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Brian Wu

  • Director of Psychiatric Services, Executive Mental Health
California, United States
As seen in: HuffPost, Wiley Online Library, Los Angeles Times, Yahoo Finance, Chicago Tribune, Healthline, Medical News Today, Seeking Alpha, Baltimore Sun, Yahoo and
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For New Year's resolutions, go for gradual changes for a big effect

For New Year's resolutions, go for gradual changes for a big effect

LA Times — Nearly everyone has made New Year's resolutions, and nearly always they do not survive January. That's often because we tend to overreach. The truth is, real change is often subtle, gradual, the way leaves slowly come out in spring. So in 2015, try to act like the leaves, with ideas for gradual changes that can have a big effect on your life. Gradual weight loss With nearly two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese, it's hardly surprising that weight loss is among the most common New Year's resolutions. It's also one of the most commonly abandoned. Why?
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'Forest bath' is way to let nature cleanse away stress

'Forest bath' is way to let nature cleanse away stress

LA Times — Shinrin-yoku is the name given to the Japanese art of "forest bathing," contemplative walks through the woods that reconnect the individual with nature and can lead to decreased stress, natural mood elevation and even a stronger immune system. This means of mobile meditation has been recognized by the Japanese government since 1982 and has been endorsed by the Forest Agency of Japan as a means of improving quality of life. The practice can be a natural way to combat the toll of stress and anxiety, and this holds equally true for Tokyo or L.A.
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The Do's and Don'ts of the Medical School Personal Statement

The Do's and Don'ts of the Medical School Personal Statement

noodle.com — For students who are in the process of applying to medical school, the prospect of composing a personal statement may seem like a daunting - even frightening - task. Most people would rather not try to encapsulate their lives in a short essay to be shared with complete strangers. In truth, though, the medical school personal statement offers a great opportunity to shine, above and beyond your academic record. Learn from the MedSchoolCoach lead MD/PhD Advisor, Brian Wu, about how to craft an effective statement - and the pitfalls to avoid in the process.
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DermNet NZ

DermNet NZ

dermnetnz.org — Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine, sterile needles into specific points that lie along meridians of energy in the body (there are some 350 of these points in this tradition). It is believed that stimulation of these nodes unblocks energy, or qi, within the body. Acupuncture is one of the more widely accepted alternative therapies in the West; it has its origins in China and is believed to have begun between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago. The specific mechanisms by which acupuncture works are not fully understood, but there have been several theories advanced.
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The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Roth IRA

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Roth IRA

wallstcheatsheet.com — Roth IRAs have been around for well over a decade now, but many people are still not familiar with what they are and how they work. The Roth IRA can be a great way to invest your money for retirement if you are aware of both the many advantages as well as disadvantages of this investment opportunity. The Roth IRA is a retirement account that can be opened by you individually or by you and your spouse. While any contributions you make into a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, it can still offer a very valuable future source of income when you retire.
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3 Easy Methods You Can Use to Save for Your Kids' College Tuition

3 Easy Methods You Can Use to Save for Your Kids' College Tuition

wallstcheatsheet.com — Parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it is also one of the most expensive. From the moment you bring that bundle of joy home, you will be asked to fork over dollar after dollar to care for them. College is one of the largest expenses you will incur, and if you want to be able to afford it you need to start planning now. There are many ways you can save for college and the following methods are easy for you to begin saving for the education of your children.
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Talking to Parents About Vaccines

Talking to Parents About Vaccines

studentdoctor.net — Well Baby visits can be stressful for both physicians and the new parents - not to mention the baby! Discussions of neonatal care, height and weight development, and the achievement of milestones can take up enough time just by themselves. However, one of the touchiest and most emotionally loaded issues which can arise during these visits is that of vaccinations. In recent years, there has been a firestorm of controversy - and a wealth of misinformation - surrounding vaccinations which has raised the stress levels of parents who are genuinely unsure about whether or not to immunize their children.One of the biggest causes of this parental worry is the pervasive belief that there is a link between immunizations and the development of autism.
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What is Ebola, Exactly?

