Is the War on Marijuana Politics Rather Than Science?
President Trump’s attorney general, Jeff Sessions, wants to crack down on states that have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. This is a bone-headed, regressive move that I predict will backfire. We have an opioid addiction crisis killing thousands of people in this country every year. That crisis is fueled by a pharmaceutical industry […]
Light Pollution Is Affecting Your Health!
The comprehensive World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness has appeared in Science Advances. Written by a group of distinguished scientists lead by Italian Fabio Falchi, it is a noteworthy accomplishment. The first atlas appeared in 2001, but was based on a less precise satellite measurement system. This latest atlas provides far more clarity. Light […]
Trees, the Environment and the Simple Art of Breathing
I live on the edge of suburbia. When I came here, it was literally where the suburbs transformed to farms and forest. Our home is, or more correctly was, located in a transition zone of small acreage. In fact, the zoning is classified as ‘Parkland Living’ – an area that rejoiced in native flora and […]
You Don’t Die From a Snakebite… You Die From a Lack of Treatment!
Think Australia. Think animal. Most of us would immediately visualize a kangaroo, wallaby, koala are even those cute living bulldozers called wombats. After all, the continent is famous for it’s unique marsupials. But Australia is just as well known for it’s significant numbers of dangerous animals including the world’s most venomous snakes! In fact, 21 […]
Do We Really Need to Clear out Our Skin Pores?
In common with many teenagers, I faced the anguish and insecurities of acne and blackheads. I rubbed and scrubbed, scraped and squeezed, all to no avail. In fact, I made it worse and can still see some of the scarring that resulted from my futile attempts to have blemish-free skin. Then there was the expense… […]
Robotic Surgeon Offers Hope for Prostate Cancer Patients
Are you willing to go under the knife with a robotic surgeon? A machine, a scalpel and your body? It’s happening and it’s generating amazing results. A robotic surgeon in a public New South Wales (Australia) hospital has been successfully operating on prostate cancer patients. “Big deal” i hear you say, “doctors have been doing […]
Listen Up! Your Waist is Talking to You
“My waist has grown so big I can barely see my toes when I look down.” I hear this so often from friends, family, and even strangers. But just because everyone’s waists are expanding doesn’t mean yours should, too. True, several factors may play a part – genetics, hormones, aging and lifestyle. Once you hit […]
That Unchanneled Anger Isn’t Helping Your Longevity!
Has your anger ever caused pain to a loved one? Well, it turns out it may not be just them you’re hurting. You’re hurting yourself, too. Want to live longer? Put that anger to good use If your friends or family members are always telling you to calm down, it’s because you should. Getting angry […]
Fluoridated Water: The Facts, the Urban Myths and the Fiction!
There are few causes that can equal the controversy surrounding fluoridated water! For many years now, most of us have heard and read about how fluoridated water is bad for our health. There are claims that fluoridated water causes cancer. That it can be linked to Down Syndrome. Even that it causes tooth decay! And, of […]
My Sister Is a Drunk: The Gutwrenching Story of a Sister’s Burden
Sometimes we and others never realize just how destructive drinking habits can be. One can never pinpoint that transition from social drinking to alcohol dependency. On one side of the spectrum, there are people who simply don’t care if a family member drinks way too much. In some cultures and areas it almost ‘comes with […]