Winter Babies More Likely To Suffer From Autism

 Babies conceived during December had an 8% greater risk of being detected with autism than babies born in July. This increased to 16% in March

Women who carefully schedule their conceptions so as to avoid being pregnant during the hottest months, now have an additional reason to begin trying for a summer baby.

A study conducted by the University of California has revealed that kids conceived during winter had nearly 16% enhanced risk of autism compared to kids born in July.

A study of the birth records of over 7 million kids born in California in the 1990s & early 2000s revealed a clear association between the month in which a baby is conceived & the risk of that baby later being diagnosed with autism

The risk of conceiving a baby with an autism spectrum disorder increases progressively all through autumn & winter and right up to early spring.

These findings show that environmental factors such as exposure to seasonal allergens, a vitamin D deficiency as well as being exposed to pesticides like the ones used in the house to eliminate insects in warm or rainy months, & those employed in agricultural operations – have a role to play in triggering autism.

For the study, December, January & February were considered as winter months. Each month was then compared to July.

Researchers say that studies of seasonal variations may provide clues regarding the underlying causes of autism.

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DIY Teeth Whitening Treatments Puts Teens’ Dental Health At Risk

Dentists are concerned that children are putting their dental health at risk by trying unsafe do-it-yourself teeth-whitening treatments found online.

Health professionals have said that such teeth whiteners lead to irreversible teeth damage.

Sodium bicarbonate & hydrogen peroxide are usually the ingredients found in these DIY remedies. Baking powder has long been used in teeth cleaning due to its lightly abrasive effect & oxygenation but such substances can be harmful in the hands of kids.

Kids who are mixing together quantities of chemicals & applying them for extended periods are at danger of damaging gums, eroding tooth enamel, & increasing the risk of infection.

Ironically the erosion could expose the yellow-colored dentin that’s located beneath the enamel.

Sensitive dentine could become exposed, gums may become infected, allowing bacteria from infected gums to enter the bloodstream. Swallowing of any bleaching agents may cause stomach problems.

Teeth whitening techniques came under scrutiny when a regular teeth-whitening procedure at a beauty salon in Adelaide left a woman blistered, bruised & unable to clean her teeth for over a month.

The case prompted dental authorities to issue warnings about untrained retailers offering cheap whitening procedures to lure clients.

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£53,000 Bionic Eye Gives The Sightless Vision

A Bionic eye that helps the sightless to see has been given the go-ahead by European regulators and soon British patients can have the electronic implants.

The prosthetic retina was tested on 30 patients – 10 from Britain. The trial results have revealed that it can reliably restore some sight to people who became blind because of a genetic disease.

Argus II, the new technology made by Second Sight, uses a camera mounted on dark glasses to transmit signals to a network of sixty electrodes that are implanted in the retina, which then relays these signals to the optic nerve.

Blind patients who received the artificial retina could see light, color and motion, make out the outlines of things, & even read large alphabets on a computer monitor.

The implants are developed for people having retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative & incurable condition, which affects about 1 in 4000 people. It damages the retina’s light-sensitive rod & cone cells, resulting in impaired sight in poor light, leading to tunnel vision that usually deteriorates into total blindness.

The results show that electronic implants can safely restore worthwhile sight.

The Bionic eye, which carries a price tag of £53,000, is available to private patients.

Recipients also need to be trained on how to use the electronic implant, which costs an additional £11,000.

Second Sight, the maker of Argus II, hopes that the technology soon becomes available on the NHS.

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