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November 24, 2019

Alert 125: Well-Being News Review

Here is a review of recent Daily News highlights on important research about drug-free ways you can improve and safeguard your well being. These are some of the news highlights from the past two weeks… 
 

Lower your risk of depression with 35 minutes of daily exercise
“35 minutes a day of physical activity may protect against new episodes […] In a paper published in the journal Depression and Anxiety, the team reported that individuals who engaged in at least several hours of exercise each week were less likely to be diagnosed with a new episode of depression…”

Any amount of running may lower risk of early death
“Any amount of running is linked to a significantly lower risk of death from any cause, finds a pooled analysis of the available evidence, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. If more people took up running — and they wouldn’t have to run far or fast — there would likely be substantial improvements in population health and longevity, conclude the researchers.” 

Alarming: Screen-time may harm brain development of children
“This study found an association between increased screen-based media use, compared with the AAP guidelines, and lower microstructural integrity of brain white matter tracts supporting language and emergent literacy skills in prekindergarten children.”

A sleepless night can increase anxiety by up to 30% next day
“The study, published in Nature, found that not sleeping enough can lead to changes in the brain that are linked to higher levels of anxiety.”

Research is rapidly illuminating the critical role of sleep in mental health, from your mental states the following day to possibly preventing long-term major neurological diseases. Just a few weeks ago scientists reported that during deep sleep the brain sweeps out toxins that accumulate during the day, which may be essential for preventing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. ~ Ian

Study shows impact of technology on relationships
“It’s no surprise that technology can have a negative impact on relationships. But David Schramm, Utah State University assistant professor and Extension family life specialist, is particularly interested in how technology interferes with two of the most important spaces for interaction and connection – in the bed and at the table.” 

Tobacco may increase risk of depression and schizophrenia
“A team of researchers led by scientists from the University of Bristol in the UK has added weight to growing evidence that smoking can have a negative effect on mental health.”

Alarming: Review of studies on fetal exposure to antidepressants
“When compared with an untreated depressed group, antidepressant exposure was associated with adverse outcomes at birth.” 

Advice from happiness researchers on best happiness strategies
“The world’s top published happiness researchers were asked to rank the most effective and feasible strategies to happiness. Here’s the list, though most of the results aren’t shocking.”

Children locked away, terrified, in schools across Illinois
“In Illinois, it’s legal for school employees to seclude students in a separate space — to put them in “isolated timeout” — if the students pose a safety threat to themselves or others. Yet every school day, workers isolate children for reasons that violate the law.” 

Two studies were published last week demonstrating that levels of Prozac found in natural waterways from human waste are sufficient to impair the behavior of fish. 

Prozac in aquatic ecosystems disrupt behaviors of zebrafish 
“Fluoxetine exposure altered the swimming behavior of larvae, as shown by the reduction of the distance traveled by treated larvae in response to an external stimulus.”

Antidepressants polluting the water can change fish behaviour
“Psychoactive pollutants such as antidepressants, are increasingly detected in the environment and have long been shown to disrupt the behaviour of non-target species.”

Keep up with news like this on Daily Breaking News.