If your initial reaction wasn't, "Ewww! Gross!" it was probably, "Yeah, right." At least, those are the two thoughts that went through my head upon seeing the article.

Filipino doctor, Dr. Florencio Q. Lucero, has presented this idea in the form of ActiStem Dermal, a product which aims to increase collagen and elastin production, thereby decreasing the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Dr. Lucero is a cosmetic surgeon who has been at the forefront of stem-cell therapy in his country.

However, he is quick to point out that ActiStem is not a stem-cell -- "it's a protein extract from the sheep's placenta." Therefore, he doesn't foresee the ethical and moral issues stem-cell usage has raised.

The product is backed by several former beauty queens (including two Miss Universes) who are now in their 40s and 50s, as well as the doctor's wife, all who claim it's safe and effective, and it's not baaaa-d news.

What do you think? Is this a healthy option with no repercussions? Is it better than what's currently on the market? Or should we all suck it up and live with our wrinkles?

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Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder are very hard for psychiatrists to diagnose sometimes. It's a subjective procedure requiring the patient to tell the professional about his or her symptoms. After that, the doctor must give a judgment which ultimately diagnoses the patient.

But what if medical professionals were able to test the blood and detect whether or not a person had bipolar disorder or depression? This could, theoretically, eliminate the need for subjective judgments on people's mental state. However, some folks believe this is too accurate.

The ethical concerns stem from the fact that ten genes have been shown to reveal a person's mental status. Personality characteristics are controversial in medicine, and a test that can allegedly tell a person if they're unstable could cause a bigger rift. However, if used properly, this seems like a more effective way to treat patients of psychiatry. We'll have to keep an eye on this for future developments!

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After a nearly five-year absence from the big screen, there has been a lot of talk recently about how fantastic Michelle Pfeiffer still looks at nearly 50 years-of-age. Pfeiffer has always been one of the most beautiful women in the world (I don't know of anyone who doesn't think she's stunning), and maybe she still looks incredible at her age because of great genetics and a great deal of attention to skin care.

The fact is though that few people look as fantastic at (nearly) 50 as Pfeiffer, at 40 as Nicole Kidman, at 60-plus as Goldie Hawn or (and I can't even believe it's possible) at almost-70 Tina Turner. So what is their secret? In many cases, it has a lot to do with genetics and none of us can improve on what we're born with.

As this piece points out though, many stars do resort in botox injections or expensive and invasive plastic surgeries to keep their youthful look. Many others go with face creams and treatments that most of us can't afford. So does that mean that the rest of us can't possibly age well? Even if you can't afford any of the products and procedures that celebs go for, you can still stay young by staying out of the sun, wearing moisturizer with SPF, eating healthy and drinking lots of water.

Do you have any tips on how to keep a youthful look?

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When I come across health articles that seem a bit extremist or unrealistic, alarm bells tend to go off. I think that there are a lot of warnings about a lot of things out there that, in truth, pose minimal risk to most of the population. While warnings against smoking and information about skin cancer protection make sense, I tend to wonder if there's really a need for so many scary reports on things like Avian flu and West Nile virus. I felt the same way when I found this piece about unnecessary surgery.

The article mentions that, for various reasons, a number of people out there are going under the knife needlessly. They're either having surgeries that are more extreme than what their condition warrants, or could be trying successful alternative therapies first instead of having an operation. The four most common unnecessary procedures performed are spinal surgery, knee arthroscopy, hysterectomy and angioplasty.

I don't know what to believe to be honest. The article does say that many times these surgeries are needed and offer significant results -- but not always. I think the most important thing to always remember is to stand up for yourself when it comes to your health. If you're unsure about an initial diagnosis, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. And always research all possible options and get lots of advice before undergoing a major operation.

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Okay, so here's a thought from the health care industry: flat rate surgery, with a warranty? A hospital group in Pennsylvania is doing just that, charging a flat fee for services that includes 90 days of follow-up care. This approach to health care encourages medical professionals to give better care as opposed to more care, since the less follow-up a patient requires the better for everybody. The way the health system currently works in this country hospitals are almost rewarded for errors and sub-par care by needing to see the patient again, and billing for even more services.

I think this is a great idea, although do you think hospitals would start to get choosy about who they performed certain procedures on? It might make things difficult for high-risk patients and people with complicated mixes of health conditions.

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Most people, when told they need a major medical procedure or surgery, simply go to whatever hospital their doctor has it scheduled in -- without a second thought. But in the face of a new trend that may no longer be the case in many situations. Washington, in response to state lawmaker's requests, has created a website that makes hospital pricing for medical procedures, surgery, and other information like customer service more easily accessible to the public. The idea being that if you're told you need knee surgery, for example, you can look it up online and see at a glance which hospitals charge more or less, and which have better patient teaching and end-result track records.

Not to say that your doctor isn't referring you to the best hospital in his opinion, but it's just that -- his opinion. I think it's awesome that patient's can now take a more active part in how and when they are treated, and this has to be having a positive impact on how the hospitals manage things. Plus I can honestly say, from experience, that the last thing on most doctor's minds is making sure you get the best deal financially. That's entirely up to you.

Can't wait until this catches on in my area.

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Signs posted up on doctors walls, television coverage, health news broadcasts, and even commercials all emphasizing the new proper procedure on how to cough in public. We are now supposed to cough into our sleeve or a napkin, tissue, hanky, or something cloth to catch the germs. Coughing on the hands or just straight out in to the air can transfer germs for up to eight hours as they float about waiting to land on something or you spread them around with your hands on everything you touch.

With all of this coverage, I still witness lots of people coughing unprotected into the air or on their hands. So what will change the habits of millions of people daily? I think it begins at home with mothers teaching the proper way to cough while impressionable minds still can grasp the new concept. I also think the school systems should jump on board emphasizing the proper way to cough and protect others from spreading germs. But for us old farts out here, well...., that lesson may be harder to teach. We just need to get a better prospective on how our carelessness can affect a lot of people and build a conscious. Nothing like getting coughed on a hundred times in a doctors office by people ignoring posters plastered all around the office on the proper way to cough to realize this.

I have had friends over the years make fun of me lovingly when I raise the neck of my shirt and cough down inside my shirt saying I look so funny doing that. I felt it was the best way on a spur of the moment kind of thing when the coughing urge hits, to keep my germs from flying about. Who is laughing now?