The Best (and Worst) Positions for Sleeping

For something so simple (even babies do it), sleep isn’t such an easy thing. Both too little and too much time dozing has been linked to a host of health problems, from obesity and heart disease to dementia and diabetes. And sleep position can play a role in snoring, heartburn, and even wrinkles! Read on to see if you should switch it up in bed (remember, we’re talking sleep here).

     Back Sleepers

Pros: Many doctors agree that back is best. Snoozing in savasanapose is a boon for spine and neck health, because the back is straight and not forced into any contortions. Plus back sleeping helps themattress do its job of supporting the spine. In a perfect (and kind of uncomfy) world, everyone would sleep on their backs without a pillow, as this position leaves the neck in a neutral position. Using too many pillows, however, can make breathing more difficult.

Back sleeping is also a winner for the more cosmetically inclined. Spending all night with the face out in the air—and not smooshed up against a pillow—leads to fewer facial wrinkles  .

Cons: Instances of snoring and sleep apnea are much more frequent when a person is sleeping in the supine position. In fact, back sleeping is so closely linked to sleep apnea that doctors prescribe side sleeping as a treatment for the condition   . When we sleep on our backs, gravity forces the base of the tongue to collapse into the airway, which obstructs breathing and creates oh-so-pleasant snoring noises that keeps the neighbors up at night.

It’s also worth noting that a supported spine doesn’t always necessarily mean a good night’s sleep. A study comparing the sleep habits of good sleepers and poor sleepers noted the people with worse-quality sleep spent more time on their backs than the good sleepers  .

    Side Sleepers

Pros: Side sleepers, unite! Whether they’re curling up in the cozy fetal position or lying straight on one side, the vast majority of people report sleeping on their sides (although since everyone is unconscious during sleep, this information can never be entirely accurate). Doctors encourage sleeping on the left side during pregnancy because it improves circulation to the heart, whichbenefits both mom and baby. Side sleeping is also a pregnancy winner because sleeping on the back puts pressure on the lower back (which can lead to fainting) and stomach-sleeping is impossible for obvious reasons  . For those not expecting, sleeping on the left side can also ease heartburn and acid reflux, making it easier for people with these conditions to doze off.

Cons: At the same time, sleeping on the left side can put pressure on the stomach and lungs (alternating sides often can help prevent organ strain). And as almost all side-sleepers know well, this position can result in the dreaded squished-arm-numbness. Snuggling into bed with the arm behind the head is a common sleep position, but it may adversely affect muscles and nerves. Resting the head (or the whole body) on a single arm can restrict blood flow and press down on the nerves, which results in “rubber arm” or painful pins and needles. In this position, the shoulder supports a lot of the body’s weight, which can constrict the neck and shoulder muscles  .

  Stomach Sleepers

Pros: Stomach sleeping eases snoring and some cases of sleep apnea, but that’s pretty much the only good thing about going belly-down at night.

Cons: Resting on the tummy is widely regarded as the worst sleeping position. It flattens the natural curve of the spine, which can lead to lower back pain. Sleeping all night with the head turned to one side also strains the neck. If this is the preferred position, try using pillows to gradually train the body to sleep on one side. Lower back twinges? Try sticking a pillow under the hips and lower abdomen to give the bottom of the spine a boost.

The Takeaway

Regardless of health benefits, people sleep in the position they find comfiest. Experimenting with different sleep positions won’t do any harm, so feel free to try each position for a few nights and see which is the best fit. Whether it’s back, side, or stomach, people tend to wake up in the position that their bodies naturally snooze in. Unless a doctor specifically recommends switching, it’s probably best to keep doing what feels right.

Exmor is the name of a technology SONY implemented on some of their CMOS image sensors. It performs on-chip analogue/digital signal conversion and two-step noise reduction in parallel on each column of the CMOS sensor.

Exmor R is a back-illuminated version of SONY's CMOS image sensor. Exmor R usage is limited to smaller sensors for camcorders, compact cameras and mobile phones. It was announced by SONY on 11 June 2008 and was the world's first mass-produced implementation of the back-illuminated sensor technology SONY claims that Exmor R is approximately twice as sensitive as a normal front illuminated sensor. This active pixel sensor is found in several SONY mobile phones and cameras as well as Apple's iPhone 4S and 5. The Exmor R sensor allows the camera of the smartphone to capture high definition movies and stills in low lit areas.

