Regular Yoga Practices Linked To Decreased Doctor Visits, Study Finds

A recent study indicates that regular engagement in deep relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, may significantly reduce the frequency of clinical visits. Conducted by researchers in the United States, the study examined a cohort of 4,400 patients who received recommendations for relaxation response training from their healthcare providers. This group was compared to a larger control group of 13,000 patients who did not participate in such training.

After one year, results revealed that the first group experienced a 42% reduction in doctor visits, a 44% decrease in laboratory tests, and a 21% decline in medical procedures. In contrast, the utilization of healthcare services among the control group remained largely unchanged.

Lead author Dr. James Stah noted, “Evidence over the last few decades has linked practices like meditation and yoga to beneficial physiological changes in the body, ranging from improved cardiac function to reduced inflammation.” The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.

Modern Lifestyle Not to Blame for Sleep Deprivation

New research suggests that modern life is not a contributing factor to sleep deprivation, revealing that contemporary humans sleep as much as their prehistoric ancestors. The study focused on individuals from three hunting-gathering societies in Africa and South America. Researchers discovered that these groups averaged slightly less than 6.5 hours of sleep per night, while urban dwellers reported an average of seven to eight hours.

The scientists proposed that the sleep duration of hunter-gatherers is more closely related to temperature than the length of daylight hours, noting that they tend to sleep an additional hour in winter compared to summer. The findings indicate that adopting environmental factors, such as temperature, could aid in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders. This research was published in the journal Current Biology.

Study Suggests Regular Sexual Activity Aids in Passing Kidney Stones

A study from Ankara Training and Research Hospital in Turkey suggests that engaging in sexual activity three to four times a week may help men pass kidney stones more effectively. The research involved 75 participants, divided into three groups: one instructed to have regular sex, another receiving tamsulosin—a medication commonly prescribed for enlarged prostates—and a third group receiving standard medical treatment for kidney stones.

After two weeks, 26 out of 31 participants in the sexual activity group successfully passed their kidney stones, compared to only 10 out of 21 in the tamsulosin group and eight out of 23 in the standard treatment group. The average size of the stones passed was measured at 4.7 mm. The study was published in the journal Urology.

Men More Prone to Tinnitus, Research Shows

A new study reveals that men are more likely to experience tinnitus, commonly referred to as ringing in the ears, than women. Tinnitus affects approximately one in five individuals and is associated with age-related hearing loss, ear injuries, and circulatory disorders. Researchers from Auckland University analyzed data from 70,000 participants, finding a higher prevalence of the condition among men.

The study indicated that males aged 14 to 24 are 55% more likely to report tinnitus compared to their female counterparts, with over 14% of men aged 65 and older also affected. Researchers speculate that the higher incidence among men may be linked to their participation in noisier occupations. The findings were published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Study Challenges Link Between Brain Size and Intelligence

A recent study disputes the long-held belief that larger brain size correlates with higher intelligence, particularly in men. Researchers in Austria conducted interviews with 8,000 participants, finding only a minimal relationship between brain size and IQ scores.

Co-researcher Jakob Pietschnig from the University of Vienna stated, “Brain structure and integrity appear to be more critical as a biological foundation of IQ, while brain size serves as one of many compensatory mechanisms for cognitive functions.” This study was published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews.