The IAA One Minute Blog

Scientists have found that the brains of humans and other mammals have a system for choosing which life experiences are important enough to be cemented into long-term memory, and which will be allowed to fade away.

Choosing Memories

Experiments in mice revealed that during waking hours, cells in the brain’s hippocampus spark in a specific pattern called “sharp-wave ripples” which tag important experiences for movement into long-term memory storage during sleep.

Researchers put mice through a maze that had a sugary reward at the end for those who were able to reach it. The team then monitored the activity of nerve cells through electrodes implanted in the rodent brains that fed data into computer programs.

They observed that as the mice paused to eat the treat, their brains sparked sharp-wave ripples that were repeated as many as 20 times. The day-time pattern of sharp-wave ripples was replayed during the night, a process that moved the experience into long-term memory storage.

It is during sleep when experiences from working hours deemed to be important are converted into enduring memories.

Events that were followed by very few or no sharp-wave ripples failed to form lasting memories, researchers noted.

The study was published in “Science.”

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Researchers say they have identified a gene mutation that causes the skin disease psoriasis.

Gene Mutation Discovery

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes red, scaly, itchy patches on the skin.

Researchers used a mouse model to identify a mutation in a gene known as IKBKB that causes a group of immune cells, called regulating T-cells, to misfire.

These cells are normally gatekeepers of the immune system; however the mutation causes them to contribute to inflammation.

What is Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. Common signs of psoriasis include:

• A patchy rash that varies widely in how it looks from person to person
• Cyclic rashes that flare for a few weeks or months and then subside
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
• Itching, burning or soreness
• Rashes that vary in color
• Small scaling spots

Psoriasis is a chronic condition with no cure. Treatments are available to help manage symptoms.

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Petting, walking and playing with a dog decreases stress and increases the power of brian waves associated with relaxation, a new study suggests.

Caring for Animals

To better gauge how animal-related activities influence mood, investigators recruited 30 adult participants in their 20s to 40s, to engage in eight activities with a four-year old female poodle.

Animal-assisted activities with the dog consisted of meeting, playing, feeding, massaging, grooming, photographs, hugging, and walking.

Participants wore electroencephalography electrodes to record electrical activity from the brain during interactions with the dog. They also recorded their subjective emotional state immediately after each activity. All the activities were completed in 60 minutes.

Participants reported feeling much less fatigued, depressed, and stressed after all dog-related activities.

Researchers found that participants’ alpha brain waves, which indicate stability and relaxation, became stronger when they played with the dog and when they took her for a walk.

Beta brain waves, which are associated with attention and concentration, became stronger when participants played with the poodle, brushed it, or gave the dog a gentle massage.

The study was published in PLOS One online.

Pets and Your Health

Being a pet owner does provide benefits to your health: 

• Help manage depression by giving companionship
• Increased opportunities to exercise, get outside and socialize
• Regular walking and playing with pets decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels

Most households in the United States have at least one pet.

What IAA has to Say

 Insurance Administrator of America knows that dogs are man’s best friend! IAA wants you and your furry pals to have healthy lives together.

Handling certain foods like limes and then going into the sun, may cause an itchy rash or sunburn on areas of the body that the citrus juice has touched.

Photocontact Dermatitis

The condition is called photocontact dermatitis and it can be caused by anything that makes skin more sensitive to the sun. It is sometimes called “margarita rash” because people may get it after juicing limes for margaritas then sitting outside.

Photocontact dermatitis can be distinguished from other skin conditions because there is often a pattern from where food or plant touched a body.

Reactions often show up hours to days after exposure. A rash may disappear quickly in some cases but can linger in others.

The easiest way to prevent photocontact dermatitis is to wash your hands thoroughly.

To treat a rash or burn, apply a cool compress or mild topical steroid.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America is here to keep you up to date in the world of health. Remember, with IAA one call does it all.

Researchers linked diets high in ultraprocessed foods to an increased risk of 32 separate illnesses.

Ultraprocessed Foods and Illness

After working through a review of 45 meta-analyses, researchers said that ultraprocessed foods are strongly linked to risk with:

• Cancer
• Early death
• Heart disease
• Mental health disorders
• Overweight and obesity
• Type 2 diabetes

According to researchers, there was a 50 percent increased risk of heart-related death, a 48 to 53 percent risk of anxiety and common mental health disorders, and a 12 percent risk of type 2 diabetes.

The results showed that the more of these foods people eat, the higher the overall health risk.

The findings were published in “The BMJ” journal.

Well Rounded Plates

Ultraprocessed foods now account for up to 58 percent of total daily energy intake in some high-income countries.

Build a healthy and balanced diet:

1. Make most of your meal vegetables and fruits: Aim for color and variety.
2. Go for whole grains: Whole grains have a milder effect on blood sugar and insulin.
3. Protein power: Fish, poultry, beans, and nuts are all healthy proteins.
4. Healthy plant oils (in moderation): Choose healthy vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated oils.
5. Drink water, coffee, or tea: Skip sugary drinks

It is also important to stay active to help with weight control.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants you to keep your plate looking healthy! IAA knows you can make it happen.