Variety of high end smartphone manufacturers uses SONY’s Exmor imaging Sensors. This includes the latest IPhone 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S6 for a better picture quality.

Image source: image.google.com

Article source: wikipedia.com

How to Carry a Heavy Bag Without Wrecking Yourself

The best bag is an empty bag — perhaps something that looks sharp slouched off the shoulder or slung low by the hip. But more often than not, our bags are loaded with all sorts of junk that make them heavy pains in the neck (and back). With the back to school season upon us, kids aren’t the only ones having to haul huge backpacks around. Here’s how to carry a heavy bag (from messenger bags to totes to double-strappers) without needing a trip to the physical therapist (or worse).

Photo by Lisa Goulet

CARRY THAT WEIGHT — THE NEED-TO-KNOW 
Bags have been a huge boon since very early in human history — ancient texts and drawings show men in particular carrying trinkets around in small bags. Just like us, hunter-gatherers used bags to schlep their stuff (usually wood or food).

More modern packs were used starting in the early 20th century, but they were pretty uncomfortable to wear and heavy. It wasn’t until the 1950s, when avid hiker Dick Kelty developed a lightweight but sturdy bag meant for civilian use, that they became common throughout society. Since then, bags of all shapes and sizes have become a staple of everyday life with ergonomic designs and fancy straps and doodads to make them “easier” on our backs. One 2001 study estimated 40 million American children carried backpacks to school. Smaller bags are just as ubiquitous for young professionals who might need to carry essentials to work like a laptop (guilty), gym clothes (guilty), notebooks (guilty), and more. That extra weight can mess with posture and cause intense pain — especially when taken for long hauls.

If we can’t avoid the heavy stuff, what’s the best way to carry our poor, over-stuffed bags with ease?

     Take a Load Off — Your Action Plan

The bad news is that the best way to carry a heavy bag is to not carry a heavy bag. Lighter loads put less stress on the carrier and minimize all sorts of problems like changes in posture to the cranio-vertebral angle (neck) and spinal lordosis angle (small of the back)  . And it’s not just kids: Adults are just as susceptible to back problems (including scoliosis and kyphosis) from carrying heavy loads, with many of those problems stemming from back injuries suffered at an earlier age   .

Even though young ‘uns are more susceptible to bag-induced pain, there are some simple tips to carry a heavy load with (relative) ease:

• Only carry 15 percent of bodyweight (at most). When carrying a heavy bag, try to keep the load capped at 15 percent of the carrier’s total bodyweight, with a recommended limit of 10 percent   . So, for a person weighing 145 pounds, aim for a bag weighing around 21 pounds, at most. Anything heavier significantly alters posture and can lead to longer term spinal problems.
• Place heavier objects on the bottom. Neck straining? Try keeping most of the load low in the bag. One study found that low load placement caused fewer changes in posture and spinal curvature. It also made carrying the bag (relatively) easier for middle-school aged children  . Taking breaks (where possible) will also reduce strain. If heavy loads are unavoidable, aim to strengthen core and back muscles to help shoulder the load.This will help keep the spine from twisting and promote better posture.
• Use two straps. One study found that the neck, not the back, was the weak point for carrying loads. To help, try using a bag that has two straps instead of one to help correct posture and more evenly distribute weight  . The same study found that women were more prone to pain as were people who spent a large amount of time sitting. If one-strapping is the only option, try to periodically swap sides.
• Even everything out. When packing a bag, try to distribute the weight evenly to avoid postural stress. One study found that an evenly weighted bag decreased lateral spinal motion when ascending and descending chairs  . Asymmetrical bags (for example, totes and messenger bags) should follow the same principles but weigh no more than 10 percent of the carrier’s weight to reduce injury.
• Keep it all close to the body. Weight is just one of two factors that can lead to injury. “Postural sway” is the amount of torque and tension placed on the spine by a heavy load. Carrying a bag closer to the body will reduce the amount of sway and stress placed on the spinal muscles  . For concerned bag owners, a physical therapist can help find bag with ergonomics best suited to your body type.

