Article of the Day

Cortisol (Wed, 07 Jan 2009)
Often referred to as the "stress hormone" because of its involvement in the body's stress response, cortisol is the principal steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and can act as an immunosuppressant. Hydrocortisone, or synthetic cortisol, is used to treat a number of conditions, including inflammation, allergies, collagen diseases, and adrenocortical insufficiency. Why does the body's cortisol level fluctuate throughout the day?

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In the News

Diet Linked to Survival of Breast Cancer Patients (Wed, 07 Jan 2009)
Women with early-stage breast cancer may improve their overall chances for survival by following a "prudent" diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. While this diet does not appear to reduce the risk of death from breast cancer specifically, researchers found that patients who followed such a diet were less likely to die from other causes during an 8-year study period. Women with the most "Western" eating habits, who consumed a diet rich in red and processed meats, snack foods, high-fat dairy, and refined grains, had a 53% higher risk of death overall than those with the lowest intakes of those foods.

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This Day in History

Leaning Tower of Pisa Begins Decade-Long Closure (1990) (Wed, 07 Jan 2009)
The Leaning Tower is the freestanding bell tower of a cathedral in Pisa, Italy. Though designed to stand upright, the tower began leaning to the southeast soon after construction began in 1173. In 1964, Italy's government enlisted the aid of a multinational task force to prevent the tower from toppling. After more than 20 years of work, the tower was closed to the public in 1990. It underwent another decade of stabilization efforts before being reopened in 2001. What first caused it to lean?

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