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Chateau Miraval, France

Finally! The world has waited years for this wedding and it was just as beautiful as we imagined it would be. Brangelina exchanged vows at Chateau Miraval, a 1,200 acre estate in the village of Correns, France. They have called this place home for a number of years now, making it nearly impossible to book it for your own personal wedding. However, there are many beautiful places in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region of France such as the Chateau Val Joanis where you can wed among vineyards, beautiful gardens and courtyards.

 

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Westminster Abbey, London, England

Most people would agree that Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding was as close to a real life fairy-tale as we’ll see and, boy, it did not disappoint. An estimated two billion viewers (a bigger global audience that the Olympics) had their eyes glued to television screens, and many probably went to bed dreaming of their own fairy-tale wedding. Unfortunately, most people do not have the qualifications to get married at Westminster Abbey, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have your own “royal” wedding. Winchester Cathedral (an hour’s drive from London) offers the same “royal” atmosphere that Westminster Abbey provides. But, if your heart is set on getting married at Westminster Abbey, Prince Harry is still single…

 

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Boone Hall Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina,

Do you dream of a rustic wedding with nature as your only backdrop? Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds sure did, which is why they married at Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. Boone Hall Plantation is one of America’s oldest working plantations and makes for an unforgettable wedding venue. The Cotton Dock is their most popular venue with a rustic building set on the banks of Boone Creek, but be sure to look at all their venue options to find the perfect setting for your perfect day.

 

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Forte di Belvedere, Florence, Italy

Your dreams will come true in the heart of the area that sparked the Renaissance. Start your life together in the enchantingly beautiful Tuscan region of Italy and discover a plethora of romantic backdrops for your special day. Whether you want to get married in a castle, at a vineyard or on an estate, Tuscany will not disappoint (to be honest, no region in Italy will disappoint). Consider the Red Hall of the Palazzo Vecchio for a traditional and romantic Italian wedding or check out a villa, such as the Historic Villa, for a truly intimate and unforgettable time.

 

Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Windsor Guildhall, Berkshire, England

After 12 years together, Sir Elton John and David Furnish tied the knot with a civil partnership ceremony at The Windsor Guildhall. This historic building, which was designed by Sir Thomas Fitz, is filled with charm and is perfect for anyone looking for a wedding steeped in culture. The Guildhall Chamber is available for wedding ceremonies on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and can accommodate up to 100 of your loved ones.

 

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Bees’ stingers hold new hope for cancer cure

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The venom in insect stings and reptile bites was found to kill breast and skin cancer cells in lab testing.
Credit: Getty Images

A promising new lead in the search for a cancer cure has turned up in a place that most people naturally avoid.

A team from the University of Illinois has discovered that bee, snake and scorpion venom contains toxins that can kill cancerous tumors.

“We have safely used venom toxins in tiny nanometer-sized particles to treat breast cancer and melanoma cells in the laboratory,” says research leader Dr. Dipanjan Pan.

The venom is encapsulated in tightly packed nanoparticles to avoid leakage and potentially harmful side effects such as damage to nerve cells or the heart muscle, blood clotting and bleeding beneath the skin.

The potential life-saving effects of these deadly toxins have been investigated before. Ancient civilizations explored their use in the treatment of arthritis and neurological disorders. But modern lab-synthesized versions of the venom’s potent proteins and peptides ensure that there will be no issues with large-scale production.

The substance from bees, melittin, prevents cancer cells from multiplying. Pan explains that “venom from snakes and scorpions will work by inhibiting cancer stem cell-signaling pathways.”

The team, who presented their findings at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, believes that it will take another three to five years until the first human trials can commence.

The post Bees’ stingers hold new hope for cancer cure appeared first on Metro.us.

Support breast cancer awareness and research with these products

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LOFT necklace earrings
LOFT necklace and earrings for BCA

Get these pink — and one blue — items that support breast cancer programs.

