No link between mobiles and brain cancer

                There is no link between increasing mobile phones use and brain cancer, claims a new study by researchers from University of Sydney. They found no rise in tumours over 30 years in Australia despite widespread use of the devices. There were significant increases in brain cancer incidence only in those aged 70 years or more. But the increase in incidence in this age group began from 1982, before the introduction of mobile phones in 1987 and so could not be explained by it. The most likely explanation of the rise in this older age group was improved diagnosis.

Coffee, wine may be good for your gut bacteria

                Drinking coffee, tea and wine may be associated with a healthier and more diverse community of microbes living in the gut. The opposite is true for dinking sugary beverages and whole milk, as well as for continually eating snacks and a lot of carbohydrates, researchers from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands said. They analysed the microbes inside the guts of more than 1,100 people. “In total we found 60 dietary factors that influence diversity. But there is good correlation between diversity and health – greater diversity is better,” said Alexandra Zhernakova from the University.

Prayer reduces alcohol cravings

                A craving for alcohol could be tempered by the power of prayer. Researchers worked with longstanding members of Alcoholic Anonymous to assess their craving after reading various holy texts. They found that prayer can minimize alcohol cravings by stimulating the parts of the brain responsible for attention and emotion.