The Mental Break You Didn't Know You Took [Los Angeles Times] We need a solid 7 or 8 hours of shut-eye each night to stay healthy, but as it turns out, our brains actually catch plenty more winks—every time we blink. New research explains that every time we blink, the human brain uses that tiny moment of shut-eye to power down and recharge itself. The finding also explains why we tend to blink near the point of an "implicit stop," such as the end of a sentence or a TV scene. According to investigators, these spontaneous blinks are actually timed to reset our brain without missing moments that require our full attention. (Keep your body as energized as your mind, with these Ideas For A Perfect Breakfast.)

Is This The Future Of Antibiotics? [CBS News] Health experts are growing increasingly concerned about the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, warning that dangerous microorganisms are quickly becoming immune to the effects of common medications. Now, one team of scientists have an unusual solution: Giant pandas. A group of investigators have isolated a compound in the bloodstream of the adorable animals that they suspect is capable of rapidly killing bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. Fortunately, they're not suggesting we decimate the endangered population: The antibiotic compound found in panda blood can be produced synthetically in the lab. (Concerned about antibiotics? Find out Whether They're Lurking In Your Food—and what to do about it.)

The Real Reason You're In Pain [Futurity] Sore knees, nagging back strain, ubiquitous headaches. For many people, chronic pain can seem like an unfortunate fact of life, with an estimated one in five of us suffering from ongoing discomfort at some point in our lives. Turns out, whether or not we're vulnerable to aches might have a lot to do with our genes: A recent investigation suggests that certain genetic patterns make some people more sensitive to pain, and also put them at an increased risk of longterm pain problems. Researchers hope that the findings yield new medications that can better curb chronic pain. (Manage your discomfort today with 8 Natural Ways To Beat Pain.)

New Year, New Inbox [Fast Company] Will 2013 be the year that you finally get your email under control? It could be an easy resolution to keep, thanks to two new, free tools—both compatible with Gmail and Outlook—that offer unique ways to organize, save, and schedule emails. Take one example: If an email arrives before you actually want to deal with it (say, an invitation to a party that's six weeks away), one program gives you the ability to have that email redelivered at a later date—making space in your Inbox for messages that need your attention sooner. (Your inbox might be improving, but how's your email etiquette? Find out if you're guilty of committing these Office Habits That Annoy Coworkers.)

Katie Drummond Katie Drummond is the News Editor at Prevention.com.

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