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Category Archives: Mind Building
Hills
Since I live in a very hilly neighborhood, my morning runs are basically hill training. There are many routes I can run, but the main question for choosing a route is when to do the uphill and downhill portions.
If I do the uphill first, it’s harder starting out, but then the second half is a breeze, coasting downhill all the way home – often towards a beautiful sunrise.
If I do the downhill first, the first half hour is so nice and flowing, a lovely way to run on autopilot, but then I turn the corner and have a sweaty uphill climb to return home. During the summer months in Vegas, it’s typically 80-85º F (27-29º C) around 5am.
After many years of running these hills – I’ve lived in this neighborhood since 2007 – I realized that it doesn’t really matter when I do the hills. I could do them first or second, but either way I’ll still do them.
What matters is that I commit to the hills. If I don’t commit to the hills, I won’t run.
If I do the uphill first, this commitment needs to happen when I first start running. That’s a good approach for when I’m feel energetic and ready to face that hill early. I did that this morning, and it felt great to conquer the biggest nearby hill during the first half of my run, note the beautiful sunrise, and float downhill afterwards.
But when I’m not feeling as motivated, and I just want to start out a bit easier to build some momentum, I can do the downhill first. When I face the uphill portion 30 minutes later, I still have to do it to get home. So my next choice is this: I can run uphill while resisting the experience. I can run uphill while surrendering to the experience. Or I can run uphill while embracing the experience.
That’s the nature of an action commitment. Doing or not doing is already decided. You’re going to do it. You’ve committed your body to the task. You will take the action. That part is a done deal. Once I put on my running shoes, tackling some kind of hill is inevitable.
But there’s a second layer of commitment. Have you committed your mind too? If you grudgingly complete a task, I’d say you haven’t really committed your mind, so you’ll probably be fighting yourself internally – all the way up that hill.
Why tackle a hill each day? I could say there are some fitness benefits to running those hills, but I also like what these runs teach me about framing. The challenge reminds me to choose my mental commitment, not just my physical commitment. And this benefits me in other areas of life too.
There are plenty of unpleasant tasks in life, but if we’re going to physically do them anyway – sooner or later – doesn’t it make sense to mentally and emotionally commit to those tasks as well?
You could look upon your tasks with the attitude “yuck!” Or you could look upon them and say “yum!” Finding the yucky framing often happens by default, but it’s not the only framing you have available. Surely you could find a yummy framing if you look for it, and you only need one.
Where do you procrastinate on a task, but you still end up doing it anyway eventually? Maybe it’s doing your taxes. Maybe it’s dealing with a conflict at work. Maybe it’s handling a thorny relationship issue. What’s your hill of inevitability?
You could climb that hill now, or you could postpone and climb it later, but you will climb it eventually. You know it’s just a matter of time. And perhaps it doesn’t even matter that much when you finally do it – just that you eventually get it handled.
You can look up at that hill and hate it. You could look up at the hill and tolerate it. Or you could look up at the hill with some form of gratitude and appreciation. To do the latter takes practice – it’s a different level of commitment.
If you’re going to tackle that hill anyway eventually, why not get your mind right first, and truly commit to the experience, not just with action but also with attitude?
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Health24.com | FDA approves ‘prescription video game’ for kids with ADHD
- A video game for kids with ADHD is the first game-based treatment for any condition approved by the FDA
- The device is a non-drug way to alleviate ADHD symptoms in children
- The game will probably appeal to parents and children alike, but it is still uncertain how effective it really is
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The first video game to help treat kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
EndeavorRx is a prescription-only game designed to help improve attention in eight- to 12-year-olds with ADHD who have confirmed attention problems.
It is the first game-based treatment authorised by the FDA for any condition.
The game from Akili Interactive is meant to be part of a treatment plan that may include healthcare provider-directed therapy, medication and/or education, according to the FDA.
No serious side effects
“The EndeavorRx device offers a non-drug option for improving symptoms associated with ADHD in children and is an important example of the growing field of digital therapy and digital therapeutics,” Dr Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in an agency news release.
Approval of the device follows several studies that included a total of 600 children. The studies evaluated whether the game led to improvements in areas such as attention and school performance.
No serious side effects were reported. The most common ones were frustration, headache, dizziness, emotional reaction, and aggression, according to the FDA.
Dr Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioural paediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, said the device seems promising and is likely to appeal to parents of kids with ADHD. But the jury is still out on its effectiveness, he added.
