Could laughter be the best way of improving memory? Older people had better short-term recall after watching comedy

• The stress hormone has a negative impact on memory, researchers found
• When a person laughs, they have lower levels of cortisol in their bodies

From tying knots in handkerchiefs to writing on our hands, we'll try anything to avoid forgetting something important. But a study has found that laughter could be the best way of improving memory.

U.S. researchers say older people are more likely to remember something if they have been laughing. This is because laughter reduces stress levels - and stress can have a negative effect on memory, ABC News reports.

Scientists at Loma Linda University, in California, asked 20 healthy adults to watch an amusing video for 20 minutes.

At the same time, another group were asked to sit calmly without watching a film. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2609427/Could-laughter-best-way-improving-memory-Older-people-better-short-term-recall-watching-comedy.html

Breast Cancer Checker

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in Britain. Survival rates are better than ever, but the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment.

Here is our at-a-glance animated guide to checking your breasts thoroughly.

Current advice is that women should 'get to know their breasts' and find out what's 'normal' for them, rather than checking breasts in a regimented and prescriptive fashion. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/breastchecker.html

Hi-tech plaster could change the lives of Parkinson's patients: Patch can read tremors and administer drugs to treat them

• The patch can be worn discretely on the patient's wrist
• It releases small, regular doses of drugs to control tremors
• This means there are no peaks and troughs in drug levels in the body
• It could also help people with multiple sclerosis and essential tremor

A hi-tech plaster that could revolutionise the lives of Parkinson's disease patients has been developed. The latest nanotechnology has been used to create a small patch that can read tremors associated with the disease and administer the appropriate amount of drugs to treat them.

Thinner than a small coin, it could be worn on the wrist and has potential uses for other motor diseases such as multiple sclerosis and essential tremor.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2605192/Hi-tech-plaster-change-lives-Parkinsons-patients-Patch-read-tremors-administer-drugs-treat-them.html

Want to stay sharp in old age? Look after the grandchildren - but only once a week

• Grandparents benefit from looking after children once a week
• Researchers found it increases mental sharpness, combating Alzheimers
• However if tasked with childcare five days a week it is detrimental

For most parents, having grandma take care of the children once in a while is a godsend.

But it seems she may not be sharing the benefits – at least not if she does it too often. Looking after the children for five days a week or more can make grandmas less mentally sharp, a study claimed yesterday.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2600552/Want-stay-sharp-old-age-Look-grandchildren-week.html

Chin straps to keep your mouth shut. A wristband that gives electric shocks: They BOTH snore, so could this sleep starved couple find a cure?

• Louise Atkinson, 49 and husband John, 50, both snore heavily
• They both try different anti-snoring devices each night for a week

For nearly 20 years, my husband Jonathan and I have happily shared a marital bed — and with the late-night partying and early parenting years behind us, we should be getting the best sleep of our lives.

But we’re not. There’s a new interloper between our crisp cotton sheets — the sonorous rumble and snort of heavy snoring. From both of us.

I’m 49 and Jon, a design consultant, is 50. We’re not overweight, we’re healthy and fit, but the snorts and gasps have become ridiculous. It’s a race to hit the pillow every night, as whoever drops off to sleep first wins — leaving the other with no choice but to lie there and endure the cacophony.

+8

Keeping quiet: Louise and husband John are kept awake at night by the other's snoring

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2600997/Chin-straps-mouth-shut-A-wristband-gives-electric-shocks-They-BOTH-snore-sleep-starved-couple-cure.html