by Mae Chan, PreventDisease.com

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have reversed depression symptoms in mice by feeding them Lactobacillus, a probiotic bacteria found in live-cultures yogurt. Further, they have discovered a specific mechanism for how the bacteria affect mood, providing a direct link between the health of the gut microbiome and mental health.

There are over 400 species of bacteria in your belly right now that can be the key to health or disease.

Broken down, the word probiotic means "for life" or "promoting life." While it sounds good, you still may wonder: are probiotics just another gimmick, or is there some science behind mental health benefits?

Based on their findings, the researchers are optimistic that their discovery will hold true in people and are planning to confirm their findings in patients with depression.

by Josh Richardson, PreventDisease.com

We tend to believe that people telegraph how they're feeling through facial expressions and body language and we only need to watch them to know what they're experiencing -- but new research shows we'd get a much better idea if we put ourselves in their shoes instead. The findings are published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

All our perspectives help us define our truths. Within this perspective, what is true works for the situation at hand and it is what allows us to assess all our experiences. When we realize that all truths are true, we no longer have a need to be right. So what happens when we consider the perspective of others?

"People expected that they could infer another's emotions by watching him or her, when in fact they were more accurate when they were actually in the same situation as the other person. And this bias persisted even after our participants gained firsthand experience with both strategies," explain study authors Haotian Zhou (Shanghai Tech University) and Nicholas Epley (University of Chicago).

by Karen Forrester, PreventDisease.com

A compound called BPA is being phased out of all plastic packaging due to fears it may disrupt our hormones--but its replacement may be just as harmful.

BPA, or bisphenol A, is often found in disposable water bottles and babies' milk bottles and cups. Small amounts can dissolve into the food and drink inside these containers. It is a dangerous chemical linked to health concerns from digestive problems to issues with brain development. It was previously found present in around two billion products in the U.S. that were used on a daily basis.

By 2009 it had the highest production volume and use in consumer goods, with 2.2 million tons consumed globally.

Because it's the most harmful on developing brains and bodies, children and pregnant women, it started to be phased out from the manufacturing process of plastics.

by Joe Battaglia, PreventDisease.com

Mercury amalgam fillings are now a well known toxicity to the body of both dental patients and dentists themselves. Specific resin composites used now by many dentists are safer, however insufficient research has been able to validate long-term health implications. Engineers have made some promising findings about the ability of 'bioactive' glass which may be not only the safest of the three, but perhaps even provide some of the minerals needed to replace those lost to tooth decay.

It will be noted that most of the 170,000 dentists in this US who work with amalgams do not think exposure to dental mercury causes any harm what-so-ever. And why should they since they were taught in dental school that amalgams don't release mercury.

The film You Put What In My Mouth? explores why dentists are unaware of manufacturer warnings and the elevated exposures during these routine dental procedures.

by Josh Richardson, PreventDisease.com

Since ancient times we have seen pictures and paintings of different spiritual leaders across various traditions but one thing that is common among all of them is the halo that surrounds their head which is known as the Aura- energy field. Many have dismissed Auras, especially those professed to be experts in natural sciences. However, with the assistance of highly sensitive cameras scientists have been able to photograph this field some experts believe could become a tool for use in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

This aura represents your physical, mental, emotional as well as spiritual energies. The aura is often seen a mix of fine coloured frequencies where each colour defines its own individual nature and characteristics.

The vibration of this aura is very fine and subtle so we need very fine instruments to detect it and also to interpret the different colours and shapes in the aura which can reveal us a lot of unsaid information.