In a fascinating new study into how infectious diseases spread, published in Peer J, researchers have discovered that people are literally surrounded with a specific, individualized cloud of germs and bacteria. In fact, the signature is so distinct that the study analyzed air samples and successfully discerned individual participant’s identities.

Researchers concluded that each person has a unique “microbial cloud” — that they named the “microbiome.” Previously, scientists were aware of a variety of microbes, including Streptococcus in the mouth, others that are typically hosted in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as Propionibacterium and Corynebacterium on the skin. However, this surprising study from the University of Oregon found that people actually leave traces of their own microbiome in a mist or fog around themselves and in an area where they have previously been.

Study author James Meadow and his colleagues used a unique methodology – they tested 11 participants by sealing each in their own sanitized chamber. The results suggest that air samples could even pinpoint which individual had just left a sealed chamber, based on the makeup of their particular cloud of bacteria. Within four hours, they identified each individual by sequencing the haze of bacteria left behind in the chamber. “Our results confirm that an occupied space is microbially distinct from an unoccupied one — and demonstrate for the first time that individuals release their own personalized microbial cloud.”

Meadows explained the research team’s astonishment, “We expected that we would be able to detect the human microbiome in the air around a person, but we were surprised to find that we could identify most of the occupants just by sampling their microbial cloud.”
The team hopes that this new discovery will lead to more development and understanding of infectious diseases and how they are treated, as well as a further exploration into the ways in which they are spread – they surmised it may even be helpful in combatting crime by giving investigators a new tool to identify perpetrators.

Fukushima Disaster Causes Dramatic Increase in Thyroid Cancer

New statistics show a staggering increase in thyroid cancer surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. As of January this year, 16 new cases of thyroid cancer have been diagnosed in children – raising the total to 103 diagnoses.

These cases have all been confirmed, according to a report from March 31, identifying the cancer as definitive papillary thyroid cancer, with an additional nine suspected cases. This problem stems from the lack of urgency and restrictions put in place by the Japanese government, which barred researchers from performing critical evaluations that may have predicted such outcomes.

Upon confirming these results, the interim committee overseeing the testing performed on Fukushima residents deemed the spike in cases of thyroid cancer an “excess incidence.” While the committee still scrambles to find another source to blame the rise in pediatric thyroid cancer, such as over-diagnosis, they haven’t completely ruled Fukushima out. In fact, this lasting health damage shouldn’t come as a surprise to most experts, considering the spike in cancer rates reported after similar events occurred in Chernobyl.

Shinichi Suzuki, head of the the Fukushima Thyroid Examination, said in a statement:
“There is a striking similarity between the [age] profiles of patients diagnosed during the period of latency after Chernobyl in Ukraine and currently in Fukushima. In contrast, patients diagnosed in Ukraine after the period of latency, when radiation-induced tumors started to manifest, displayed principally a different age pattern. No such patient has been diagnosed in Fukushima thus far.”

One professor, who conducted independent research on 65 Fukushima residents one month after the fallout, reported that he found a substantial amount of radioactive iodine in 50 of their thyroids, or 77%.

When asked about the release of these revealing statistics, Ina Westerman, a representative for a reputable health community, said “We can’t help but wonder how different this outcome would have been if Japanese officials had taken the proper steps to investigate the real damage caused by the fallout. If they would have taken a queue from similar events of the past, something could have been done to protect these children from a life-altering disease.”

In a newly published report, researchers presented the results of three innovative studies on the benefits of physical activity on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia related symptoms, at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, AAIC, in Washington, D.C. These results highlighted that physical activity can help improve symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s and cause positive changes in the brain.

But, what’s even more exciting, these researchers found that the cognitive benefits aren’t limited to people who already have cognitive challenges – these findings also show exercise may protect the brain from developing Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other types of dementia.

These results are so convincing, the presentation has prompted immediate support for a pioneering approach toward treatment for neurological symptoms. Maria Carillo, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association Chief Science Officer, shared her views on the presentation, saying “Based on the results we heard reported today at AAIC 2015, exercise or regular physical activity might play a role in both protecting your brain from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and also living better with the disease if you have it. These findings also highlight the potential value of non-drug therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and remind us that research ought to adamantly pursue combination and multi-model approaches to Alzheimer’s therapy and prevention.”

Dr. Steen Hasselbalch, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, was also inspired by the results, saying, “Symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and depression that often occur in Alzheimer’s disease are the cause of great distress in both caregivers and people with the disease. This calls for further study of multimodal treatment strategies, including lifestyle and drug therapies.”

The Alzheimer’s Association states that this research “provides hope there may soon be a tool that people with dementia can use to prolong their independence and improve their quality of life.” Because of this growing body of evidence, they advise regular physical activity as one key proactive step to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

A prominent health and wellness brand is equally excited about these findings, and hopeful that many people will implement this simple preventative practice into their daily lives. Harry Douglas, a representative for the company, was quoted in response to the research results, saying, “This company is hopeful that new research will continue to prove the remedial effects of simple lifestyle changes, such as physical activity. With more proof like this coming to the surface, there is no excuse for ignoring the small changes that can really impact a persons health, both now and in the future.”

Because Fucoidan is an organic product, it does not have the capacity of creating the same adverse effects as chemically-engineered medicines. Keeping that in mind, there are a couple of documented instances of negative effects for this all-natural extract. It is essential to take into consideration which sort of seaweed is being used in your chosen fucoidan extract, as there can be much more adverse effects connected with select types of seaweed.

Folks that are allergic to soy must know that they might have an allergic reaction to brown algae extract. Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction might include trouble breathing, swelling of the face and also neck, rash, hives, and a boosted heart rate. Fucoidan extracts maintain some of the top health qualities of the algae that they were originated from. A lot of seaweeds consist of small blood-thinning top qualities. Commonly this is useful as it minimizes the possibility of cardiovascular disease and also movement, however, people currently on blood thinners (such as Warfarin or Coumadin) or that currently have low blood pressure must understand that risks can consist of lightheadedness, fainting, as well as increased ease of injury. Fucoidan extracted from mozuku algae, however, has blood-thickening high qualities, and should only be taken in little doses or otherwise not at all by individuals who already have high blood pressure.

Anybody searching for a Fucoidan extract must likewise realize that algae is normally high in iodine. In general, the content of  iodine in seaweed is about 20 to 50 ppm. Any type of credible Fucoidan extract will have a suggested dose that will be safe for many people to take without any negative effects or risk of exposure to too much iodine. All things considered, taking excessive amounts of or more than the recommended dose of an fucoidan extract can increase the chances of iodine poisoning. Due to the iodine material in fucoidan extract, people with hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid) ought to not take a fucoidan supplement. Folks with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or average levels of iodine can take fucoidan extracts without issue, as the typical iodine content can help you to avoid goiter triggered by hypothyroidism.