AMSTERDAM: Scientists have identified a secret ingredient in honey that kills bacteria.
They have found that bees make a protein that they add to the honey, called defensin-1, which could one day be used to treat burns and skin infections and to develop new drugs that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
"We have completely elucidated the molecular basis of the antibacterial activity of a single medical-grade honey, which contributes to the applicability of honey in medicine," said a researcher involved in the work from the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam.
"Honey or isolated honey-derived components might be of great value for prevention and treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria," he added.
To make the discovery, researchers investigated the antibacterial activity of medical-grade honey in test tubes against a panel of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria.
They developed a method to selectively neutralize the known antibacterial factors in honey and determine their individual antibacterial contributions. Ultimately, researchers isolated the defensin-1 protein, which is part of the honeybee immune system and is added by bees to honey.
After analysis, the scientists concluded that the vast majority of honey's antibacterial properties come from that protein.
NEW YORK: A miniature telescope that is implanted in the eye to solve sight problems has been approved for use in the US.
The new device is for people with an irreversible, advanced form of macular degeneration in which a blind spot develops in the central vision of both eyes. The telescope replaces the eye’s nature lens and can provide an image that is magnified by almost three times.
The device then magnifies and projects the images onto a healthy portion of the retina. The firm behind the telescope claims that it will help patients suffering from end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease which is the leading cause of vision loss in the US.
It can only be used in one eye because the other is needed for peripheral vision. Patients who receive the telescope will need rehabilitation to help retrain their brain to merge the views from the two eyes into a single image.
It is intended for patients 75 and older with severe vision impairment caused by blind spots and clinical tests found that for 75 per cent saw an improvement in their eyesight. The drugs watchdog, the FDA, said that the telescope’s size might mean that patients will also need a corneal transplant after the operation.
Wet AMD is caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels around the eye, and can be treated by stopping the growth of a natural protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
The firm behind the telescope, VisionCare, must now carry out two further studies, following up existing patients and beginning a study of 770 new patients.
NEW YORK: A miniature telescope that is implanted in the eye to solve sight problems has been approved for use in the US.
The new device is for people with an irreversible, advanced form of macular degeneration in which a blind spot develops in the central vision of both eyes. The telescope replaces the eye’s nature lens and can provide an image that is magnified by almost three times.
The device then magnifies and projects the images onto a healthy portion of the retina. The firm behind the telescope claims that it will help patients suffering from end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease which is the leading cause of vision loss in the US.
It can only be used in one eye because the other is needed for peripheral vision. Patients who receive the telescope will need rehabilitation to help retrain their brain to merge the views from the two eyes into a single image.
It is intended for patients 75 and older with severe vision impairment caused by blind spots and clinical tests found that for 75 per cent saw an improvement in their eyesight. The drugs watchdog, the FDA, said that the telescope’s size might mean that patients will also need a corneal transplant after the operation.
Wet AMD is caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels around the eye, and can be treated by stopping the growth of a natural protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
The firm behind the telescope, VisionCare, must now carry out two further studies, following up existing patients and beginning a study of 770 new patients.
Moisturizers are cosmetic products which to some extent provide a practical answer to problems of water loss from the skin. Though water is the missing ingredient, in dry skins, application of water alone is not the solution as this has only a temporary effect. Though oil is equally essential (it serves to hold water on to the skin surface), it alone also can't moisturize the skin.
Facial Moisturizers, therefore, combine both water and oil. This not only replaces some of the water lost from the skin, but more importantly prevents its loss to the surroundings. There are several moisturizing products available in the market. They all fall, basically, into 2 main types: oil-in-water emulsions and water-in-oil emulsions.
The oil-in-water moisturizers sometimes also contain substances called humectants which attract water from the surroundings, but this may have its own disadvantage because humectants may sometimes absorb too much water from the skin itself thereby increasing its dryness. A commonly used humectant is glycerine. Newer ingredients have been added to increase the effectiveness of this group of moisturizers, but still their effect remains temporary.
