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New Approach Targets Social Skills to Help Schizophrenia Patients Heal

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A new study from Case Western Reserve University suggests a major shift in schizophrenia treatment: One that focuses on helping patients better interpret social cues. “We’ve been treating schizophrenia with a one-size-fits-all approach for decades,” Jessica Wojtalik, an assistant professor at the Cleveland university’s school of applied social sciences, said in a news release. “Now we have a specific target that could help young patients get their lives back on track much faster.” The findings — published recently in the journal Psychiatry Research — identify a key brain function known as social inference skills as a potential new focus for early treatment. It’s a person’s ability to “read between the lines” in social situations. Schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that affects how people think, feel and behave, often begins during the teenage years when the brain is still developing, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.  This timing can have lifelong effects on relationships, learning and emotional control. The new study found that improving patients’ ability to interpret tone, body language and sarcasm — skills essential for navigating everyday interactions — could help them function better in everyday life. “Think of social inference as your brain’s social detective work,” lead author Anju Kotwani, a doctoral student in applied social sciences at Case Western, said in a news release. “It’s how you figure out what…  read on >  read on >

Don’t Toss Those Veggie Scraps — They Might Be Healthier Than You Think

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What was once tossed into compost bins could soon help grow stronger crops and even support human health, new research suggests. A series of recent studies published in American Chemical Society (ACS) journals reveal how scientists are transforming food waste — from sugar beets to coconut fibers — into valuable materials for farming and nutrition. One study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that sugar beet pulp — a byproduct that makes up about 80% of the beet’s original weight — could serve as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides. Researchers converted the pulp’s pectin-rich fibers into carbohydrates that helped wheat resist powdery mildew, a common disease. They said this natural method could reduce the need for synthetic sprays. In another study, scientists discovered that millipede-composted coconut fibers can replace peat moss, a material often used to start seedlings but harvested from sensitive ecosystems. The new “millicompost,” described in the journal ACS Omega, performed just as well as peat in growing bell pepper seedlings. Researchers said it could help make seed production more sustainable by cutting the need for peat, which plays a key role in preserving groundwater. A separate review, also in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, highlighted that radish leaves (which are often thrown out) may be more nutritious than the roots themselves. Rich in fiber, antioxidants…  read on >  read on >

Don’t Toss Those Veggie Scraps — They Might Be Healthier Than You Think

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What was once tossed into compost bins could soon help grow stronger crops and even support human health, new research suggests. A series of recent studies published in American Chemical Society (ACS) journals reveal how scientists are transforming food waste — from sugar beets to coconut fibers — into valuable materials for farming and nutrition. One study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that sugar beet pulp — a byproduct that makes up about 80% of the beet’s original weight — could serve as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides. Researchers converted the pulp’s pectin-rich fibers into carbohydrates that helped wheat resist powdery mildew, a common disease. They said this natural method could reduce the need for synthetic sprays. In another study, scientists discovered that millipede-composted coconut fibers can replace peat moss, a material often used to start seedlings but harvested from sensitive ecosystems. The new “millicompost,” described in the journal ACS Omega, performed just as well as peat in growing bell pepper seedlings. Researchers said it could help make seed production more sustainable by cutting the need for peat, which plays a key role in preserving groundwater. A separate review, also in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, highlighted that radish leaves (which are often thrown out) may be more nutritious than the roots themselves. Rich in fiber, antioxidants…  read on >  read on >

Quitting Smoking Nearly Doubles Cancer Patients’ Short-Term Survival Odds, Experts Say

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Experts argue it’s never too late to quit smoking, and a new study says that applies to people with late-stage cancer as well. Patients with advanced cancer gained nearly a full year of additional life if they quit smoking, compared to those who kept lighting up, researchers reported Oct 9 in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. “It is never too late, and no one is ever ‘too sick’ to quit smoking,” said senior researcher Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, director of the smoking cessation program in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis. “Individuals with cancer who stop smoking after their diagnosis live significantly longer than those who continue smoking, even when their cancer is at an advanced stage,” Chen continued in a news release. For the study, researchers followed more than 13,000 cancer patients treated at the Siteman Cancer Center between June and December 2018, tracking whether they quit smoking following their diagnosis.  Of those patients, 13% said they were currently smoking, researchers found. Only about 1 in 5 of those smokers quit within six months after their first visit for cancer treatment, according to the study. Those who kept smoking had a nearly doubled risk of dying within two years, compared to those who quit smoking as part of their cancer care, results showed.…  read on >  read on >

Quitting Smoking Nearly Doubles Cancer Patients’ Short-Term Survival Odds, Experts Say

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Experts argue it’s never too late to quit smoking, and a new study says that applies to people with late-stage cancer as well. Patients with advanced cancer gained nearly a full year of additional life if they quit smoking, compared to those who kept lighting up, researchers reported Oct 9 in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. “It is never too late, and no one is ever ‘too sick’ to quit smoking,” said senior researcher Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, director of the smoking cessation program in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis. “Individuals with cancer who stop smoking after their diagnosis live significantly longer than those who continue smoking, even when their cancer is at an advanced stage,” Chen continued in a news release. For the study, researchers followed more than 13,000 cancer patients treated at the Siteman Cancer Center between June and December 2018, tracking whether they quit smoking following their diagnosis.  Of those patients, 13% said they were currently smoking, researchers found. Only about 1 in 5 of those smokers quit within six months after their first visit for cancer treatment, according to the study. Those who kept smoking had a nearly doubled risk of dying within two years, compared to those who quit smoking as part of their cancer care, results showed.…  read on >  read on >

