'Princess Leia' brainwaves help sleeping brain store memories

Every night while you sleep, electrical waves of brain activity circle around each side of your brain, tracing a pattern that, were it on the surface of your head, might look like the twin hair buns of Star Wars' Princess Leia. The scientists who discovered these circular "Princess Leia" oscillations think the waves are responsible each night for forming associations between different aspects of a day's memories.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161115145823.htm

Study explores how immune system functions during sleep

Researchers have found new insights into sleep’s importance to overall health: it may give the immune system a chance to regroup at a time when the relative risk of infection is low. As the foundation of the human body’s immune system, large quantities of T cells—a type of white blood cell—are present in the bloodstream and are ready to attack viruses and other pathogens that invade the body.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161115132547.htm

Buying experiences makes you more grateful, generous

On Thanksgiving, many of us take a moment to reflect on what we’re grateful for -- and we get notable rewards for doing so. Feeling gratitude leads to important benefits, like increased happiness and social cohesion, better health outcomes, and even improved sleep quality.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161115085507.htm

New cases of diabetes have risen by a THIRD in just 10 years

Figures released by Diabetes UK also show that 65 people die each day a result of complications resulting from the condition - which can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3933862/It-s-fastest-growing-epidemic-lifetime-New-cases-diabetes-risen-just-10-years.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Fight Chronic Pain With These 5 Simple Yoga Poses

Yoga's restorative poses and breathing techniques offer relief by decreasing cortisol, which helps reduce stress. Learn 5 common yoga poses that can help you.

Source: http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2016/yoga-chronic-pain-relief.html

Skipping breakfast and not enough sleep can make children overweight

Mothers smoking in pregnancy, children skipping breakfast and not having a regular bedtime or sufficient sleep all appear to be important factors in predicting whether a child will become overweight or obese, report investigators.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161111132905.htm

Increased smartphone screen-time associated with lower sleep quality

Exposure to smartphone screens is associated with lower sleep quality, according to a study that used a smartphone app to record the daily screen-time of over 650 adults.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161110155020.htm