New obesity surgery leaves no scars !

CHICAGO - Doctors are testing a new kind of obesity surgery without any cuts through the abdomen, snaking a tube as thick as a garden hose down the throat to snap staples into the stomach. The experimental, scar-free procedure creates a narrow passage that slows the food as it moves from the upper stomach into the lower stomach, helping patients feel full more quickly and eat less.

Part of a growing trend

The new method is part of a medical movement to perform surgery through body openings such as the nose, mouth and vagina instead of making cuts. The idea is to reduce chances of infection and pain, and speed recovery. With no scars, there are cosmetic advantages, too.

Read the full msn report.

Music as medicine !

A fact which faithfulls have always known to wit that the biblical story of David healing Saul with music is no fiction keeps getting research support by the day. Way back in the 80s I became familiar with a research effort in the former Soviet Union in which music was used to keep hundreds of kids in a swimming pool absolutely quiet for hours.

Now msbn reports that researchers are using tunes to heal in a research effort to explore how melodies can regulate heart, boost hormones and do many other positive things to the patient.

I wish those of us listening are aware of the flip of that coin that bad music can affect us negatively. Read more...