We all have our silly personal New Year's Resolutions - lose weight, be nicer, beat kleptomania once and for all - but shouldn't we all resolve to have better sex this year?
Check out these tips and tricks from the Voxant Newsroom and go get it on, people!
- Evan
Journalist and author Alan Weisman has offered a haunting (and hauntingly beautiful) answer to the question "what would the world look like if human beings suddenly disappeared?" This animation shows what will happen to the average American house after 500 years without human occupants.
After seeing the mold problems this house develops, I don't feel so bad about that growing mildew stain in my shower.
- Evan
Ford Model Tara Stiles shows us a unique treatment for the hangover: yoga. I often assume positions when I'm hungover, but it's usually Pray-To-Porcelain followed by Hair of the Dog rather than Cat-Cow followed by Downward Facing Dog.
Now that I think about it, Tara's way might be better.
- Evan
Ever noticed those little pink ribbons? Ever wonder what's up? Well wonder no more - the pink strips of fabric are a symbol to mark national breast cancer awareness month.
Breast cancer is the premiere health concern for most women: it's the most common form of cancer in American women. And although there are far fewer cases in men, male breast cancer does exist.
Breast cancer isn't just an abstract disease for me, I actually lost an aunt to the disease several years ago. My aunt Tia Tete went through ups and downs with the disease and I often lament the fact that I didn't get to spend more time with her. She lived in Portugal so when we got the chance to see her, we didn't usually see her at her worst. With the spry way she disciplined us children, I'd honestly forget sometimes that she was battling breast cancer. But the chemo took a heavy toll on her- by the end she had to wear a wig and she needed a crutch to walk long distances.
I hope that those who are battling breast cancer - or know someone who is - continue to persevere and win the battle against this disease. To those who don't have it, make sure you get checked regularly. Going through our day-to-day routine we often forget just how fragile our bodies are. This month just reminds us all that we need to be alert.
-Ricky
Americans love their dogs. That’s why we see owners walking them down the streets in strollers or running them around specially-built ‘dog parks’. Dogs here get everything – from vegan pet food to days at the doggie spa.
Now pet owners have found another way to bond with their favorite pooch. Doggy yoga allows owners and pets to spend quality time with Rover while expanding their chi. According to this report from Ivanhoe.com, yoga provides a chance for both dog and owner to work on physical and mental well being – the class instructor says there’s not a dog out there that can’t learn from the good vibrations of the class. She may be right, but I think I’m going to wait for the home video version before I take Rover down to the local YMCA.
~Dumont@TheHealthDesk
The HIV/Aids pandemic has held the entire world hostage for nearly three decades. No place on earth has felt the blow from the disease more than the continent of Africa. Out of the known 39.9 million cases, the majority of this number is found in sub-Saharan Africa.
There have been a lot of breakthroughs in the treatment of HIV in recent years. Many of these treatments are proven to slow the affects the disease has on individuals. Unfortunately, the current available treatments for HIV are too expensive for the average person to afford. This means the best treatment for HIV is still knowledge and individuals taking an active approach in stopping the spread of the disease.
In a conference earlier this month South Africa’s leading female political voice stepped forward to call upon her male counterparts to make an effort on their part in curbing the spread of this fatal disease.
~Dumont@TheHealthDesk
Over the past few years a controversy over the causes of Autism has become a hot debate in the public eye. For years the cause of Autism was unknown. However now the belief is vaccines that many children are required to take as infants may be a leading cause of Autism. The controversy led parents across the United States to worry about the safety of their children. Some of those parents with Autistic children are now pressing charges against the federal government for placing their families in danger. As word about this lawsuit grows, more families are stepping forward with complaints. This has the potential to be a monumental case that has the capability to change the entire health care system in the United States, not to mention people’s faith in their government to protect them.
~Dumont@TheHealthDesk
There are an estimated 24 million people in the world currently suffering with Alzheimer's, that number is expected to increase to 81 million by 2040. Currently the United States Federal government spends an estimated $650 million a year for research on Alzheimer's. This is not enough, but it is a start, and every bit helps, as doctors and scientists work to find a cure.
Here are some stories about the advancements doctors have made in Alzheimer's research.
~Dumont@TheHealthDesk
Sadly cancer is something that many of us have dealt with in one form or another over the course of our lives. However, if we work together, we can find a cure to beat this terrible disease. I know that each and everyone one of us has what it takes within ourselves to reach down and give people hope.
Doctors and researchers are making breakthroughs every day. The technology we currently have access to is drastically improving every day and giving patients hope. Cancer awareness has grown exponentially over the past few years. As our awareness continues to grow, we grow closer to finding a cure.
In this playlist there are a few stories of what others have done both in their own personal fights against cancer, and in their efforts to aid friends and even strangers. It does not matter if you are a celebrity, athlete or a high school student everyone has a voice, and every bit helps.
~Dumont@The HealthDesk
Summer officially begins June 21st, and I imagine that many of us planning on some fun in the sun will be looking to lose the spare tire that was acquired during the hibernation months.
Losing weight is an American hobby it seems and more and more of us are worried about staying fit and being healthy. I think it's important to stay fit and healthy but I really wonder about our obsession with fat and weight. Before, losing weight meant eating healthier and exercising. These days losing weight still includes that, but also entails surgery and diet pills. The disastrous effect that an unhealthy obsession with weight-loss and body image can have are painfully obvious in skeletons like Lindsay Lohan or Nicole Richie.
I put together a playlist of recent weight-loss news, including some clips about a new diet pill that the FDA was considering but ultimately rejected because it seemed to cause depression in some patients.
Hmm, I wonder if TrimSpa was having a similar effect on the late Anna Nicole?
- Ricky 
@ the HealthDesk