What You Never Knew About Smoking Weed (Until Now)

Roll it, pack it, bake it, vape it… when it comes to marijuana, the options are (almost) endless—and so are the myths that surround it. As the conversation of legalization gains momentum, we continue to see the same theories trotted out. Though we’re neither pro nor con when it comes to cannabis, we do want to sort fact from fiction and know all the health effects. With that in mind, we've rounded up eight of the most popular pot myths so we can set the record straight.

1. Myth: Using a vaporizer is the healthiest way to use marijuana.

Fact: Though using a vaporizer doesn’t involve inhaling smoke (yay, no carcinogens!), it’s unclear whether it’s actually better for you than toking a joint. Because a vaporizer involves exposure to little or no less-than-stellar byproducts, some studies suggest it may be a healthier route, and certain health experts agree. However recent research  implies that more scientific study is needed to know for sure whether or not vaping is the best bet.

2. Myth: Edibles give you a stronger high.

Fact: Taking a hit results in getting stoned faster, but those hash brownies and any other form of edible marijuana results in a longer lasting, different kind of high—just not necessarily stronger. When you ingest THC, it’s metabolized by the liver and ends up having a more psychedelic effect than smoked THC. Plus, you’ll feel the effects about an hour or two after you’ve gobbled up those baked goodies, and they can last anywhere from 6 to 10 hours, a much longer lifespan than smoked marijuana. It’s also worth noting that the effects of edibles can depend on whether or not you’ve eaten and what other medications are in your system—just a few things to consider if you’re contemplating a recipe from the Alice B. Toklas cookbook.

3. Myth: Mary Jane makes you dumb and lazy.

Fact: The “stoner kid” character in high school movies or TV shows is stereotypically not the brightest bulb or the most motivated student (though they’re often the funniest). But that’s an unfair generalization, considering each person—and his or her high—is unique and dependent on weed’s potency, frequency of use, and the smoker’s age. Bearing that in mind, there is some research that supports the fact that intelligence may take a hit due to marijuana use. One studyfinds that persistent use—particularly in those who started in their teens—is associated with a decline in IQ. Other research suggests smoking marijuana heavily during teen years could cause changes in brain structure, specifically the parts related to working memory, and could lead to poor performance on memory tasks. The kicker? These effects were seen a few years after the participants had stopped smoking, suggesting there may be long-term risks related to toking up. Yet another study suggests that even light to moderate marijuana use could elicit abnormalities in the brain, particularly in the areas that have to do with emotion and reward processing.

As far as laziness goes, research suggests that lighting up leads to compromised dopamine production, usually triggered when you’ve achieved something. Less of this feel-good chemical means less achievement-based happiness, which could bring out a slacker attitude. So sorry, guys and gals. There may be a (scientifically-supported) kernel of truth to this one—though researchers are calling for a more in-depth look into how pot affects the brain.

4. Myth: Pot is safer than alcohol and/or tobacco. 

Fact: Compared to alcohol, marijuana isn’t actually terribly harmful, and smoking it is less risky than smoking tobacco. Plus, there’s no distinct connection between weed and a deadly disease, and it also hasn’t been found to lead to a life-threatening overdose. One thing to note, however: a recent study that focused on fatal car accidents in Colorado (one of the two states in which pot is completely legal) found an increase in incidents involving drivers who tested positive for the drug since medical marijuana was commercialized in 2009. It’s no secret that weed, as with any drug, impairs you, so in that circumstance it can be just as hazardous. Lesson: Don’t toke and drive.

5. Myth: Marijuana is not addictive.

Fact: Though some say it’s rare to be dependent on marijuana, and its dependency rates are lower than those associated withother substances, studies and data do support claims that youcan get hooked on weed. In fact, those trying to drop the habit report withdrawal symptoms (though they’re nowhere near as bad as those associated with harder drugs,like heroin), like anxiety, irritability, and even aggression.

6. Myth: Marijuana can help improve and/or treat certain health issues, such as glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. 