The second category of skin moisturizers comprise the newer water-in-oil emulsions. They are marketed generally as creams or lotions. Being oil-based products, these trap moisture in the skin by forming an absorbing film on the skin surface. This forms a barrier retarding water loss. Many of these products are also called antidehydrating creams. How to choose your Moisturizer?
Choosing the moisturizer to suit your skin type is very very important The proportion of oil varies according to the type of skin for which the product is formulated. The label on the product generally states this - so do read the instructions carefully!
Generally speaking, products meant for well balanced normal skins are water-based, containing a little oil. Those designed for dry skins make up for the lack of oil on the skin, by adding oil to the skin. Humectants like glycerine and lactic acid, are also added to retain moisture. Sensitive skins also need moisturizers having a high oil content.
Moisturizers are, generally, not to be used on oily skins, because they can cause spots. But today safe synthetic chemicals are available these oil-free moisturizers do not contain any mineral oils, vegetable oils or animal fat, but contain either modified oils or other synthetic ingredients. So now you can enjoy the luxury of using such products, even if you have an oily skin. Use them on patches of dryness caused by excessive use of anti-pimple remedies, yet don 't use them too often or too liberally.
Now, newer light non-greasy creams and lotions are also available - these are as effective as the heavy, thick and greasy creams and are competitively priced. They are the best type to be worn under makeup, as they give a superb finish to the make-up. Is it worth using a moisturizer regularly?
Yes, regular use of a suitable moisturizer does benefit your skin. By guarding against the excessive loss of water, these agents protect the skin against the drying influences of the environment - the effects of sun, cold and heat. A moisturizer is particularly helpful for naturally dry skins, but whatever be your skin type a moisturizer does compensate for the deficiencies in the natural oil-film and keeps your skin lubricated making it soft, smooth and looking more youthful.
Further, moisturizers give a smooth finish to makeup. Putting on a light moisturizing cream will make makeup much easier to apply and reduce the risk of dragging the skin.
Most dermatologists agree that moisturizers effectively combat skin dryness and make the skin soft and supple. But the role of special ingredients, like vitamins, proteins, collagen and hormones, in many of the expensive creams is quite doubtful. In fact, it is only the simple lubricating action of the ingredients in the creams that do any good. So using exotic oils (such as deer oil) instead of ordinary oils, will not make the moisturizer any more effective, though it will add enormously to the cost. However, certain natural and synthetic substances, humectants - like urea, lactic acid, and phospholipids, might improve the effectiveness of moisturizers as they increase the hydration of the skin.
Indian Bindi, Dessert, Skin Care, Jewelry - Beauty of Forehead
Add a zero to figure one and its value will increase ten times. Likewise, place a bindi (dot) on your forehead after makeup and the charm of the face will enhance ten times. Bindi (also called bindiya) is a symbol, not only of beauty but of your Suhag too - an indication of a married woman. A married Hindu woman uses various symbols - sindur, bangles, mangal sutra, bichhuye on the toes and alta on feet. Likewise, bindi is a symbol of good luck and purity. It has found its way in folk literature, poetry, sculpture and other forms of arts and literature.
In ancient times bhasm (sacred ashes) or chandan (sandalwood paste) were used on forehead by men. Women decorated the forehead with a red dot symbolic of good luck like the rising sun. They used materials varying from roli, kumkum, sindur. Today, bindis are available in different colours to match your makeup and dress. Although, traditionally only a round dot is permissible, these days the bindis are available in many shapes, some of them being religious symbols like trident (trishul), conch (shankh), star (tara), lamp (deepak) and so on. Today even unmarried women use bindi. The Colour and Shape of your Bindi Jewelry
If bindi matches your dress in colours, the entire dressing-up acquires a typical beauty. The colour of your dress and the shape of your face should determine the shape, size and colour of the bindi you choose. Some popular unique designs available are - round, long, oblong, triangular, crescent moon, a round bindi with small dots surrounding it, etc. You are the best judge to decide what suits you. For middle-aged women it is advisable to use deep colours which lend gravity and soberness to their personality. In summers, light-tinged bindi looks pleasant. In winters and at night bright colours appear prominent.
