Ashley Alexander

So Long, Farewell

March 29, 2012

Wow.  I honestly can’t believe that my time writing for MTSG is over!  These 10 weeks flew by—although I must admit, there were definitely times when I thought it might last forever.  Not to sound like it wasn’t a great experience because it was definitely rewarding.  The rewards just came with challenges! Like many of [...]

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Relieving Stress with the Help of a Four-Legged Friend

March 22, 2012

Anyone who knows me knows that my Newfoundland dog, Moose, plays a leading role in my life.  I’m sure some people think I’m crazy for letting him do things like sleep in bed with me, but Moose is just as much a family member, if not more so, than some of my human relatives.  Not [...]

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Stress: Shrinking Your Brain and Risking Your Health

March 15, 2012

As spring approaches, so does the end of the semester, and my Google calendar is quickly becoming a blur of colored boxes that signify classes, group project meetings, and florist appointments (because for some reason, I thought it was a good idea to plan a wedding while I was earning my MPH).  With a full [...]

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For Better Health, Improving Fitness May Be More Important Than Weight Loss

March 8, 2012

In public health, it’s no secret that chronic diseases are enemy number one these days.  In the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women followed closely behind by cancers, with diabetes also making an appearance in the top ten.  Obesity has been found to be a [...]

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Addicted to Tanning Beds: Reframing Skin Cancer Prevention

March 1, 2012

Earlier this week, fellow MTSG blogger Suzy OGawa discussed ultraviolet (UV) exposure, its relationship with skin cancer, and what is currently being done for prevention and treatment.  As skin cancer rates continue to rise among the younger set, tanning beds have been a hot topic—especially since their link to skin cancer was formally recognized by [...]

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Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones…and So Might Osteoporosis Medication?

February 23, 2012

Yes, you read that right.  Odd as it sounds, new studies are suggesting that long-term use of bisphosphonates, a group of drugs commonly taken to treat osteoporosis, may be causing unusual bone fractures.  Huh? Let’s back up a little.  A few weeks ago, I wrote about a recent study that found high-impact exercise to have [...]

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Physical Pain and the Brain: A Love Story

February 16, 2012

Only a few days past Valentine’s Day and I’m sure some of you are hoping not to hear another word about heart-shaped candy and red roses until next February.  But with all of the talk of love and romance this week, I felt it was timely to share a recent study about a perk of [...]

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The Up(per)s and Downs of the Caffeine Nap

February 9, 2012

Through my years as a student, I’ve often found myself at that point during a late night study session when it’s time to make a crucial decision—to chug a cup of coffee or take a quick nap.  Well, I heard through the grapevine a few years back that it may actually be best to do [...]

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Birth Control for Men: Is the Answer in Ultrasound?

February 2, 2012

Based on a new study published just this week in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, ultrasound therapy may be the future of male birth control.  Researchers found a significant reduction in sperm count when ultrasound treatment was applied to the testes of rats.  The rats in the study underwent two 15-minute ultrasound therapy sessions, occurring two [...]

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Hey, Ladies: Exercise for Bone Strength, Not Just Weight Loss

January 26, 2012

As obesity continues to plague Americans, exercising for weight loss seems to be at the forefront of education, news, and entertainment.  But exercise has benefits far beyond just losing weight, including research supporting its potential to ward off osteoporosis.  A recent study in Sweden confirms that high-impact exercise can improve bone density in younger women, [...]

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Zinc: The Secret to a Shorter and More Bearable Cold?

January 19, 2012

It’s that time of year.  The time when the days are characterized by gray skies, wet slush on the ground, and the sounds of sneezes and coughs.  I, myself, am just getting through the last straggling symptoms of my own cold.  It seems whenever I am sick, my friends     and family are quick to chime [...]

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