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Influenza, commonly known as the flu, has distinct transmission patterns around the world. In temperate regions, influenza’s occurrence peaks during the winter season, while in some tropical regions, the disease’s occurrence tends to correspond with the rainy season. This season, the Southern United States is being hit the hardest by the flu. Have you gotten YOUR flu shot yet?

Possible explanations for the seasonality of the flu have been investigated, such as the return of kids to school, people spending more time indoors in the winter, and lower light levels that affect the immune system, but there is no agreement on them.
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When we buy someone a present, most of us try to get inside mind of the recipient, but thoughtful gifts–where you try to give someone what they want the most–are NOT the best bet. The giving of a thoughtful gift benefits the giver more than the person who receives it.

In the December 4th edition of the Wall Street Journal, Sumathi Reddy quotes behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley as saying, "It turns out it’s not the thought that counts, it’s the gift that counts."

So what DOES work best? Spending a lot of money isn’t important, thank goodness. It turns out that the gifts people like the most are things they have explicitly requested–so ask all your friends to MAKE A LIST! read more

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Did you know that Viagra was first developed as a drug for heart disease, before it became a drug for erectile dysfunction? Or that Rogaine, which is now a baldness treatment, was originally used to treat high blood pressure?

One of the main expenses drug companies have when it comes to developing new medicines is testing these drugs, but if they can find new uses for drugs that have ALREADY been tested, the process will be much quicker (and more profitable).
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Christmas is a feeling, more than anything. Whether or not we celebrate the date of Jesus’ birth in the right month (we don’t) or if the Bible describes the scene correctly (most theologians say it doesn’t), we want to feel happy and in a giving mood at this time of year.

Christmas decorations and lights help with this–they’re like a "switch" that turns on all the good feelings we’ve had at Christmases past. I have friends who create a beautifully decorated tree every year, but I’m a "Grinch" who doesn’t even put one up anymore.
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