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7 ways your smart home can combat stress | Digital Trends

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Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us? Command your worries away: 7 ways your smart home can help fight stress Believe it or not, a little bit of stress is actually a good thing for our brains and bodies. From a neurological and evolutionary point of view, small amounts of short-term stress help us get work done faster, improve our memories, and keep us alert in situations where attention is key. It's when stress becomes prolonged or "stuck" that the six-letter word becomes an infinite nightmare. Chronic stress feels awful, tends to pervade, and not only affects our personal and mental health but the general mood and wellbeing of our friends and family, too. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to deal with unhealthy stress levels, and our smart homes offer plenty of engaging, inspirational, and assertive tools to kick stress out of the driver's seat of our lives. Set the mood with automated blinds and lights...

A single course of antibiotics affects the gut microbiota of infants -- ScienceDaily

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A study recently completed at the University of Helsinki revealed that the fungal microbiota in the gut is more abundant and diverse in children treated with antibiotics compared with the control group even six weeks following the start of the antibiotic course. In light of the findings, a reduction in the number of gut bacteria as a result of antibiotic therapy reduces competition for space and leaves more room for fungi to multiply. "The results of our research strongly indicate that bacteria in the gut regulate the fungal microbiota and keep it under control. When bacteria are disrupted by antibiotics, fungi, Candida in particular, have the chance to reproduce," says PhD student Rebecka Ventin-Holmberg from the University of Helsinki. A new key finding in the study was that the changes in the fungal gut microbiota, together with the bacterial microbiota, be part of the cause of the long-term adverse effects of antibiotics on human health. Long-term changes in infant gut mi...

A friend, not foe: Parasite in gastrointestinal system found to promote health -- ScienceDaily

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The human gut -- or gastrointestinal system -- where food is broken down into nutrients for the body, is an ecosystem that harbours thousands of bacteria species, whose interactions determine its health and susceptibility to diseases. While some microorganisms are harmful, many are beneficial and help keep the human body in good health. It is largely accepted that the more diverse the species of bacteria, the greater capacity the gut has in regulating its health and combating diseases. Higher levels of certain types of bacteria, or parasites, can result in an unhealthy gut, which causes conditions like inflammation disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. However, in a study conducted by researchers from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), a common parasite that inhabits the gastrointestinal tracts of humans, Blastocystis subtype (ST) 4, was found to be associated with benefits for the gut. Led by research fellows Dr...

'Friendly' gut bacteria may eliminate pathogens by competing for energy resources

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Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Learn more share this! 36 14 Share Email May 13, 2022 'Friendly' gut bacteria may eliminate pathogens by competing for energy resources by UC Davis New research from scientists at UC...