Chronic insomniacs and hypertension

Some people take a lot of time to fall asleep. These people are insomniacs, and they have a bigger risk of hypertension when they take longer than 14 minutes to get to sleep. This study was developed at West China Hospital and it is the first one to test that hypertension is linked to insomnia.

 

This sleep disorder is the most common one in the general popupation and it was traditionally considered as a nighttime sleep disorder. However, a lot of studies suggest it is a 24-hours hyperarousal state, which doesn't allow people to feel well either during the day or at night.

From taringa.net

From http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150126161759.htm

Written by Nora, Olalla and María - 3rd A (9th grade)



 

Chocolate component reverses memory loss in older people

A research carried out at Columbia University in New York and directed by professor Scott A. Small discovered that a component of chocolate called flavanol reverses memory loss in adults. In this research a group of people was given a drink containing lots of flavanols and by the end of three months they found out that their memory had improved. It’s the first time we know diet can help memory decline. 

Unfortunately, the problem of this study is that people must eat or drink big quantities of chocolate to get a beneficial effect.

From http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/27/chocolate-component-reverses-memory-loss-older-people-claims-study

Written by Alejandra Recimil and Antía Rodríguez (3rd ESO - 9th grade).

Fight against cancer

In the past, we only had a radiation treatment for cancer. This treatment is based on X-rays. It's not very good, speacially for children, because it can hurt other parts of the body.

 

Seventy years ago, Robert Wilson had the idea of using the proton therapy. Now this charged-particle therapy is very famous, because it mainly damages the tumor. It's used in Unites States in fourteen centers and in other countries such as Germany, Italy, China or Japan.

 

Image from symmetrymagazine.org

 

From http://symmetrymagazine.org/article/september-2014/accelerating-the-fight-against-cáncer

 

Written by Antón, Carlos and José (3rd ESO A - 9th grade)

VEGGIES: A RADIATION SHIELD

The vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower produce a compound called DIM in the body. A recent study shows that compound protects healthy cells from radiation. Therefore, DIM offers promise for people with cancer.

From Science  News, 30th October, 2013
Written by Emma Cepeda, Olimpia Rivero and Nerea Segade

American Football: a dangerous sport

American football can cause damage to the head. Retired players have been tested and most of them had some brain tumor. This is because of the hits they receive in the head while they are playing. Players give other players lots of kicks and they fall down with their head. If they don't wear helmets, they could have serious injuries on their brains.

From Sciencedaily.
Written by Rubén Ferreira and Sebastián Noreña