Protect against hypothermia
The Texas Department of State Health Services urges people to take extra precautions against hypothermia and other winter-related dangers.
Hypothermia, the severe prolonged loss of body heat, begins when a person's body temperature falls below 95 degrees.
People most susceptible to hypothermia include those 60 and older, infants and small children, the sick, those taking certain prescription drugs or drinking alcohol, the homeless, auto or boating accident victims and those unable to find temporary shelter in cold weather.
To reduce potential dangers:
Watch for symptoms like confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, a drop in blood pressure, shallow breathing and a pinkish tint to the skin.
Check on elderly or ill people.
Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing, mittens, hat and a face cover.
For more information, call (512) 458-7400.
Komen grant deadline nears
The Lubbock Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has announced the availability of grant funds for fiscal year 2008-2009. Applications for breast cancer and breast health programs from nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and educational institutions in Lubbock and surrounding counties are eligible.
The grant proposal deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday.
For more information, call 698-1900 or 799-1177.
Omega-3 acid: brain food?
LA TIMES - Studies suggest that DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, helps delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Now researchers have come up with a possible explanation.
A team led by Greg Cole, professor of neurology at UCLA's School of Medicine, has concluded that the DHA protection has to do with a brain protein called LR11, which helps destroy the toxic plaques that lead to Alzheimer's. The brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients contain lower-than-normal levels of LR11.
Cole's team added DHA to the diets of rodents who had been altered to develop an Alzheimer's-like disease. The DHA increased brain levels of LR11. The scientists also exposed human brain cells to DHA in Petri dishes and found it increased the amount of the protective protein inside the cells.
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