Latest news with #2022Study
New York Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Which Cooking Oil Should I Use?
A splash here, a splash there. You might not think your cooking oil matters much for the climate and the environment. But it does. Farming accounts for about a third of global carbon emissions. And, according to a major study published in 2022, nearly 20 percent of the planet's total farmed land goes toward oil crops. But that doesn't mean that all oils are bad. Some are much better than others. And, in some cases, they might even provide a net benefit in terms of planet-warming carbon. Here, in a nutshell, is what you should know. The global rankings Just four crops make up more than 85 percent of the world's edible oil: palm, soy, canola and sunflower. Peanut, coconut and olive oils are the next biggest. All the others, including corn, grapeseed and avocado, make up just a sliver of the global market. According to that study published in 2022, canola and sunflower oil are the two best bets for the climate, on average, around the world. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Health Line
20-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns Made from Zirconia
Dental crowns made of zirconia have many benefits, including strength and durability, but may not color match the rest of your teeth as well as porcelain. Dental crowns are caps that cover a tooth or a dental implant. Dentists often recommend crowns as a way to support broken, weak, or misshapen teeth. They can also be used to cover up a tooth that's very worn down or severely discolored, or in conjunction with bridges to strengthen multiple teeth. Crowns can be made of several materials, including ceramic and metal. Some people now have access to crowns made of zirconia, a very durable type of ceramic material. What are the benefits of zirconia dental crowns? Dental crowns made of zirconia are becoming increasingly common, and they do offer some advantages. Strength One of zirconia's biggest advantages is its strength and durability. Consider how much force your back teeth exert on the food you chew. Your crowns need to be made of a strong material, so zirconia may be a good choice for crowns in the back of your mouth. Also, because zirconia is so strong, a dentist won't have to do as much preparation of your tooth. Longevity According to a 2017 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Dentistry, zirconia-based crowns fared just as well over the course of 5 years as metal-based crowns. And zirconia crowns, called monolithic zirconia crowns, are especially durable. A more recent 5-year study from 2022 found similar results for zirconia crowns over implants. Biocompatibility Many dentists choose zirconia because it is biocompatible, which means it's less likely to provoke the body into producing a reaction or immune system response like inflammation. A 2020 review of studies confirms this and found that zirconia crowns showed good clinical performance based on results of studies they reviewed. Same-day procedure Many dentists can make zirconia crowns in their offices rather than sending an impression of your tooth to a lab to have a crown made. Then, they can cement the crown into your mouth in a single visit. The CEREC, or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, process uses computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to speed up this process. The dentist uses a dental milling machine to actually make the crown from a block of zirconia. This process eliminates the need to stretch the procedure into two visits. However, not every dentist's office has this technology in-house or offers zirconia crowns. What are the disadvantages of having a zirconia crown? Like many other dental procedures, there can be potential disadvantages to getting a zirconia crown. They can be hard to match One potential disadvantage of a zirconia crown is its opaque appearance, which can make it look less than natural. This is especially true for monolithic zirconia crowns, which are made only from zirconia and no other types of ceramic or metal, although it may be less of an issue for teeth in the back of your mouth. They can potentially wear on other teeth Some dentists have been hesitant to use zirconia crowns in certain circumstances, fearing that the hardness of the zirconia could cause wear and tear on opposing teeth, teeth below the tooth with a crown. While that may be a concern, a 2021 study found that feldspathic porcelain was much more likely than zirconia ceramic to cause wear on the enamel of opposing teeth. Can you have a zirconia crown with porcelain? You've just learned that zirconia can be a little hard to match to the rest of your teeth because of the material's opacity. That's why some dentists will layer porcelain on top of the zirconia when making the crown. A crown that's composed of zirconia with a layer of porcelain will give it a more natural appearance that can be easily color-matched to your surrounding teeth. Studies suggest the porcelain layer can make the crown a little more likely to chip or delaminate (separate into layers). That may be something to consider. How much does a zirconia crown cost? Dental crowns can be very pricey, costing anywhere from $1000 to $2,000. Zirconia crowns typically cost more than other types of dental crowns, such as ceramic, metal, and porcelain. They range in price from $1,000 to $2,500. Your geographic location can also affect the cost. Your insurance company may not cover the cost of a crown. But it's definitely worth consulting your insurance company to find out if they cover all or part of the cost of a crown, or if they cover particular types of crowns. Are there other types of dental crowns? Of course, zirconia crowns aren't your only option. Other materials commonly used in crowns include: ceramic porcelain metal composite resin combinations of materials, such as porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) You'll want to discuss the best material for your situation with your dentist. This will include how much of your natural tooth remains, the location and function of the tooth that needs the crown, the amount of gum that'll show when you smile or talk, and the color of your surrounding teeth. What happens during a crown procedure? There are two main types of procedures for installing a dental crown. Your dentist can prepare your tooth and install a temporary crown during one visit and then cement the permanent crown into your mouth during the second visit. Or, if your dentist has the appropriate technology and equipment to create a zirconia crown in-office, you can have a same-day procedure. Two-visit procedure The dentist will: Take an impression of your tooth prior to preparation for making the temporary crown. Remove part of the outer layer of your tooth, if necessary. Make an impression of your trimmed-down tooth for fabricating the crown. Install a temporary crown over your tooth. Have a dental lab make the crown from your impressions. Ask you to return to their office after the new crown is made so that they can cement it to your tooth. Same-day installation With this procedure, the dentist will: Examine your mouth, take digital pictures, and prepare your tooth for the procedure, which may include administering local anesthesia. Use the digital scan from the photos to create the crown in the office. Cement the crown into place.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The 60-second writing task that can reveal the early signs of dementia... how do you perform?
A simple test can help uncover if you are at risk of memory-robbing dementia, research suggests. The 60-second test, which only requires a pen, paper and timer, can pick up early signs of cognitive decline considered a precursor to dementia. It involves picking a large category, with common examples being types of fruit, species of animal, or TV shows. A person then tries to write down as many examples they can think of within the allotted time. Experts say that you should be able to name at least 15 items and ideally more than 21. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry, said that: 'If he or she cannot name 15 or more objects, the patient is likely to be cognitively impaired and the likelihood that he or she has Alzheimer's disease may be 20 times higher than if a patient can name 15 animals or more.' A 2022 study of 69 adults by American researchers found that scores in the test did get lower as people aged. But crucially worse performance was related to the levels of amyloid-β, a peptide found in the body which is considered a sign of Alzheimer's. Other similar tests can also be used to identify potential signs of dementia. One of the most famous is the analogue clock drawing test. It involves asking a person to draw a clock face on a blank piece of paper. They must add all the numbers from one to 12 and then set the hands to a specific time, for example 11.10 (ten past 11). The task relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like - a skill known as executive function, which involves how we plan, organize and complete tasks. Executive function is one of the cognitive skills that first begins to falter when dementia develops. A skewed circle and incorrectly placed numbers on this clock can indicate early signs of the condition. If the patient manages to draw a clock correctly it 'virtually excludes' dementia because the task requires a wide range of cognitive skills, the NHS in the UK says. However, if they struggle they should seek further advice from a doctor. An estimated 7.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's dementia in the U.S.. Previous studies have estimated that around 40 per cent of all dementia cases could be prevented with lifestyle changes. This includes healthier diets, increased exercise, drinking less alcohol, preventing head injury and using hearing aids.
