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The history of medicine is defined by advances born of bioscience. But never before has it been driven to such a degree by digital technology, said Katie Hafner, technology and society writer for The New York Times.

When it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, modern doctors depend less on the medical textbooks they studied at medical school. The advent of technology, especially smartphone applications, now provide medical guidelines for doctors regarding treatments for their patients.

This has, however, triggered something of a generation divide. Older doctors admire, even envy, their younger colleagues' ease with new technology. But at the same time they are also worried that the human connections that lie at the core of medical practice are at risk of being lost.

Dr Paul Tang, chief innovation and technology officer at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Palo Alto, California, noted that adding an app to medical practice won't necessarily make people better doctors or more caring clinicians. Instead, what doctors need to learn is how to use technology to be better, more humane professionals.

But, like it or not, humans and technology have become interdependent. And it is all a matter of whether we can use it in moderation and use it in a wise way.

Visit http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/science/redefining-medicine-with-apps-and-ipads-the-digital-doctor.html?ref=health.

Drowsy dangers

If you are acting slow all day, yawning all the time or in desperate need of a few more shots of espresso in the afternoon, you only need one thing - sleep.

The article "6 Surprising Signs You Need More Sleep" suggests some obvious signs that your body is craving slumber.

According to the article, which is partly presented as a slide show, getting less than the seven to nine hours of sleep can lead to serious health issues, like heart problems and obesity. More importantly, it can also disturb your day-to-day behaviour in more subtle ways.

So if you feel like eating all day, feeling weepy or forgetful, these can be signs that you need to go straight to bed and close your eyes.

Visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/10/signs-need-to-sleep-n-1943701.html?utm-hp-ref=healthy-living#slide=1609446.