Fact: Bud may, in fact, be beneficial to those who suffer from certain diseases—but there may be a catch in a lot of cases. A synthetic version of THC, which is found in an FDA-approved drug called Marinol, is known to help lessen nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy as well as boost appetite in those living with AIDS.One study in mice also suggests that some of the chemicals found in marijuana can help prevent spinal cord and brain inflammation, which may help treat multiple sclerosis and similar inflammatory diseases. While smoking some weed has been found to lower IOP (intraocular pressure, which is one of the saboteurs behind glaucoma-related nerve damage in the eyes), it only has this beneficial effect for a few hours, which would mean having to smoke the stuff pretty heavily. The problem? Smoking that much MJ would impair you to the point where you wouldn’t even be able to drive. To top it off, smoking also lowers blood pressure, which could inhibit blood flow to your eyes—not a good thing for those with glaucoma.

Though there are medical benefits to toking up, there are also some definite drawbacks (apart from the ones we’ve already listed). If you’re smoking weed, you’re also introducing gunk into yourrespiratory system. Plus, marijuana use been linked to sleep troubles, and recent research suggests reaching for some Mary Jane is related to heart attacks and even death

The bottom line: Sure, weed can help mitigate certain symptoms and offer pain relief, but, as with any drug, it comes with its own set of side effects and possible risks.

7. Myth: Weed is a gateway drug. 

Fact: This is the mother of all Mary Jane myths. And like legalization itself, the debate as to whether or not toking up leads to harder drugs rages on—and the evidence is as hazy as the high. While anti-drug organizations say that people who smoke pot may indeed later turn to more hazardous substances (including nicotine and cocaine), they also acknowledge that’s not always the case. Research showsthat kids who go for ganja are 85 times more likely to try cocaine (though it’s worth noting that this link exists in children who drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes too—just at a lower likelihood). That said, smoking marijuana isn’t necessarily the cause of harder drug use. The possible culprits may have more to do with the desire to pursue mind-altering substances, stress, and economic backgroundthan actually smoking pot.

8. Myth: Marijuana helps you mellow out.

Fact: Despite the fact that the green stuff can help you relax, sometimes it has the exact opposite effect. And there’s actuallyplenty of science to back this up. Depending on the person, puffs can lead to a little paranoia and anxiety.

2011 DUCATI 848 EVO – WORLD 

EXCLUSIVE FIRST TEST

Italian passion for motorsport is synonymous with the stunning performance, soul-stirring sound and seductive, liquid-red styling inherent to a long bloodline of championship-winning Ducati sportbikes. Yesterday’s triumph, however, is just that, and the bigger the trophy, the more dust it tends to attract. Ongoing product evolution is what maintains a competitive edge, and the Bologna boys aim to kill in the hotly contested middleweight supersport category with the new 848 EVO recently rolled out as an early-release 2011 model.

The EVO treatment represents a midlife upgrade for the 848, now entering its fourth year of service. While the list of engine and chassis enhancements can fit on a sticky note, the performance gains are intended to benefit racers and street riders alike. This is an important point, because the 848 EVO replaces the current model and becomes the sole 848 offering for ’11. While periodic updates are to be expected among competition-based machines, the surprise here is that a red 848 EVO carries the same $13,995 MSRP as its predecessor­, while the matte-black version here is $1000 less.

Enhancements to the liquid-cooled, 849cc 90-degree V-Twin include new Marelli throttle bodies with larger elliptical bores feeding revised cylinder heads with straighter intake ports and reshaped combustion chambers. This, along with a new piston-crown profile, has delivered a substantial increase in compression ratio, from 12.0:1 to 13.2:1. Intake-valve lift is up from 11.5 to 13.0mm with 4 degrees more duration. The 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust now uses twin lambda O₂ sensors said to help achieve mandated emissions levels. Ducati claims a 6-hp increase, bringing output to 140 measured at the crank.

The 848 EVO is available in two colors: Ducati red for $13,995 or matte black for $12,995.

