Blog Posts by Sarah B. Weir, Yahoo! blogger

Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. About 5 million people suffer from the disease, which attacks the brain and impairs memory and cognitive function. As symptoms develop, even simple daily tasks can become impossible to carry out.

Early detection is important for treatment, but as the Alzheimer's Association points out, people suffering from any form of dementia often don't recognize they have a problem and fail to alert their physician. Now, a simple yes-or-no test can assist family members who suspect a loved one is at risk for the developing the disease.

The Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ) was developed by researchers and published in BMC Geriatrics. The AQ isn't meant to be used as a definitive diagnostic test. Instead, it's an accessible, quick screening tool that may help determine whether a loved one or a patient should receive a full battery of neurological tests.

Courtesy BMC Geriatrics

The questions are designed to distinguish between people

It is estimated that between 5 and 8 percent of Americans don't go to the dentist out of fear and another 20% only go when absolutely necessary. When trying to conquer dental anxiety, "the main thing is to remember is that you are in charge," says Kendra Holdip Donaldson, RDH, who works in the cozy office of dentist Charles Grannum, DMD, in Brooklyn, New York. "People are self-conscious about communicating their anxieties." She points out that unless patients voice their fears, dentists and hygienists can't help make their appointments more bearable.

Related: Health Tip: Managing Anxiety Disorder

Grannum and his staff are part of a new generation of dentists and hygienists whose training includes methods of making people feel more comfortable and relaxed. In his office, they play soft music, offer healthy snacks and tea in the waiting room, and will set up a favorite DVD for patients to watch during longer procedures. Still, surveys show that the average person feels as much

According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), home births are on the rise, but the tragic January 23, 2012, death of an Australian home birth advocate highlights a debate over safety. Caroline Lovell, a professional photographer who reportedly petitioned the Australian government to provide funding and legal protection for home births, suffered cardiac arrest while delivering her second child at home. She died the next day after being rushed to a hospital. Yahoo! 7 News reports a private midwife was in attendance.

Related: When Mom-to-be's Overweight, Smokes, Risk of Birth Defects Rises

Between 2004 and 2009, the percentage of American women giving birth at home increased by nearly 30 percent. That number is highest amongst white, non-Hispanic women. For that group, about 1 out of 90 births occur at home.

Women choose to give birth at home for a number of reasons including comfort and privacy. Robin Dunn Bryant, a writer whose daughter was delivered

The January 30th report that Burmese pythons are decimating the mammal population in the Florida Everglades highlights one of the many concerns animal experts have about keeping exotic species as pets.

Related: Think Your Pet is Safe From Coyotes?

"The pythons in the Everglades were probably once pets that were released or escaped," Debbie Leahy, captive wildlife regulatory specialist at the Humane Society of the United States told Yahoo! Shine. Invasive species are just one of the issues people need to understand if they are thinking of buying an exotic pet she explains. "We recommend you stick to traditional domesticated animals such as dogs and cats."

The Humane Society discourages keeping any exotic animals as pets whether they are caught in the wild or bred in captivity. These include reptiles, amphibians, birds, primates, and others such as hedge hogs or pot bellied pigs.

Exotic pets are high maintenance

"Most people don't have the resources or expertise to care

Oreo is the world's biggest selling cookie earning about $1.5 billion dollars annually. The brand was first baked in New York City and has been around for nearly 100 years (March 6, 2012 is its official birthday). While the first variation of the chocolate sandwich biscuit wasn't even introduced in the United States until 1974 when Nabisco unveiled the plump and creamy "Double Stuf" version, Oreos around the world taste-and look-very different from the original.

Related: The Best and Worst Girl Scout Cookies

Kraft Foods' (who own Nabisco) big awakening about local preferences came in 1996 when they launched the cookie in China. It was too sweet for the Chinese palate and too big--and it flopped. The large packages were also too expensive. Instead of pulling out, Kraft sent researchers into Chinese consumers' homes to find out what flavors they liked and how and when they served cookies. They even marketed the biscuit using bicycles with wheels made to resemble Oreos.

One of

Cuteness alert, code red! If you aren't a fan a watching 300-pound men pummel each other in the name of gridiron glory, Animal Planet is airing Puppy Bowl VIII on Sunday, February 5. The fur begins to fly at 3 p.m. sharp (unless the puppies are napping).

Related: Best Super Bowl Commercials With Dogs

Puppy Bowl is held in a miniature stadium where, this year, 58 canine athletes will tug chew toys, splash in water bowls, and bonk their noses into the various doggie cams. The puppies are all from shelters and a veterinary staff is present to ensure safety and that animal welfare standards are adhered to.

This year, "Meep," social media guru for the avian set, will be tweeting from the sidelines. A new referee, Dan Schachner, will be watching out for "unnecessary ruff, ruff, ruff-ness." As always, the kittens will try to steal the show at halftime.

Also on Shine:

Blind Kitten Becomes Internet Sensation

What to Expect Your Puppy's First Week Home

Eight Celebrities

With Super Bowl Sunday just around the corner, we here at Shine thought we'd do a rundown of the hottest quarterbacks of all time (gotta love this job). By "hot" we are not referring to a player who can lob a 60-yard bomb. We mean straight up sex appeal.

Related: Super Bowl or Super Bull? Six Super Bowl Myths Busted

Why are QBs such QTs? Usually the "face of the franchise," quarterbacks are the most visible member of the team and the one most likely to achieve celebrity status. The New York Times crunched some numbers and found that pretty boys are even paid for their looks: a handsome quarterback even earns an average of $300,000 more per year than his stats would predict.

Check out the slideshow for our top ten picks (in alphabetical order).

Honorable mentions include: Troy Aikman, Kyle Boller, Drew Brees, David Carr, John Elway, Matt Hasselbeck, Trent Edwards, Babe Laufenberg, The Brothers Manning, Don Meredith, Joe Montana, Warren Moon, Brady Quinn, Phil Rivers, Tony

Chef Dale Talde, who competed in Top Chef Season 4, is a whiz at using Asian spices and condiments to coax maximum flavor out of his dishes in breakneck speed. "In many Asian countries it's too hot to use an oven, wok cooking is quick cooking," Talde told Yahoo! Shine. "'Low and slow' means an hour, versus seven hours in European cuisine."

Related: Yahoo! Shine: What's For Dinner

At his brand new Brooklyn restaurant, Talde, he uses savory pantry ingredients, such as fish sauce and dried shrimp, to attain deep flavors in his dishes, a technique home cooks can adopt for quick weeknight meals. "Chefs understand that salt is the basis of most flavor and you can't be afraid of it," says Talde. He explains that home cooks can give their food a salty richness by reaching for kitchen basics such as soy sauce, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

We asked Talde and other great chefs to share their magic ingredients with Yahoo! Shine. Here are their best-kept secrets; now we'll have to