Diagnosis by a professional
“Presently, many parents of children with ADHD have difficulty accessing appropriate counselling services and are reluctant to consider treatment with medications that have proven effectiveness,” Adesman said. “To the extent that this product is only available by prescription, it is unclear to what extent insurance companies will cover the cost of this treatment approach.”
He said the video game is likely to be most effective in conjunction with other treatments.
ADHD is a common disorder that begins in childhood and affects about four million six- to 11-year-olds in the United States.
ADHD should be diagnosed by a professional based on symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Image credit: iStock
Does DNA in the water tell us how many fish are there?
River water, lake water, and seawater contain DNA belonging to organisms such as animals and plants. Ecologists have begun to actively analyze such DNA molecules, called environmental DNA, to assess the distribution of macro-organisms. Challenges yet remain, however, in quantitative applications of environmental DNA.
In a research article published online in Molecular Ecology, researchers from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Shimane University, Kyoto University, Hokkaido University, and Kobe University, have reported a new method for estimating population abundance of fish species (or more generally, a target aquatic species), by means of measuring concentration of environmental DNA in the water. Their results suggest the potential of the proposed approach for quantitative, non-invasive monitoring of aquatic ecosystems.
DNA molecules are released from organisms present, are transported by the flow of water, and are eventually degraded. In a natural environment, these processes can operate in a complex way.
“This complicates and limits the traditional approach of population quantification based on environmental DNA where the presence of a definite relationship between the concentration of environmental DNA and population abundance has been critical, “explained Keiichi Fukaya, research associate at the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the lead author of the paper.
“We thought that these fundamental processes of environmental DNA, the shedding, transport, and degradation, should be accounted for, when we estimate population abundance through environmental DNA,” he said.
The authors implemented this idea by adopting a numerical hydrodynamic model that explicitly accounts for the processes to simulate the distribution of environmental DNA concentrations within an aquatic area. “By solving this model in the ‘inverse direction’, we can estimate fish population abundance based on the observed distribution of environmental DNA concentrations,” Fukaya explained.
A case study conducted in Maizuru Bay, Japan, confirmed that the estimate of the population abundance of Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus), obtained by the proposed method, was comparable to that of a quantitative echo sounder method.
“The idea and framework presented in this study forms a cornerstone towards quantitative monitoring of ecosystems through environmental DNA analysis. By combining field observation, techniques of molecular biology, and mathematical/statistical modeling, the scope of the environmental DNA analysis will be broadened beyond the determination of the presence or absence of target species,” explained Professor Michio Kondoh from Tohoku University, who led the 5.5-year environmental DNA research project, funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST).
This work was supported by JST CREST Grant Number JPMJCR13A2, Japan.
Towards lasers powerful enough to investigate a new kind of physics
In a paper that made the cover of the journal Applied Physics Letters, an international team of researchers has demonstrated an innovative technique for increasing the intensity of lasers. This approach, based on the compression of light pulses, would make it possible to reach a threshold intensity for a new type of physics that has never been explored before: quantum electrodynamics phenomena.
Researchers Jean-Claude Kieffer of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), E. A. Khazanov of the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and in France Gérard Mourou, Professor Emeritus of the Ecole Polytechnique, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018, have chosen another direction to achieve a power of around 10^23 Watts (W). Rather than increasing the energy of the laser, they decrease the pulse duration to only a few femtoseconds. This would keep the system within a reasonable size and keep operating costs down.
To generate the shortest possible pulse, the researchers are exploiting the effects of non-linear optics. “A laser beam is sent through an extremely thin and perfectly homogeneous glass plate. The particular behaviour of the wave inside this solid medium broadens the spectrum and allows for a shorter pulse when it is recompressed at the exit of the plate,” explains Jean-Claude Kieffer, co-author of the study published online on 15 June 2020 in the journal Applied Physics Letters.
Installed in the Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) facility at INRS, the researchers limited themselves to an energy of 3 joules for a 10-femtosecond pulse, or 300 terawatts (1012W). They plan to repeat the experiment with an energy of 13 joules over 5 femtoseconds, or an intensity of 3 petawatts (1015 W). “We would be among the first in the world to achieve this level of power with a laser that has such short pulses,” says Professor Kieffer.