Some tips for choosing your Bindi
. A small forehead appears large with an oblong bindi. . A broad forehead looks good with a round bindi. . On a fair complexion, red looks striking. . On dark complexion pink, orange or sandal wood colour appears prominent. . Wheatish complexion requires a light red bindi. . If the skin is very dark, do not use red, steel grey or chocolate colours. . For large eyes, big bindi is suitable, for small eyes a small bindi.
Height and shape of body are also determining factors.
. A tall woman should use round shaped bindi . A a short woman should put on longish shaped bindi. . If you have a broad forehead, place bindi in the middle, but if you have a narrow forehead put it between eyebrows.
Bindi can be in liquid or cream form. Powder bindi is difficult to use and requires cream or vaseline as base. Glass, lac or plastic bindis can be stuck with a little spit. Some women make it a point to match their bindi with their dress, irrespective of the fact whether they are going to a wedding, a festival, or a party. But, this is an erroneous attitude. Because instead of heightening their beauty, a wrong decision can make you ridiculous and uncultured. So, you have to be choosy and wise in your choice of bindi. A bindi is much more than a mere dot on the forehead. It can make or damage your charm
Beautiful skin is essential for making the most of your looks. Without it, all that carefully applied make-up will either go patchy and blotchy, slide into lines and wrinkles or disappear off your face in a shiny, oily mess. The simple truth is that most of us don't have beautiful skin. In fact, we don't even have so-called 'normal' skin, with its plump,shiny texture, radiant glow and minimal breakouts.
Instead we have dry bits, oily bits or irritated bits, and that means our skin doesn't always look or feel as good as it should. But the good news is that you don't have to put up with this. By knowing what kind of skin you have and how to treat it, you can solve your particular problems. Balance the levels of water and oil in your skin and you will create the state of harmony that is beautiful, perfect, 'normal' skin. What Type of Skin Do You Have?
To create perfect skin you have to treat each individual cell within. It perfectly You need to know if the cell needs more water,less oil or just leaving alone to calm down and stop getting hot and bothered. The only way you're going to do this is to know your skin type. Now, you may think you know this already, but many of us are wrong. For starters, skin types change with age, so oily skin in your teens doesn't mean oily skin in your twenties, thirties or forties. Skin types can also change with the seasons, as temperatures affect the levels of oil and water in the skin; they can change with your diet, and even according to the time of the month, So to truly know your skin type, you have to reassess it regularly. Doing so is easy - just answer the following questions and see which letter you choose most often.
1) Take A Look At Your Face In Bright Light, What Do You See ?
a) It's shiny with noticeable blackheads
b) It looks flaky and feels taut
c) My forehead, chin and nose are shiny, the rest is tight and flaky
d) It's very pale, and there are occasional red or flaky patches
e) The surface is dull. I'm low on colour and there are noticeable lines and wrinkles
2) Wash Your Skin With Some Plain Soap and Water, Wait For About 20 Minutes Now What do you notice?
a) It looks less shiny
b) It looks and feels tighter plus It's gone a grey colour
c) It's less shiny on my nose and forehead but now my cheeks feel dreadful
d) It's itchy, red and flaky thanks a lot
e) My lines and wrinkles are even more noticeable but I've got some colour back into my skin tone
3) Do you get spots ?
a) Yes, I'm prone to blackheads,whiteheads or big red ones that hurt
b) Not really only around my period or if i use thick moisturizer
c) Only on my nose, forehead and chin
d) Yes, but they're red rather than whiteheads or i get rashes
e) Very rarely
4) Look At Your Nose And The Area Around ItWhat Do You Notice Most?
a) Blackheads, whiteheads and oil
b) Flaky patches and redness around my nostrils
c) That my nose and cheeks look like they're from two different faces, my nose is shiny, my cheeks are dull
d) There are lots of little red veins and high colour on my cheeks
e) I've lots of open pores
5) Take Your Index finger and Lightly Press Your Cheek Upwards. What Do You See?
a) Nothing really
b) I get loads of tiny lines like crepe paper that vanish when i stop
c) Some lines appear but when i stop pressing they go away
d) The area goes white, then red or it feels hot
e) I get folds of skin forming and it takes a while to snap back to normal
6) Now Get A Magnifying Mirror Or At Least Stand In Some Really Bright Natural Light. Look At Your Pores - What Are They Like?
