The disparity in eyesight has nothing to do with one's astrological sign or luck, said study co-author Michael Belkin of Tel Aviv University's Goldschleger Eye Research Institute.
"It is probably a long-term effect of early-life exposure to natural light that increases the chances of a child becoming shortsighted."
The human eyeball, he said, naturally lengthens when exposed to prolonged illumination. Nearsighted eyes are longer than normal. The actual biological mechanism for why summer babies are myopic isn't known, but researchers believe it involves melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland and more commonly associated with skin pigmentation.
"We know that sunlight affects the pineal gland, and we have indications that melatonin, through other compounds, is involved in regulating eye length," Belkin said. "More sun equals less melatonin, which equals a longer eye, which is shortsighted."
MEDTRONICA
Children with diabetes
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
The name says it all: A Web site aimed at children with diabetes and, more specifically, their parents. Lots of information on disease basics and related social and family issues.
GET ME THAT. STAT!
Restless legs syndrome is a surprisingly common problem in children 8 years of age and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to a new report from an international team of researchers.
It affects almost 2% of children ages 8 to 17, with a significant proportion experiencing moderate to severe symptoms, including sleep disturbance and negative moods.
The first amputation carried out under anesthetic was performed in 1846 at Massachusetts General Hospital by Dr. George Haywood, assisted by Andrew Morton and his new invention - the ether inhaler.
The patient was 21-year-old Alice Mohan, who had part of her right leg removed. When Mohan regained consciousness, Haywood ecstatically greeted her by picking up the severed leg from a bucket and waving it triumphantly.
"It's all done, Alice," he reportedly cried.
Alice's reply was not recorded.
PHOBIA OF THE WEEK
Papaphobia - fear of the pope
BEST MEDICINE
Patient: "I'm a little nervous, Doctor. This is my first operation."
Doctor: "Mine, too."
OBSERVATION
A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.
- Anonymous
CURTAIN CALLS
Walter Hunt invented the safety pin in 1849, but thought little of the invention and sold the patent for a mere $400. A decade later, while trying to invent a new kind of pin, he accidentally stuck himself.
The puncture wound became infected and Hunt died of gangrene at the age of 63.
COME ON, GET MAD
Go ahead and yell, scream and get ticked off. According to a study in biological psychiatry, people who respond to stressful situations with anger are less likely to have high blood pressure and high secretion of cortisol (a hormone related to stress) than people who display fear. Study participants were asked to perform difficult math problems. Those who got mad had lower cortisol levels and lower blood pressure. It seems anger is associated with feeling in control.
HOT FLASHES AND BLOOD PRESSURE
Hot and bothered by your own personal heat waves? Menopausal hot flashes may be to blame, but there also could be another reason: high blood pressure. Women who suffer from hot flashes are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than those who don't, reports a study of 154 women in the journal Menopause. Get your blood pressure checked, and if it's high, talk to your doctor about a healthy eating plan, exercise, and possibly medication.
- Compiled by R.J. Ignelzi
