Circulating air can stop carbon dioxide buildup

Poor ventilation leads to a build-up of carbon dioxide in the bedroom To test the effect of keeping a window open, researchers tracked the sleep of healthy students. They slept with windows or doors either open or shut, and the room temperature was monitored. There was also a motion sensor in the pillow and one attached to the sleepers’ arm. Levels of CO2 were measured in the bedrooms over five days.

The result shows that lower carbon dioxide CO2 levels implied better sleep depth, sleep efficiency, and lesser number of awakening. With a window or door closed, the average CO2 level was 1150 parts per million, compared with 717 ppm when the window or door was open.

Humidity levels were similar in both conditions as were temperatures. This showed that an open window was better for reducing carbon dioxide CO2. The perceived freshness of bedroom air improved significantly when the CO2 level was lower.
         haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Walking slowly may indicate heart failure

Slowing pace could be an early warning of heart failure, dementia or cardiac disease.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believe walking speed is as important as pulse rate or blood pressure.

They have developed a sensor that hangs on the wall and transmits radio waves to detect a person’s gait and stride length as they move about their home.

Experts think the WiGait device, which is roughly the size of a small flat screen TV, can predict the onset of health problems through analysing the data it records.

The technology has been tested in care homes in the US and was able to measure walking speed with an accuracy of 95 to 99 per cent in the research phase.

Users can check their walking speeds on the app and also receive alerts if they are not active and encouraging them to take more exercise.