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CREDIT: Artem Chernyshevych | Stock Xchng Doctors usually have to rely on patients to tell them when "it hurts," but a new study suggests brain scans could provide a way to objectively measure pain. In the study, the researchers identified a pattern of brain activity — a "signature" — linked with physical pain. The signature could be used as an objective tool to assess pain, the researchers said. This may be useful in treating patients who cannot communicate, or those whose reports of pain are called into question. The signatures might also be used to study how well a pain treatment is working. In the study, researchers, using only scans of people's brains, were able to accurately distinguish between people in pain from heat and those merely experiencing warmth, or those experiencing emotional pain from a recent breakup. The more physical pain a person was in, the more pronounced the signature was. What's more, the signature was r...

The West Australian: Preparation is the key to a successful meditation session. Dharmapala Zen Buddhism Centre nun Gen Kelsang Nampur recommended choosing a well-ventilated, quiet area with a comfortable temperature. Sit with a straight back – whether on the floor or in a chair. She advises against lying down to meditate – particularly around bedtime. "Often meditation will wake you up, so it's best not to do it before you go to sleep," she said. "You can also train yourself to fall asleep in meditation, so it's best to keep those things separate." So when's the best time of day? Read the original article » Read More @ Source