West Newsmagazine 8-15-18

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24 I HEALTH I August 15, 2018 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Ranked in all ten pediatric specialties! 215470_SLC_NewsWest_10x2.indd 1 8/7/18 2:34 PM A recent study sought to measure the brain benefits of meditation, which is becoming increasingly popular among adults. health capsules By LISA RUSSELL Meditation shown to reduce stress, improve brain function The practice of meditation is on the rise as more and more people claim that its benefits – including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, increased focus and awareness, better cardiovascular health and many others – are improving their day-to-day lives. Recently, a study conducted among school district personnel in San Francisco attempted to measure those benefits scientifically, by studying the brain patterns of meditating adults using electroencephalogram [EEG] readings. The study found that over a four-month period, those who practiced the Transcendental Meditation [TM] technique experienced significant decreases in psychological distress along with improved brain function compared to others who did not meditate. This study is the largest randomized trial conducted to date investigating the impact of TM on brain functioning. The brain patterns of those participating in the study were measured using the Profile of Mood States [POMS], a psychological rating scale used to assess distinct mood states, and the Brain Integration Scale [BIS], which is designed to show the level of connectivity between brain areas. After a few months of meditating regularly, TM participants showed a significant overall decrease on the POMS Total Mood Disturbance scale, as well as lower levels of anxiety, anger, depression, fatigue and confusion measured by POMS subscales. They also showed significant increases on the POMS “vigor” subscale – which measures energy, enthusiasm and general well-being – and significant increases in their BIS scores. The study was conducted by the Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education, a San Francisco-based nonprofit serving that area’s school communities. Eye movement patterns may reveal personality traits Many psychologists subscribe to the theory that there are five basic dimensions of personality, often referred to as the “Big Five” personality traits. Those five broad traits are extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness and neuroticism. And just as it’s often said that “the eyes are the window to the soul,” new research shows that the pattern of your individual eye movements may also indicate your personality type. Researchers at the University of South Australia partnered with German scientists to develop machine-learning algorithms designed to demonstrate a link between personality and eye movements. They claim their findings show that people’s eye movements reveal whether they are sociable, conscientious or curious, and that their algorithm software reliably recognizes four of the Big Five traits: neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness. To test their software, researchers tracked the eye movements of 42 participants as they went about their everyday lives around a university campus. Then they assessed each individual’s personality traits using well-established questionnaires. The scientists said their study not only provides new links between eye movements and personality traits, but also delivers important insights for the emerging field of “social robotics” – meaning it may help in the development of machines that can better interact with humans. The pattern of an individual’s eye movements may offer clues to his or her personality characteristics. “People are always looking for improved, personalized services. However, today’s robots and computers are not socially aware, so they cannot adapt to non-verbal cues. This research provides opportunities to develop robots and computers so that they can become more natural, and better at interpreting human social signals,” said Dr. Tobias Loetscher, one of the study’s leaders. How much genetic interference is too much? In recent years, science and medicine have become more and more successful at developing targeted gene therapies to treat disease, and most people probably agree that this progress is a good thing. However, ethical concerns have risen along with the ability to edit the human genome. A recently released survey of American adults conducted earlier this year by the Pew Research Center attempted to identify some of those concerns when it comes to altering the genetic characteristics of unborn children. For example, a large majority of those surveyed – 72 percent – said they support the idea of using gene editing for the purpose of treating a serious disease or condition that a baby would otherwise have at birth. A smaller majority [60 percent] said genetic editing to reduce a baby’s risk of developing a serious disease or condition over his or her entire lifetime is also appropriate. However, just 19 percent said the use of gene editing to boost a baby’s intelligence is appropriate, with most expressing the belief that using the technology in this manner takes it “too far.” When considering the possibility that development of genetic editing capability would entail testing on human embryos, only one-third of Americans said this would be appropriate, while most said embryonic testing would also be taking medical technology too far. As people look toward a future that includes widespread use of genetic editing technology, those surveyed expressed a belief that it will result in more negative than positive effects on society as a whole. Specifically, 58 percent said they believe gene editing will likely lead to increased inequality, because it will be more readily available to the wealthy. A little over half said they anticipate a slippery slope, saying it’s very likely that “even if gene editing is used appropriately in some cases, others will use these techniques in ways that are morally unacceptable.” By contrast, only 18 percent of those surveyed said they consider it very likely that development of gene editing techniques will pave the way for new medical advances that benefit society as a whole. Among specific demographic groups, other interesting findings included: • In general, men were more supportive than women of using gene editing to alter
