The soothing sound of a lullaby has long helped babies drift off to sleep. Now, research published by the BMJ Group suggests it can also provide comfort to parents - especially in the stressful environment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Studies show that playing calming music in the NICU can lower both heart rates and breathing rates for premature babies and their parents, creating a shared sense of relief during a challenging time.
Meanwhile, scientists in Brussels have uncovered new insight into a different kind of relief - scratching an itch. Their research points to an ion channel known as TRPV4, which helps the nervous system detect temperature, pressure, tissue stress and itching. Importantly, TRPV4 also signals to the brain when enough is enough, effectively telling us when to stop scratching.
And when it comes to everyday habits, experts say many people may be tossing food too soon. Dietitians note that expiration or “sell by” dates don’t always mean food has spoiled. Instead, they recommend checking smell, texture, color and signs of mold before throwing items away. One key exception: infant formula. Regardless of how it looks or smells, it should always be discarded once it passes its expiration date to ensure safety.