“If we achieve very short pulses, we enter relativistic problem classes. This is an extremely interesting direction that has the potential to take the scientific community to new horizons,” says Professor Kieffer. “It was a very nice piece of work solidifying the paramount potential of this technique,” concludes Gérard Mourou.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Institut national de la recherche scientifique – INRS. Original written by Audrey-Maude Vézina. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Health24.com | Asthma, allergies, Covid-19 and your child: here’s what you need to know
Research on Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, is ongoing, and while information is still limited, we do know that it is not infecting children as frequently or severely as adults.
Given that millions of South Africans live with long-term conditions including allergic disorders such as eczema, hay fever and asthma (one of the most common chronic diseases affecting children), parents and caregivers are being extra cautious, especially considering that asthma, like Covid-19, is a lung disease.
Professor Claudia Gray, paediatrician and allergist at Kids Allergy – Paediatric and Allergy Centre answered some pertinent questions on the topic in a live interview hosted by the Allergy Foundation South Africa (AFSA). Here’s what families of children with asthma and allergies should know.
Does asthma increase the chances of Covid-19 complications?
Although there are certain risk factors that put one at greater risk of developing Covid-19 complications, such as being over 65, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic heart disease, people are concerned about whether asthma counts as one of those chronic lung diseases which might increase their predisposition to severe Covid-19.
The answer is that it could “possibly” put you at risk, said Gray, but only if you have severe, uncontrolled asthma, or asthma with other comorbidities such as damaged lungs, high blood pressure or diabetes, for example.
“However, the vast majority of our asthmatics, both in adulthood and childhood are mild to moderate and can be controlled. And the reality is that mild to moderate asthmatics who are well-controlled are not at much greater risk of Covid-19 complications,” Gray explained, adding:
“So we have this word ‘control’ which is central to all of this. It means compliance; it means we can do something about this. In terms of keeping your asthma under control, this has several facets to it. Of course, first of all, it means going for your regular allergy and asthma follow-up visits.
“These could be face-to-face consultations, and taking all the necessary precautions such as universal mask-wearing, hand sanitisation, and physical distancing.”
Gray further advised: “Secondly, please stay on your asthma and allergy medication. The reality is that every single medicine that we use – the controller pumps (even if they contain steroids), antihistamines, and nasal sprays are all safe to continue using during this Covid-19 pandemic.”
How does allergic rhinitis interact with Covid-19?
Hay fever, medically known as allergic rhinitis, is an environmental allergy caused by pollen, and affects the mucous membranes of the eyes and sinuses. It can lead to nasal congestion, sneezing, red, itchy eyes and other symptoms.
You’re not more likely to get Covid-19, but you have to keep your nose in tip-top shape, explained Gray, but added that it could have two indirect effects on Covid-19:
“Firstly, if you’re sneezing and your nose is itchy and runny, you will find it very difficult not to touch your face, and this is one of the prevention strategies for Covid-19, so this is a really good reason to try and have your nose under control.
“Secondly, symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as a runny nose, a bit of a post nasal drip or a sneeze could, of course, mimic Covid-19 symptoms, so equally as important then, is to start pre-treating your allergic rhinitis even before your regular season.”
When your allergies are well-managed and under control, it will prevent the confusion of allergy symptoms with Covid-19, Gray explained.
“So, allergic rhinitis is not a big risk factor, but it can complicate things indirectly. Good control, therefore, is our key message,” she added.
At what age should a child start wearing a face mask?
According to Gray, the mandatory wearing of face masks for children under the age of two is completely unrealistic. Gray further commented that the new guidelines for learning centres suggest that children five years and older must wear a face mask.
What kind of face mask is best for a child with asthma?
“If face masks are worn in everyday life with quiet speaking, just sitting and listening in the classroom, it will not impair anybody’s breathing, including the asthmatic patient,” said Gray.
“We suggest a three-ply cloth mask for the public, and ideally for an asthmatic a three-ply cotton face mask so that it’s quite breathable.
“In terms of the medical masks, we don’t suggest these for the public. The N95 masks are really tight-fitting and, for the average asthmatic, it might be an irritant. The bottom line is that asthmatics do need to wear masks wherever possible, and they need to find one that is comfortable for them,” said Gray.
Should I send my 10-year-old son who has chronic asthma and allergies to school?
It all really depends on how severe their asthma is, whether it is well-controlled, and whether they have any other comorbidities, explained Gray.