What is Ebola, Exactly?

studentdoctor.net — The Ebola Virus Disease, or EVD for short, is an epidemic-inducing viral infection that affects the host body by disarming the immune system, and dismantling the vascular system. The Ebola virus is the sole member of the Zaire Ebolavirus species, as well as the most dangerous of the five known viruses within the genus Ebolavirus. If untreated, EVD can be potentially fatal, but can sometimes be treated if suspicious symptoms are caught early enough. The virus can inhabit a host body for anywhere from 2-21 days during an incubation type period of time.
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The Journey of Recovery Begins with a Step

The Journey of Recovery Begins with a Step

www.duffysrehab.com — There are those who would argue that addiction is a choice, and not a disease. There are those who would tell you that it's simply a matter of choosing to stop-they say an alcoholic can put the bottle down at any time, and simply walk in the other direction. The people who speak these misguided statements have never been there. They've never awakened in a cold sweat at four o'clock in the morning, hands fumbling first for the light switch, then desperate to find the nearest bottle of something, anything to take the craving away.
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5 Ways to Start Feeling Secure in Your Relationship

5 Ways to Start Feeling Secure in Your Relationship

lifehack.org — You are in a relationship, and everything is going great, but you still find yourself not feeling secure enough to you trust your partner completely. The question is not why, but how to find that security. It takes work, but when you will be able to get there, you will be rewarded with a great deal of happiness and joy for the soul. The first problem that couples usually meet is the fact that they tend not to have many deep conversations about the future, about the things they love or hate, or even about their day-to-day activities.
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How People with Diabetes Can Still Eat Desserts

How People with Diabetes Can Still Eat Desserts

lifehack.org — When one is diagnosed with diabetes, the first thought that many have is they must say goodbye to desserts and other sweet treats forever. However, just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes doesn't mean you can't treat yourself once in awhile. It is true that you must severely limit your sweet treats and, in most cases, it's best to reserve sweets and other desserts for special occasions so you don't miss out. However, with a little planning you can still have your favorite dessert every now and then while still managing your disease.
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Start the Year by Stopping: Tips to Help You Quit Smoking | eHow

Start the Year by Stopping: Tips to Help You Quit Smoking | eHow

ehow.com — If you're thinking about quitting smoking, take the first step this new year with simple guidelines following the letters in the word "START." This word can help you set concrete goals that will make your resolution a success.
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3 Innovative New Approaches to Medical Education

3 Innovative New Approaches to Medical Education

noodle.com — According to In-Training, a site developed by students to describe about their medical school experiences, the American medical school curriculum has not seen significant change in decades. The majority of institutions across the country rely on the same basic approach to prepare their students to become doctors: two years of intensive in-class scientific instruction followed by two years of clinical-based learning. In-Training notes that the founding notion behind this system is that it is best to thoroughly ground would-be doctors in the knowledge and science of their craft before allowing them clinical experience.
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DermNet NZ

DermNet NZ

dermnetnz.org — Isolated limb perfusion is a treatment method usually used in advanced cases of melanoma. It is also sometimes used for sarcoma and other cancers. It was developed in the 1950s as an alternative to amputation, which was often the standard of care when cutaneous melanoma metastases (secondaries) arose in one limb. Isolated limb perfusion with cytotoxic medications is intended to get rid of the metastases. In this procedure: The femoral artery and vein (if treating a leg) or the axillary artery and vein (if treating the arm) are clamped. Subclavian or iliac approaches in this procedure are also possible but less common.
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Can Costco Maintain Its Robust Growth?

Can Costco Maintain Its Robust Growth?

seekingalpha.com — Costco enjoyed strong top line growth in fiscal 2014 and its shares soared. The company's growth in the first half of fiscal 2015, however, has slowed down partly due to poor performance in the company's international markets. Nevertheless, Costco is likely to maintain good growth over the long-term and its shares remain sound investments. Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) went on a hot growth streak in 2014. The company recorded sales growth of 7% in 2014 to $110.21 billion with a healthy same-store growth of 5%.
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How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?