LOFT jewelry, $69, $39.50

LOFT partnered with local jewelry design duo HOLST+LEE to create a limited edition set of earrings and necklace, with 70 percent of the purchase price going to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Nov. 15. www.loft.com

Asics GT-1000, $100

Asics’ third pink collection in collaboration with Christina Applegate’s Right Action for Women includes this pink-accented version of its best-selling GT-1000 3 PR sneaker. The company has pledged up to $150,000 based on sales. www.asicsamerica.com

Nike Fast Pace Running Top, $32

This month, JCPenney customers have the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to benefit JCPenney Cares. These contributions will directly fund breast cancer awareness programs, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. www.jcpenney.com

one hope wine gift box

ONEHOPE Wine Pink 365 Gift Box, $49

Half of the profits from each chardonnay box set to fund clinical trials through The Gateway to Cancer Research. www.onehopewine.com

Lucy’s Cookies

The allergy friendly and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies will come in a limited edition package this month. Share a sweet bite to benefit the American Cancer Society, which Lucy’s is supporting with a $50,000 donation. www.drlucys.com

Estee Lauder Companies

Estee Lauder is highlighting survivors and supporters with first-person stories throughout the year through the “Hear our stories. Share yours.” campaign. Each brand under its umbrella will contribute to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. www.BCAcampaign.com

Nine West blue suede pump
Nine West blue suede pump

And something blue: Nine West

For a fifth year, Nine West will raise awareness and funds for breast cancer through in-store and social media campaigns to benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Upload a photo of yourself wearing these blue pumps to Instagram or Twitter with #9WFTBC and tag @NineWest, and the company will make a donation to FTBC, up to $275,000. Order a pair online at www.ninewest.com starting today, or find them in stores beginning Oct. 6. And from Oct. 15-21, with every purchase in store or online of $125 or more, Nine West will donate $25 to FTBC.

The post Support breast cancer awareness and research with these products appeared first on Metro.us.

Dr. Marisa Weiss: Where we stand on breast cancer

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Women in Colorado take part in Race for the Cure last weekend.
Credit: Getty images

As an oncologist and a survivor herself, Dr. Marisa Weiss knows the urgency felt by those diagnosed with breast cancer. Genetic testing has accelerated the pace of innovation. 

“The treatments for breast cancer are really getting very tailored,” she says. “One of the things we learned about breast cancer is that it’s not one disease; there are different types of breast cancer that behave very differently and are treated differently.”

As Breast Cancer Awareness month begins, Weiss, the founder of BreastCancer.org, tells Metro how the field has changed in the last year and what’s on the horizon.

Where do we stand?

“Breast cancer used to be an uncommon disease 100 years ago; it has since become the most common cancer to affect women: 29 percent of all cancers in women start in the breast. We are not making headway in terms of the incidence of breast cancer, but our methods of detection have improved, giving us more precise tools for finding it early, when it’s most treatable.”

What’s new in the field?

“Just over a year ago, Angelina Jolie shared her personal story about having the BRCA1 gene in her family, and so there is the Angelia Effect: About twice the number of women are getting genetic testing now than before. Still, genetic testing is drastically underutilized. In addition, the Supreme Court took the patents off the [BRCA] genes, which allowed many more companies to come into the marketplace to test for BRCA1/2 as well as other genes. They also brought the price down.”

How have treatments changed?

“As our understanding grows about what is producing cancer and how we can most effectively get rid of it, the options are also expanding and designed to be tailored to each individual. So that’s tricky when you’re painting a diagnosis ‘cause there’s no one size fits all, and you can’t just do what your best friend did; it may not apply to you.”

What looks promising?

“There are the different cells that make up one cancer that require different forms of treatment that work in different ways. What’s driving these advancements is trying to better understand the genes and proteins that turn on and turn off breast cancer growth, as well as their ability to behave in certain ways, like invade normal tissue.”

 

Facts & figures

• Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide, with 1.7 million new cases in 2012.
• It accounts for one in every four cancer cases in women globally.
• More than 6.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive today worldwide.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

The post Dr. Marisa Weiss: Where we stand on breast cancer appeared first on Metro.us.

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