“If it’s a child with asthma and allergic rhinitis, but it’s controlled and they’re on medication – and they haven’t had attacks with a very tight chest or needing attention in the last month or two – I would say it is safe to send that child to school.
“What parents do need to know is that asthma can be triggered by many viruses. The SARS-CoV-2 has rarely been borne out to be a virus that specifically causes wheezy episodes, so that’s not such a big risk factor.”
However, Gray went on to comment that the other viruses – cold viruses, flu viruses, the RSV virus, etc. – are all going to make their appearance this winter, just much later than usual because of lockdown. This means that children will be prone to getting any of these viruses and that we should bear in mind that this is completely normal for our winter season.
“Kids are not at great risk of Covid-19 complications, especially younger kids under the age of 12. They behave slightly differently to adults. But, they can be exposed to all the other viruses that normally cause wheezing and asthmatic exacerbation,” Gray said.
Reach for the asthma pump, if needed, but not a nebuliser – especially during the pandemic
Nebulisers are not recommended, as they can increase the risk to those around you. Instead, an asthma pump with a spacer is recommended as it is safer and just as effective, if not more effective, than a nebuliser.
Gray explains: “When children or adults are having moderate to severe asthma attacks, they may need a quick reliever to help them open up their chest. This is very different from their long-term controller pump or medication which should be taken every day.
“So if your chest is very tight and you need immediate relief, you need to be given what we call a ‘beta-2 agonist’, and this comes in two forms: It can be done in droplet form through a nebuliser, or it can be done with an asthma pump with a quick-acting agent, and preferably through a spacer device which makes the coordination much easier, especially for young children.”
However, if, for example, a young child is experiencing a viral wheeze or an asthma attack and they’re sitting in a hospital ward and carrying Covid-19, but it is unknown (either because they’re asymptomatic or they haven’t received their test results yet), then using a nebuliser may actually spread the infected droplets into the environment, allowing other people to inhale them and become infected, explained Gray.
“That’s why we suggest, especially in the hospital clinic settings, to try to reduce the number of nebulisers used. A spacer with a pump is actually just as effective, or even more effective in those children not requiring oxygen. I don’t believe home nebulisers should be used at all.”
Most children can be very effectively “rescued-treated” with a spacer, Gray said, and these deliver medication to the airways more effectively than a pump on its own.
Health24.com | Bacteria differ from your cellphones to your shoes
- There are countless different bacteria that live in our environment
- American researchers gathered bacteria form the shoes and cellphones of thousands of people across the USA
- A lot of the bacteria on shoes and phones of participants belong to groups called ‘microbial dark matter’
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Fears of the coronavirus have put germs on nearly everyone’s radar. But a new study points out just how little is known about the microbes that inhabit your environment.
You likely have thousands of different varieties of bacteria on your shoes and cellphone, including groups hardly ever studied by scientists, said researcher David Coil, of the University of California, Davis Genome Center, and colleagues.
“This [study] highlights how much we have to learn about the microbial world around us,” Coil said in a university news release.
The researchers analysed the DNA of bacteria gathered from the cellphones and shoes of nearly 3 500 people who attended sporting events across the United States.
No obvious regional trends
A consistent finding was that the shoes and phones of the same person had distinct communities of bacteria. Cellphone bacteria reflected those found on the person, while shoes had bacteria characteristic of soil. This matched previous results.
Populations of bacteria on shoes were more diverse than those on phones, according to the study.
Although samples were collected nationwide, the researchers didn’t find any obvious regional trends. In some cases, there were significant differences between samples collected at different sporting events in the same city. In other cases, samples from distant cities were quite similar.
The researchers were surprised to find that a substantial proportion of bacteria on shoes and phones came from groups called “microbial dark matter”. These bacteria are difficult to grow and study in a laboratory, so they have been compared to invisible “dark matter” believed to comprise much of the universe.
Dark matter groups of bacteria have only been discovered as scientists used genetic sequencing to search for microbes in different locations. Although many dark bacteria groups are found in remote or extreme environments – such as boiling acid springs and nutrient-poor underground aquifers – some have been discovered in more common habitats, such as soil.
“Perhaps we were naive, but we did not expect to see such a high relative abundance of bacteria from these microbial dark matter groups on these samples,” said study co-author Jonathan Eisen, of the UC Davis Genome Center.
The findings were published on 9 June in the journal PeerJ.
Image credit: iStock
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