How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?

cheatsheet.com — Not many people enjoy thinking about their death, and fewer still even remotely consider the possibility of an early death. Still, one should take the time to think about it, especially when it comes to the financial safety of your family. Do you have enough money to pay all your debts and cover your funeral expenses? What about taking care of your family after you are gone? Life insurance is designed to create a safety net for your family in the tragic event of your untimely passing. But how much do you really need?
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A Money To-Do List for People in Their 50s

A Money To-Do List for People in Their 50s

cheatsheet.com — Once you get through your 30s and 40s, you might think you will finally be at a point when you can relax and not watch your money closely, and this may be true depending on your financial situation. However, when you reach your 50s, your financial work really isn't done, and you need to remain vigilant to ensure your money works for you for the rest of your life. When you reach your 50s, you could start feeling a financial pull from not only your children but your parents, as well.
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4 Ways to Find the Path Leading Out of Debt

4 Ways to Find the Path Leading Out of Debt

cheatsheet.com — People with little to no debt are free from the stress of monthly interest payments and harassing phone calls from creditors. They find it easier to save money while also still having more money to spend to enjoy life. But if you are buried under a mountain of debt, it can be difficult to find the path that leads you out of trouble. Fortunately, there are several ways to find that path and, with a little hard work, work your way to a life that is debt-free. Paying off your mountain of debt is not going to happen overnight.
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After CDC Warning, Safeway Pulls Caramel Apples From Shelves

After CDC Warning, Safeway Pulls Caramel Apples From Shelves

sciencetimes.com — U.S. consumers are being advised to avoid eating caramel apples that have been commercially produced. This recommendation follows an outbreak of listeriosis in several states across the U.S. that has been linked to commercial caramel apples. Now, Safeway has withdrawn from its shelves caramel apples in response to the latest warning issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with a few threats of lawsuits looming around the corner. Listeriosis is caused by eating food that has bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This infectious agent can be life-threatening, though when caught early enough can effectively be treated with antibiotics.
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Mars One Headquarters Planned for Seattle

Mars One Headquarters Planned for Seattle

sciencetimes.com — Rocket company SpaceX, under the leadership of Tesla founder Elon Musk, is looking hire up to 1,000 employees for its Seattle-based engineering office whose mission will be to build a commercial satellite business that will eventually pave the way for sending spacecrafts to Mars. And while many are happy about the boost in the local economy, some are left wondering whether a change in careers may bring them closer to a future on Mars? SpaceX already offers the use of its Falcon 9 rockets to international customers for satellite deployment into orbit, but was forced to sue the U.S.
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How To Ensure Your Organic Foods Aren't Killing You

How To Ensure Your Organic Foods Aren't Killing You

lifehack.org — If you're like most people, when you hear the phrase 'organic foods,' it brings to mind wholesome goodness. No chemicals, no genetic modifications, just food, straight from nature. It's a fair assumption. The problem is, sometimes it's not correct. In fact, a recent study done by scientists at Stanford University found that organic food is not necessarily more nutritious, however it does reduce your overall exposure to pesticides. "The study did look at one study which found that children who switched to an organic diet for five days had lower levels of pesticides in their urine, but whether the levels have a direct impact on human health is "unclear."" Mike Adams, AKA "The Health Ranger," owns and operates the website, Natural News.
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How To Ensure Your Organic Foods Aren't Killing You

How To Ensure Your Organic Foods Aren't Killing You

lifehack.org — If you're like most people, when you hear the phrase 'organic foods,' it brings to mind wholesome goodness. No chemicals, no genetic modifications, just food, straight from nature. It's a fair assumption. The problem is, sometimes it's not correct. In fact, a recent study done by scientists at Stanford University found that organic food is not necessarily more nutritious, however it does reduce your overall exposure to pesticides. "The study did look at one study which found that children who switched to an organic diet for five days had lower levels of pesticides in their urine, but whether the levels have a direct impact on human health is "unclear."" Mike Adams, AKA "The Health Ranger," owns and operates the website, Natural News.
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