Inspirational Videos Rival Meditation For Stress Relief, Study Says

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YouTube or TikTok might offer a solid alternative to meditation when it comes to stress relief. People’s stress dropped about as much from watching a short inspirational video as it did through guided meditation, researchers reported in the journal Psychology of Popular Media. “What we found is that even a few minutes of watching content that makes people feel hopeful can put a dent in stress,” said lead researcher Robin Nabi, a professor of communication at the University of California-Santa Barbara.  “It’s a short, simple and even enjoyable break — and it can make a meaningful difference in helping people feel more optimistic and able to handle what’s in front of them,” Nabi added in a news release. Activities like meditation, deep breathing and exercise are often recommended for stress management, but many folks can’t fit them into their day, she said. “Though there are many effective ways to deal with stress, people often feel too busy or overwhelmed to enact these strategies,” Nabi said. Media is rarely discussed as a means of dealing with stress, even though movies, TV and short online videos are all considered enjoyable pastimes, she  said. “So many of us are told that when we’re stressed, we should avoid media. And, in fact, we as a society tend to look at media use through a very negative lens,” Nabi said.…  read on >  read on >

Inspirational Videos Rival Meditation For Stress Relief, Study Says

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YouTube or TikTok might offer a solid alternative to meditation when it comes to stress relief. People’s stress dropped about as much from watching a short inspirational video as it did through guided meditation, researchers reported in the journal Psychology of Popular Media. “What we found is that even a few minutes of watching content that makes people feel hopeful can put a dent in stress,” said lead researcher Robin Nabi, a professor of communication at the University of California-Santa Barbara.  “It’s a short, simple and even enjoyable break — and it can make a meaningful difference in helping people feel more optimistic and able to handle what’s in front of them,” Nabi added in a news release. Activities like meditation, deep breathing and exercise are often recommended for stress management, but many folks can’t fit them into their day, she said. “Though there are many effective ways to deal with stress, people often feel too busy or overwhelmed to enact these strategies,” Nabi said. Media is rarely discussed as a means of dealing with stress, even though movies, TV and short online videos are all considered enjoyable pastimes, she  said. “So many of us are told that when we’re stressed, we should avoid media. And, in fact, we as a society tend to look at media use through a very negative lens,” Nabi said.…  read on >  read on >

Turns Out, There Are 5 Sleep Styles — And Each Affects Your Brain Differently

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A new study suggests there’s more to sleep than how long you snooze each night. Your overall sleep pattern could shape your mood, brain function and even long-term health. Researchers from Concordia University in Montreal identified five distinct sleep profiles that may help explain why some people feel well-rested while others struggle with fatigue, poor focus or emotional ups and downs. The findings, published Oct. 7 in PLOS Biology, show that these “sleep-biopsychosocial profiles” reflect a mix of biological, mental and environmental factors — from stress and emotions to bedroom comfort — that all affect how well you sleep. “People should treat their sleep seriously,” study co-author Valeria Kebets, a manager at Concordia’s Applied AI Institute, told NBC News. “It affects everything in their daily functioning.” The researchers identified five sleep profiles: 1. Poor sleep and mental health People in this group reported the worst sleep quality and higher levels of stress, fear and anger. They also had a greater risk of anxiety and depression. 2. Sleep resilience These individuals had poor mental health or attention issues but said their sleep felt fine, suggesting “sleep misperception,” or being unaware of underlying sleep problems, researchers said. 3. Sleep aids and sociability This group used sleep aids, but also reported strong social support and fewer feelings of rejection. However, they showed lower emotional awareness and weaker memory.…  read on >  read on >

Turns Out, There Are 5 Sleep Styles — And Each Affects Your Brain Differently

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A new study suggests there’s more to sleep than how long you snooze each night. Your overall sleep pattern could shape your mood, brain function and even long-term health. Researchers from Concordia University in Montreal identified five distinct sleep profiles that may help explain why some people feel well-rested while others struggle with fatigue, poor focus or emotional ups and downs. The findings, published Oct. 7 in PLOS Biology, show that these “sleep-biopsychosocial profiles” reflect a mix of biological, mental and environmental factors — from stress and emotions to bedroom comfort — that all affect how well you sleep. “People should treat their sleep seriously,” study co-author Valeria Kebets, a manager at Concordia’s Applied AI Institute, told NBC News. “It affects everything in their daily functioning.” The researchers identified five sleep profiles: 1. Poor sleep and mental health People in this group reported the worst sleep quality and higher levels of stress, fear and anger. They also had a greater risk of anxiety and depression. 2. Sleep resilience These individuals had poor mental health or attention issues but said their sleep felt fine, suggesting “sleep misperception,” or being unaware of underlying sleep problems, researchers said. 3. Sleep aids and sociability This group used sleep aids, but also reported strong social support and fewer feelings of rejection. However, they showed lower emotional awareness and weaker memory.…  read on >  read on >