a) Big, black and shiny
b) Practically non-existent
c) Big on my nose, chin and forehead
d) Large but clear there's no oil there
7) Apply Your Make-Up As Normal In The Morning, Then At Lunchtime Take A Long Hard Look In The mirror. What's happened?
a) What's left of it is shiny but most of it has disappeared
b) It's gone blotchy and flaky
c) My cheeks aren't so bad, but my nose is shiny
d) My skin looks a bit red and irritated
e) It's settled on the lines of my face or looks dry
Beauty personifies excellence. Perfect beauty is an elusive utopian concept. However a thing of beauty is joy forever. If one can enhance one's looks by making small improvements in lifestyle and beauty care regime then a new beautiful person emerges from the sidewalks. Being beautiful gives personal satisfaction, is a moral booster and adds joy in life. Mortal human beings have been fascinated with the concept of beauty as can be seen through the efforts made by prominent figures like Cleopatra in ancient age to modern day beauty icons like Jennifer Lopez to have a stunning persona. Beauty lies deep in healthy hair, skin and overall appearance of body.
Healthy and well taken care of skin is something that is first noticed in a beautiful and groomed person. For healthy looking skin, it is important to have healthy diet as what you eat gets reflected on your skin. Another cardinal factor for maintaining supple skin is regular intake of water as it flushes out toxins from body. Personal hygiene is also very important for a soft skin. The face should be wiped of oil, dirt and excessive traces of cosmetics before sleeping with the help of natural or mild cleansers. Deficiency of important minerals and vitamins is reflected on skin in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, brown pigmentation and linear spots. For a healthy skin the intake of vitamin A and B and minerals like iron and iodine must be regularized.
The common problems associated with skin are acne, pigmentation, wrinkles and dark circles around eyes. Acne is result of hormonal imbalances and excessive oil production in skin. It can be regulated by a healthy diet and regular skin care regime that comprises of cleansing, moisturizing and toning. In severe cases, topical applications and oral prescriptions must be taken under the consultation of a dermatologist.
Pollution, excess exposure to sun and stress often results in wrinkles at a young age. These can be controlled by regular facial massages, which tightens facial skin and increases blood circulation. In the market there are easily available thermal and skin tightening masks, which can be applied once in fifteen days to have the desired effect. Care should be taken while buying skin care products. Those with harsh chemicals must be avoided and those with natural ingredients must be preferred.
Excess exposure to sun and pollution causes pigmentation of skin which on becoming permanent can be removed only under the expert advice of a dermatologist. For overall care of skin, face packs made from natural ingredients available must also be tried depending upon the skin time. Curd mixed with lemon juice is good face pack for normal to oily skin. Curd mixed with lemon juice and honey nourishes dry skin. In market, there are easily available mudpacks. They help in reducing the effect of sunburns and tanning and must be used once in a week.
Dark circles around eyes are other common skin problems. Their onset starts in early thirties and they are caused by fatigue, loss of sleep, prolonged illness, anemia, migraine, hereditary factors, dietary deficiency, stress or kidney disease. These days the onset of dark circles starts early in mid twenties due to hereditary factors, modern chaotic lifestyle and excess exposure to sun. Since the skin around eyes is very thin and delicate, it becomes very noticeable.
