Health and Fitness

Cognitive abilities age at different rates because our brains age differently

Researchers at the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit have discovered that specific mental abilities – such as problem-solving or multi-tasking – decline with age at different rates because individuals’ brains age differently.

E-cigarette usage in the UK has tripled

The number of people using electronic cigarettes in the UK has tripled over the past two years. An estimated 2.1 million people are now choosing to vape. E-cigarettes have grown in popularity since their invention by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in 2003.

Healthy New Year: Green juice, hair of the dog, or both?

Each January, roughly one in three people resolve to better themselves in some way, with healthier eating and exercise topping the list. About three quarters stick to their goals for at least a week, but few persevere.

New data shows 1.3 million more infants eating free school meals

Official figures show that the Deputy Prime Minister’s policy of offering free school meals to all infants at school has had a very high uptake in its first 3 months.

Tropical tummy trimmer

Its fans already include Alisha Dixon and Miranda Kerr, but a new study, published this month in the British Journal of Nutrition, shows we could all benefit from swapping to virgin coconut oil this New Year.

Giving something up or given up?

It’ll soon be New Year, a time when people can be overheard saying they want to turn over a new leaf, start from scratch or simply be a little better/fitter/nicer than the year before, but in giving up one bad habit are you unconsciously starting another?

Time does not heal 'broken heart syndrome', new research finds

An acute heart condition previously thought to recover spontaneously does not necessarily heal with time, new Aberdeen research has found.

Publically pledging is key to achieving New Year’s resolutions

A new global study reveals that one in two people are more likely to stick to a resolution which has been pledged publicly. Those in the far east (Vietnam 84% and Thailand 77%) together with India (58%) and France (57%) are the most likely to fulfil their goals if shared for others to see.

The Clevedon 10k and Half Marathon returns this December

A group of Clevedon friends have once again organised a sponsored run in aid of the charity which cared for a beloved friend and brother and are urging people to put on their running shoes and take part in the event.

UK sees a fall in maternal deaths

Maternal deaths in the UK have dropped from 11 per 100,000 women giving birth in 2006–08 to 10 per 100,000 women giving birth in 2010–12, according to a national report from a team of academics, clinicians and charity representatives called MBRRACE-UK which is led from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford.

34 is the UK’s ‘favourite age’ says AA

Most people have a particular time in their life that they look back on fondly. New research from AA Life Insurance reveals that the UK’s favourite age is 34 – but not for the reasons you might expect.

Post Christmas pick me up

When the buzz of New Year fades away it’s understandable that many people feel a little down in the dumps, but if you’re one of the estimated half a million people in the UK thought to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder there can be more to your mood than just missing the laughter and lights of Christmas.