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  • 菲律賓國旗

  Alcohol is not good for us. 5 tips to stay safer if you drink

  The holidays and New Year’s Eve are fast approaching, often bringing alcohol-infused gatherings. While alcohol may seem like a social lubricant, research reveals its harms far outweigh the perceived benefits. The World Health Organization reported 2.6 million alcohol-related deaths globally in 2019, including from heart disease, liver damage, cancer, accidents, and suicides. Alcohol consumption also rose during the pandemic, worsening its impact.Dr. Jason Kilmer, a researcher at the University of Washington, conducted a groundbreaking study showing that social interactions during drinking are not due to alcohol but rather mindset and expectations. In an experiment with four groups, those who thought they drank alcohol—even if they didn’t—exhibited the same lively interactions as those who actually consumed alcohol. Meanwhile, people who unknowingly drank alcohol but believed it was alcohol-free showed subdued behavior.Don’t drink on an empty stomachTo minimize alcohol-related risks, Kilmer offers practical advice: alternate alcoholic drinks with water, avoid drinking on an empty stomach, count servings instead of glasses, and stay aware of effervescent drinks like champagne, which absorb more quickly. Importantly, keep your drink attended and have a safe transportation plan. Combining alcohol with substances like cannabis also intensifies effects, creating potential risks.Reducing or refusing alcohol can significantly lower unwanted outcomes. Ultimately, the joy of holiday gatherings comes from the company, not the drink in hand.

  2024-12-22 09:00
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  • 菲律賓國旗

  Scientists warn of ‘unprecedented’ risks of research into mirror life

  Scientists have recently warned that research into "mirror life" may pose unprecedented risks. This research explores a hypothetical form of life whose molecular structures are mirror images of the molecules found in life as we know it on Earth. In other words, these organisms would have "flipped" chemical structures that are fundamentally different from known life forms.The theory of mirror life is based on the assumption that all life on Earth, whether plants, animals, or microorganisms, relies on specific molecular asymmetries, such as the "left-handedness" of amino acids and the "right-handedness" of sugars. Scientists hypothesize that mirror-symmetric life forms could exist in extreme environments, such as other planets or moons. However, conducting such experiments could carry significant ecological and biosecurity risks.Researchers are concerned that if mirror life is somehow created and accidentally released into the environment, it could have unpredictable impacts on existing ecosystems. Due to the entirely different structure of these organisms, conventional biological control methods might not be effective in containing their spread.This type of research has also sparked discussions about ethics and safety. Experts are calling for stricter regulation of experiments involving mirror life and the establishment of dedicated ethics committees to assess potential impacts. They emphasize that scientific progress should not come at the expense of ecological safety and ethics. Instead, such research should adhere to a principle of caution to avoid possible risks.Currently, the international scientific community is closely monitoring this issue and is debating whether more stringent regulations are needed to ensure that research on mirror life is conducted in a safe and controlled manner.

  2024-12-22 09:00
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  • 菲律賓國旗

  Does blowing your nose make cold symptoms worse?

  Every time I catch a cold, I long for the ability to breathe freely again. Like most people, I instinctively reach for a tissue and blow my nose. However, experts warn that forceful nose blowing can worsen cold symptoms and even lead to complications.Dr. Peter Filip, a rhinologist at Rush University Medical Center, explains that excessive nose blowing can create backward pressure, pushing mucus into the sinuses and potentially worsening infections. Similarly, Dr. Kanwar Kelley, an ENT specialist, highlights risks like ear pain caused by fluid traveling through the Eustachian tube or even rare cases of orbital fractures from excessive pressure.People should always choose to blow their nose gently to avoid side effectsForceful nose blowing can also cause nosebleeds and nasal vestibulitis, a bacterial infection near the nose’s entry point, often linked to the use of rough tissues. To avoid these issues, experts recommend gentle nose blowing: close one nostril, blow softly through the other, and use tissues with moisturizing ingredients like aloe or menthol.Alternatives to nose blowing include saline irrigation to clear mucus and nasal decongestants, which can provide quick relief when used sparingly (no more than three days). Warm compresses and steam can also help loosen mucus naturally.Practicing proper techniques and using gentle alternatives can provide relief while protecting the delicate nasal passages.

  2024-12-21 09:00