Hassel Free Living

Posts Tagged ‘Research’

This 17 minute video features the rich and varied life available for students at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Included in the video are: Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, UA Mall, Bio 5 Research Institute, Tricats, Mt. Lemmon, Blue Chip Leadership program, Campus Recreation, Honors Program, Sustainability Fair, Innovation Day, campus computer labs, ASUA, McKale Center Zona Zoo, Engineering Wind Tunnel, Red Ink Magazine, area shops and restaurants, Phoenix Mars Mission, Architecture Studio http://admissions.arizona.edu

To download a high quality version, visit our Student Life section on the UA’s iTunes U site.

Duration : 0:17:7

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Ten years ago, Gary A. was a successful realtor with a large network of contacts. Life was uneventful until his boss noticed that Gary was slurring his words. Unaware of the problem, Gary assured him that alcohol was not a factor, and went for a checkup.

He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or MS, a neurological disease that Gary had never heard of. Gary faced MS with the determination to achieve the best quality of life possible, and he encourages others to do the same.

When he heard that Kessler Foundation Research Center was conducting clinical studies aimed at improving function in people with MS, he volunteered to participate. In the Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Laboratory, researchers were testing memory retraining strategies that that help people remember. More than 100 people have done the training, reported lab director Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, which has helped them in everyday activities like work and shopping. Its exciting to see an individual benefit, to witness the change in a persons outlook, she acknowledged, but our long-term objective is to develop rehabilitation strategies that improve quality of life for the larger population of people with MS.

Other studies measure improvement in brain function using functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI. This technology allows us to make a movie of the brain at work. We can see how the brain with MS behaves while performing a task, Dr. Chiaravalloti said. Comparing brains with and without MS helps researchers understand to effects of the disease and devise better rehabilitation strategies to help patients think, learn and remember. Gary participated in another study that uses virtual reality to help people improve their driving skills. Driving is essential for Gary, whos back at work in real estate, where he puts his knowledge and experience to use working with clients who have disabilities.

Today, Garys growing network includes people with all types of MS and all types of disabilities. Theres no doom and gloom at the monthly meetings of Garys support group, which feature invited speakers who help people cope with medical care, finances, insurance, transportation, employment, and other issues. Gary recalls how hard it was to face MS initially. I was very negative, he said. Participating in clinical studies helped me put my disability in perspective. Now, I’m much more open-minded. Ive learned better ways to overcome obstacles.

For more information about Kessler Foundation, go to http://www.KesslerFoundation.org

Duration : 0:1:57

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Join Seth and Dr. Laurie as they share research, tips and patient stories to help improve your quality of life with arthritis.

Join the fight against arthritis: http://CreakyJoints.org

Duration : 0:10:21

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Join Seth and Dr. Laurie as they share research, tips and patient stories to help improve your quality of life with arthritis.

Join the fight against arthritis: http://CreakyJoints.org

Duration : 0:10:11

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Burlington, VT Named #1 On SELF Magazine’s 10th Annual Survey America’s Healthiest Places for Women

New York, NY – October 20, 2009 – SELF, the national womens well-being magazine with a readership of 6.1 million, announces Burlington, Vermont as the nations healthiest city in its 10th annual Healthiest Places for Women survey (November 2009 issue). Analyzing 100 U.S. metropolitan areas, this examination is the most comprehensive of its kind. Using a broad scope of research criteria, SELF evaluated more than 8,000 bits of data to determine each citys level of healthy living.

SELF polled a panel of experts to find out which factors most affect a womans ability to live her healthiest. Then compiled a list of 50 criteria, including rates of diseases such as cancer and depression; health care factors such as: the number of doctors per capita and the percentage of population with health insurance; environmental and community measures such as: air quality, crime rates and unemployment statistics; and habits such as exercise, diet and smoking.

SELF Magazines Healthiest Places for Women began 10 years ago to inspire women to get more active in their communities. We believe that little tweaks in your normal routine can make a big difference, says Sara Austin, news features director. Regardless of where your city ranks on the list, SELF and Self.coms experts can provide simple tools to assist you with fitness, health, nutrition and your overall sense of wellbeing.

Burlington beat out the 2008 winner, Bethesda, MD—now holding 2nd place—because of the citys low rates of diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, smoking, cervical and ovarian cancer deaths. Residents maintain a fit lifestyle by walking to work and frequently exercising. The city also offers 40% more ob/gyns than the lists average. Additionally, there are six times as many food co-ops in Burlington, with farmers markets now taking food stamps to increase the opportunity to eat right.

Each year, SELF adds new criteria to the study to address climatic and behavioral changes. In 2009, quality of sleep is a new category. Women often underestimate how much skipping out on sleep can damage our health, Austin states. In the worst sleeping area, Charleston, WV, the average woman has insomnia three or four nights per week. A unique sidebar on each page gives get-fit tips from a woman living in an unhealthy city, emphasizing SELFs message that women can be healthy anywhere.

Top five Best Places for Women (2009):
1. Burlington, VT
2. Bethesda, MD
3. Portland, ME
4. Cambridge, MA
5. San Francisco, CA

Unhealthiest Places for Women (2009):
1. Tulsa, OK
2. Detroit, MI
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Indianapolis, IN
5. Toledo, OH

After many years at the bottom of the list, Detroit, MI has moved up a slot, replaced by Tulsa, OK. Other cities with areas to improve include Miami, FL (exercises least); Daytona Beach, FL (most diabetes); Los Angeles, CA (dirtiest air); Philadelphia, PA (dirtiest water); Memphis, TN (most STDs); Anchorage, AK (most violent crime) and Jacksonville, FL (most smoking and drinking).

Additional results in SELFs new rankings:
• Exercises most: Madison, WI
• Fewest health clubs: El Paso, TX
• Most fast food outlets: Nassau-Suffolk counties, NY
• Cleanest water: Raleigh, NC
• Most allergies and asthma: San Francisco, CA
• Most toxic sites: Riverside, CA
• Least unemployment: Billings, MT
• Most unemployment: Detroit, MI
• Longest commute: New York, NY
• Fewest STDs: Rockingham County, NH
• Fewest Pap smears: Las Vegas, NV

The November issue of SELF magazine hits newsstands on October 20, 2009. Log on to Self.com for the complete list, feedback from women in the bottom-ranked cities, tips to live like a local and further details about each city.

SELF consulted the following sources for the feature: American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Claritas (demographic information firm), Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, National Center for Health Statistics, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Green Building Council.

Duration : 0:7:28

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