Health & Beauty

Exeter researchers are seeking local volunteers to take part in the world’s most detailed study into the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Deep and Frequent Phenotyping (DFP) study aims to tackle the challenge of diagnosing and tracking Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages – often decades before symptoms start to show.

DFP will recruit 250 participants from across the UK who are over 60 and in good health, but with a family history of dementia. Volunteers will undergo a range of existing and new tests over a year-long period, including brain scans,...

Elite runners need a specific combination of physiological abilities to have any chance of running a sub-two-hour marathon, new research shows .

The study is based on detailed testing of athletes who took part in Nike's Breaking2 project – an ambitious bid to break the two-hour barrier.

Professor Andrew Jones , of the University of Exeter, said the findings reveal that elite marathon runners must have a "perfect balance" of VO2 max (rate of oxygen uptake), efficiency of movement and a high "lactate turn point" (above which the body experiences more fatigue).

The...

Weighted blankets are a special kinds blanket that help in relieving stress, anxiety and insomnia. They have been used already for some time to provide deep pressure therapy for people with autism, insomnia and other disorders. They prove to be effective in improving sleep and reduce restlessness.

Weighted blankets work by using the technique of deep touch pressure therapy: the pressure exercised by those blankets on your body feels like a hug. This is stimulating the brain to release the happy chemical "serotonin". This chemical soothes your body and makes you feel relaxed and...

Winter months are always challenging when it comes to exercising and keeping fit. Due to the cold, most people will want to spend their day between blankets while others find warm clothes to stay warm and watch their favorite movies or play video games. Exercising in winter is also challenging due to the shortened day time, and people have many things to do. Exercising is very important regardless of the person doing it and the weather. How can one exercise in winter?

There are several ways to participate in physical activities and stay in shape during the cold months. Here are...