It is really very important for you to be able to identify your skin type. This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly. Also the selection of your cosmetics to a considerable extent is influenced by your skin type. Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following types: normal skin, dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin. Normal Skin Type
Normal skin is smooth and velvety to touch and does not look puffy or shiny. The skin has a rosy colour because the circulation of blood is good and the skin is well moisturized. The pores are fine and barely visible. This type of skin is very rare. It is one of the best types which retains freshness, attraction and flush for long. If you own this type of skin, you have a real fortune to exploit. Caring for Normal Skin Type
However, though, normal type of skin is not really problematic, it still needs sensible care and gentle treatment. Choose your skin care products carefully and always look for mild, well-balanced cosmetics. It requires very light make-up. Face should be washed with soft water. If the usual tap water in your area is hard, soften it by adding a little 'borax powder' to it. In order to keep up the glow of your skin, it is imperative to wipe off your make-up before going to bed with a good cleansing cream. Do not use make-up at least once a week so as to let your skin breathe fresh air. Dry Skin Type
Dry skin is fine, sensitive to the weather and is prone to wrinkles. Dry skin is delicate and dry with a tendency to scaling on the cheeks. Underneath, the skin lacks suppleness and therefore feels taut after washing. The pores are not visible as there is an insufficient amount of secretion from the sebaceous glands. Dry skin tends to age prematurely and is wrinkle-prone unless nurtured. Constant protection is very important and the products used must be gentle, rich and soothing. Always use a moisturizer during the day and a good cream at night. Caring for Dry Skin Type
Protect it against wind, sun and water. Dry skin should not be washed with cold water and soap, nor should astringent lotions be used. Instead, after cleaning it at night, before bed-time, it is better to use a good freshner which might give it some freshness. The freshner should be non-alcoholic, because alcohol dries the skin. Moisturizer should be spread slowly on the face by giving outward motion either with cotton or fingers. Use moisturizer on your neck and other parts which are exposed. Diet, rich with vitamins A, B,C, D should be taken. Oily Skin Type
Oily skin is coarse, thick and shiny. The sebaceous glands being over-active, the pores are clearly visible. Oily skin is prone to blackhead and pimples and needs to be cleaned scrupulously. Only those cosmetics which have been formulated especially for oily skins should be used, otherwise there will be problems.
A greasy skin is prone to pimples and dark shadows. It, therefore, requires frequent cleaning, say thrice a day at least. Use of sulphur soap is beneficial., Also, remember to clean your face at night, before retiring, with some good quality cleansing milk or with un boiled milk. Avoid greasy food. Your intake of water should be at least six glasses a day . If the skin is allowed to remain greasy, pimples and blackheads find an easy way to appear. A greasy skin does not require make-up. Cleansing the pores with steaming once, a week is an effective method to keep the skin greaseless. Use a face-pack after steaming. This is called facial. Face-packs are available in the market but they can also be made at home. What kind of pack would suit you depends upon your skin. Combination Skin Type
Most of us have a combination skin. The middle of the face (patches on the forehead, the nose and the chin) is shiny with dilated ostia and a coarse texture. The rest of the face is either normal or dry. Sometimes, the difference between the two areas is great; if such is the case with your skin, then you would have to treat each part of the face accordingly - the dry areas as for dry skin and the central face as for oily skin. Caring for Combination Skin Type
If your face is partly oily and partly dry, you've got combination skin and there are several ways to care for it so that you can keep both types balanced and looking good.
* Use a mild cleanser on your entire face up to twice a day. * Use a good moisturizer on the dry areas. - Moisturizers work by either increasing the penetration of water into the skin or by reducing the rate at which water is evaporating from the skin surface. * Look for products that normalize your skin, such as those that contain alpha hydroxy acids - Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from fruit, milk and sugar cane and have antiinflammatory properties. When applied to the skin they help remove dead skin cells (exfoliate), giving a younger appearance. * Use oil-absorbing makeup on oily areas to control shine. * Use a sunscreen, minimum SPF.
stethoscope and cuff High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to be tested for it. Using the familiar blood pressure cuff, your doctor or nurse can easily tell if your blood pressure is high. How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before having your blood pressure measured. Before the test, sit for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart. Wear short sleeves so your arm is exposed. Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change your blood pressure reading. Get two readings, taken at least two minutes apart, and average the results. Ask the doctor or nurse to tell you the blood pressure reading in numbers.
If you are trying to find Laser Removal Of Hair In Florida, Plastic Surgery Center is a good one to add on the list of Laser Removal Of Hair In Florida clinics to reconnoiter.
It is always a good idea to reconnoiter a good choice of hair removal laser clinics prior to finalizing the ultimate decision.
High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. You can prevent and control high blood pressure by taking action.
In this section you will learn more about what high blood pressure is and what it does inside the body.
AMSTERDAM: Scientists have identified a secret ingredient in honey that kills bacteria.
NEW YORK: A miniature telescope that is implanted in the eye to solve sight problems has been approved for use in the US.