We obtained the very first EVO-spec bike to arrive stateside and promptly put it through our full street and track test regimen. Strapped toCW’s Dynojet dyno, the EVO produced 118.5 rear-wheel hp, a mere 1.5-pony increase over the 848 we tested this past year. While engine performance fell short of what we had anticipated, the EVO still outmuscles its closest middleweight-class rivals by nearly 10 peak horsepower. The tuning alteration has shifted peak output closer to the 11,000-rpm rev limiter while sacrificing a couple of ft.-lb. of torque throughout the middle of the rev range.

Torque builds quickly off idle before easing into a soft spot around 5000 rpm. While the mid-rpm lull is perceptible even at slight throttle settings, fueling remains good, allowing the bike to cruise dead-steady in the lull zone at freeway speeds. The sweet spot for smooth running spans from 4000 to 5000 rpm, yielding an indicated 70 to 87 mph in top gear with only modest engine vibration seeping through the handgrips. Strong power pulses quake the footpegs and frame while chugging along at basement revs or spinning the engine in its upper rpm range. There is little driveline lash, even when casually lugging along at 3500 rpm in a tall gear.

Leaving stops fluidly requires a bit of extra throttle and clutch slip to avoid a lean stumble around 2500 rpm. We have experienced similar issues with other recent Ducati models running EPA-certified fuel mapping. The stock 848 fueling is decent down low but could use some massaging.The meat of the engine’s power comes online just beyond 7000 rpm with a surge of grunt capable of inducing an effortless low-gear power wheelie when the throttle is held fully open. Keeping revs above 7K sees the 848 leaping out of corners with liter-bike tenacity, all while serving up uncanny tractability. The 848 chassis is essentially the same as that of the 1198 Superbike with minor differences in suspension calibration, front-brake rotor diameter and a narrower (5.5-inch) rear rim that’s better suited to the 180/55ZR17 Pirelli radial. Grip and stability at a swift street pace are exceptional, making for one of the more confidence-inspiring bikes you’ll find for backroad burning. Steering is precise and intuitive yet becomes somewhat heavy when working through side-to-side transitions at speeds greater than 75 mph.The street is no place to try to find the limits of a race-bred chassis such as this, so we headed to a track day at Buttonwillow Raceway hosted by Trackdaz.com. There, we could achieve much higher cornering loads and press the bike hard into and out of corners to put the EVO chassis to the test. As previously stated, changes were few, with the addition of Brembo Monobloc front calipers and a non-adjustable steering stabilizer, both of which were lifted from the 1198 parts bin.

The 2011 848 EVO becomes the sole version of the bike for sale in the U.S.

Hard acceleration out of Button-willow’s bumpier corners induced enough headshake to get our attention, yet the bike was also quick to regain its composure. The high level of feedback provided by the Showa fork gave a good sense of front grip, thus freeing attention to be focused more on the happenings out back. A few rear slides had us looking to slow the seemingly quick rebound at the back, but access to the Showa shock’s rebound-damping screw through a small hole in the swingarm proved ridiculously difficult as the hole is not centered over the screw!

The radial-mount calipers work as nicely as they look and proved to be a very good match for the 320mm rotors. The combo offers all the stopping power and consistency we could ask for along with excellent sensitivity through a quality radial-pump Brembo master cylinder with an adjustable lever.

Race-derived instrumentation is a feature-packed visual treat, but the all-LCD display’s bar-graph tachometer can be strangely difficult to read in certain lighting conditions, particularly on a bright day with the readout shadowed. Saving grace is its quartet of shift-indicator lights that illuminate sequentially beginning 800 rpm before redline and flash when the limiter is reached.

Our $13K flat-black budget EVO lists for 2-3 grand more than its middleweight European and Japanese competition—bikes that represent some of the best performance-per-dollar values on the market. In purely clinical terms, what’s offered here is additional power from the Ducati’s displacement advantage and better brakes. Less concrete but still tangible to the sportbike enthusiast are the distinct differences in the sound and riding experience, particularly the taut, racer-like chassis.

Does this Duc’s dark and menacing dress depict the sporting passion and Italian flair that enthusiasts have come to associate with Ducati? Perhaps not, but we like the raw look and generous cost savings it has afforded. And if racing is truly in your blood, think of the 848 EVO as the perfect primer palate for the graphics of your choice.

Here are some pictures to sate your cravings......