Aging, Telomeres and Torpor
Wed, 02/8/12 – 2:08 | No Comment

Why aren't they hibernating?
What do aging, telomeres and torpor have in common? It may be that torpor slows the process of aging.
Aging is directly linked to telomere lengths. Telomeres, the caps on the end of …

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How Viruses Reproduce
Wednesday, 6 May, 2009 – 4:00 | No Comment
How Viruses Reproduce

Viruses can not replicate outside of a living cell. Said another way, a virus needs to be in a living host in order to reproduce because it lacks the necessary cellular structures to do so. …

What’s the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain?
Wednesday, 29 Apr, 2009 – 4:28 | No Comment
What’s the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain?

When you think of a sprain, think of an ankle,  the most common sprain people get (25,000 ankle sprains/day according to NIH). Ankles have lots of ligaments that attach bone to bone and it’s these …

Who Knew? Urinary Bladder Capacity
Thursday, 5 Feb, 2009 – 6:09 | 4 Comments
Who Knew? Urinary Bladder Capacity

The bladder holds approximately 250-350 cc of urine and when it’s completely full, about 600 ccs (17 ounces or so). In extreme circumstances, it can hold more but this would generally cause much pain and discomfort.
When …

Who Knew? Why We Become Susceptible to Pneumonia When We Age
Wednesday, 26 Nov, 2008 – 6:01 | No Comment
Who Knew? Why We Become Susceptible to Pneumonia When We Age

As we age, our respiratory tract becomes less elastic and more rigid including the tiny air sacs where oxygen exchange occurs. In addition, our chest wall becomes a little more rigid, not expanding in the …

Who Knew? The Role of Vitamin D
Friday, 24 Oct, 2008 – 8:00 | No Comment
Who Knew? The Role of Vitamin D

Vitamin D (which acts like a hormone in our bodies) and its precursors play many roles in the body. It helps:

the body absorb calcium
play a role in bone growth
prevent rickets in children and osteomalacia (adult form …

Who Knew? Smelly Feet and Damp Hands
Wednesday, 22 Oct, 2008 – 9:00 | No Comment
Who Knew? Smelly Feet and Damp Hands

The average person has between 2 and 4 million sweat glands. Of these glands, there are approximataely 3,000 sweat glands per square inch on the feet and hands – more than under the arms. Men …

Who Knew? Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency
Monday, 20 Oct, 2008 – 9:00 | One Comment
Who Knew? Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency

Calcium and Vitamin D go hand-in-hand. Vitamin D is important because without it, the body couldn’t absorb calcium. During periods of rapid bone growth (during infancy, childhood and teenage years), the body requires increased amounts …

Who Knew? Testosterone, Alcohol Intake and Male Feminization
Friday, 17 Oct, 2008 – 8:15 | 2 Comments
Who Knew? Testosterone, Alcohol Intake and Male Feminization

Studies have shown that an intake of 220 grams of alcohol daily for a period of 4 weeks, began to reduce the level of testosterone produced after only 5 days. This effect continued throughout the duration …

Who Knew? Smells
Wednesday, 15 Oct, 2008 – 8:00 | No Comment
Who Knew? Smells

Have you noticed that after a while of being exposed to an obnoxious smell, you stop smelling how bad it is? The brain quickly adapts to the bad smell – in fact in as little …

Who Knew? The Purpose of the Small Intestine
Monday, 13 Oct, 2008 – 7:00 | No Comment
Who Knew? The Purpose of the Small Intestine

The small intestine digests and absorbs the nutrients that are carried to it from the stomach. It averages about 21 feet and is divided into three sections: the duodenum, (about 10 inches), the jejunum (about …