Harrison Ford is known to suffer from OCD

According to a study at New York University, OCD could be a physical problem rather than a psychological issue.

Celebrities like David Beckham, Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder are all known to suffer from OCD, as well as 3% of the population of the United States.

But is this purely a psychological problem. In the study at New York University, it is believed that in some cases of OCD the body’s attack on the bugs that cause strep throat goes wrong and instead, the antibodies made to attack the bacteria also focus on the brain and cause changes in behavior.

Ashley Fulwood, of charity OCD-UK, told the Daily Mail: “There are a whole host of theories. Is it biological or is it lack of serotonin in the brain, or is it psychological, learned behaviour? The strep throat theory is another one. We need to research the causes to find better treatments.”

As a matter of fact 1 million Russians die every year from alcohol and tobacco abuse, and are now seeing their population shrink due to the abuse. Russia has 12 million less people than it did 15 years ago. It’s not surprising that Russian men are only living to an average of 60 years old.

The Russian government is hesitant to impose taxes, which could curtail the problem, because they fear unrest and a society intoxicated is easier to control. However, TV spots on the danger of drinking have begun in Russia, but it is not believed to be good enough to stop the problem. See more on the problem in a video below from Fox News.

Most people who practice Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, do the following: Alternative medical systems such as homeopathic medicine, meditation, prayer, biofeedback and hypnosis. Some use herbs, supplements and aromatherapy, or even acupuncture and chiropractic care.

What many people don’t know however is that alternative medicine can have side effects like traditional medicine. Peppermint oil is taken to relieve abdominal cramps, but a side effect of peppermint is acid reflux.

And now traditional medicine is embracing alternative medicine because of how it is used to combat stress. Irritable bowel syndrome and high blood pressure are caused by stress. Anything that can lower stress levels is good for the body and cheaper in the long run if treated now.

In a video he has posted to his website, Ferguson shows a video of a nice blue sky when suddenly something “Black, long skinny things just appear and then disappear.”

Ferguson and others claim the area is a hotspot for UFO’s. The area is attracting attention from all over and officials hope tourists will line up to get a glimpse of something otherwordly.

The footage of the UFO’s can be found on his website UFO Territory.

The Green Restaurant Association announced yesterday that 110 of the country’s most well known institutions have pledged to become Certified Green Restaurants. Why is this important? Restaurant Associates, who provide dining in most major American Landmarks, have moved to the green side by creating a five-year partnership with the Green Restaurant Association to green the operations of all of its current and future locations.

To get green certification, the following have to take place:
1. Have Full-Scale Recycling Program
2. Be free of polystyrene-foam
3. Meet the minimum points in 6 environmental categories
4. Earn at least 100 Points within the Certification guidelines
5. Institute an annual environmental education program for staff
6. Earn 140 total points by the end of the fifth year of Certification

Some institutions with dining going green include American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, and even the United States House of Representatives.

“The use of sunbeds is carcinogenic to humans. It causes melanoma of the skin, and melanoma of the eye,” said Vincent Cogliano, an IARC researcher who led the new assessment.

75% Increase of Cancer Before the Age of 30

According to British medical journal, The Lancet Oncology, the most lethal form of cancer, melanoma, increases by 75 percent before the age of 30 when using tanning devices.

Doctors from around the world have called for tighter regulations for the multi-billion dollar tanning industry.

“We welcome the recognition that sunbeds are carcinogenic,” said Nina Goad, spokeswoman for the British Association of Dermatologists.

“It is high time that steps were taken to regulate the industry, to prevent children using sunbeds, and to ensure that sunbeds are subject to health warnings like other known carcinogens.”

“We have been trying for a long time to call the attention of the government to the potential risks,” said George Reuter, head of Frances National Union of Dermatologists.

An industry lobby group called The sunbed association disputed the IARC’s reclassification of tanning devices as carcinogen to humans.

“The relationship between UV exposure and an increased risk of developing skin cancer is only likely to arise where over-exposure — i.e. burning — has taken place,” it said in a statement.

The Windmill Generator (right) won the 2009 Teacher’s Choice Award for Family. An LED mounted to the windmill generator glows as it’s powered by the wind.

Benlysta has finished a Phase 3 trial in which 57.6 percent of patients on the higher dose of Benlysta and 51.7 percent of those on a lower dose had a meaningful improvement in their symptoms after one year. That compared with 43.6 percent of those taking a placebo.

That’s good new for the 1.5 million Americans suffering from some sort of Lupus, which can cause rashes, arthritis, mouth sores, kidney damage and other problems.

Steroids is the most common treatment for Lupus but steroids can cause severe weight gain, acne and the weakening of bones, among other side effects. With the new Lupus drug, steroid use was able to be reduced. Which will be attractive to doctors.

According to the company, Benlysta, which is given by infusion once every four weeks, inhibits the action of a protein in the body called B-lymphocyte stimulator, which helps B cells in the blood respond to infections. The company said high levels of the protein might spur the immune system to attach the body’s own tissues.

In November the company release the second part of the results of the Phase III study. If that is successful, the companies will apply for regulatory approval in the first half of next year.