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM August 15, 2018 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I HEALTH I 25 The Pew Research Center recently surveyed Americans about their attitudes toward altering the human genome in the name of medical progress. an unborn baby’s genetic makeup. About 10 percent more men than women said they support using genetic editing to treat a congenital disorder or to reduce a baby’s lifetime disease risk. More men [43 percent] than women [24 percent] also consider embryonic testing to develop gene editing technology appropriate. • Just under half of Americans surveyed who consider themselves “highly religious” said gene editing to reduce a baby’s lifetime risk of developing a serious disease or condition is an appropriate use of medical technology, while 73 percent of those with little or no religious commitment would support using the technology in this way. • Americans with high levels of science knowledge were more likely to view the use of genetic editing technology positively. On the calendar BJC presents a Runners 10 Stretching Program for young athletes age 10 and older and their parents on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center, 13001 North Outer 40 Road in Town & Country. Two sessions are available: 6-7p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Sports medicine specialists and physical therapists will discuss injury prevention and lead the class through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. The cost is $10 per person. To register, call (314) 454-5437. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital hosts its 16th annual Life & Hope Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club, 18 Research Park Circle in St. Charles. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Proceeds provide services for cancer patients at St. Luke’s. For more information or to register, call (314) 576-2345 or visit stlukes-stl.com. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital sponsors an American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the hospital’s Institute for Health Education, 222 S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield, in the North Medical Office Building. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code SAINTLUKES or call (314) 658-2090. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital presents a free quarterly program, From Failure to Success - Strengthening Your Heart’s Function on Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Desloge Outpatient Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in Chesterfield, in Building A. Join a multidisciplinary team of health professionals including a nurse, dietitian, pharmacist and exercise physiologist to discuss proven strategies that will help you to take control of your health and minimize your risk of complications. Register online at stlukes-stl.com. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital and Dierbergs Markets present What’s in Your Cart? Learn to Shop for a Healthier You on Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Dierbergs West Oak, 11481 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur. Confused about what you should and shouldn’t eat? Concerned about diabetes and heart disease? Join this store tour that will focus on making better food choices, reading labels and meal planning. A St. Luke’s dietitian will lead the tour and answer questions. The course fee is $5, and all participants will receive a $5 Dierbergs gift card at the end of the tour. To register or for additional information, visit dierbergs.com or call (314) 238-0440. • • • BJC sponsors a Family & Friends CPR course on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Missouri Baptist Hospital Clinical Learning Institute, 3005 N. Ballas Road. The course offers instruction and hands-on practice for parents and child care providers for adult hands-only CPR; infant and child CPR with breaths; introduction to adult and child AED use, and relief of choking. While the course does not offer CPR certification, participants will receive a card which certifies participation in the class. Cost is $25 per person [10-15-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult]. Register online by visiting https://classes-events.bjc.org. • • • Mercy Hospital St. Louis offers a Sitter Skills program for children between the ages of 11 and 13 on Friday, Sept. 7 from 6-9 p.m. at the hospital’s campus, 615 S. New Ballas Road, in Classroom 2 on the seventh floor. The course offers information about infant care, child development, interactive play, safety, handling emergency situations and marketing babysitting services. Children are asked to bring a doll or stuffed animal to class to learn how to change diapers. The course fee is $30 per child. Register online at mercy.net [click on Join Classes and Programs under the Patient Resources tab]. When it comes to insurance solutions Steve Downs can help you put the pieces together. He has the experience and knowledge to help you make informed decisions. Call or email Steve to discuss your individual needs. Steve Downs 142 Enchanted Parkway, #101 Manchester, MO 636-391-9111 LIVINGWORDUMC.ORG Legacy OF SONG wellslandscapinginc.com Landscape Design & Installation Patios Retaining Walls Drainage & Erosion Control Sod • Seeding Fall Clean Ups • Mulch Landscape Maintenance Call today for a consultation W O R S H I P C O N C E R T at Living Word A U G U S T 2 6 9 A M + 1 0 : 3 0 A M 17315 MANCHESTER ROAD
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West Newsmagazine 8-15-18

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