Materialistic people are less liked than people who find happiness through experiences instead of objects. In a study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, volunteers were told about people who'd bought material objects - like a watch or car - to make them happy and about others who'd bought experiences - like dinner out or a vacation. The volunteers preferred those who had bought something experiential. When the volunteers described materialistic people, they said "selfish" and "self-centered". About experiential people they said "friendly" and "outgoing". Maybe materialistic has too man I's in it.
Multitasking has two i's and multitaskers can do only two things well at the same time. According to a study published in the journal Science, when volunteers performed one mental task there was activity in goal-oriented areas of both frontal lobes. When they performed two mental tasks simultaneously, the left lobe focused on one task and the right lobe focused on the other. However, when they performed three mental tasks simultaneously, one of the previous goals disappeared from their brains. The volunteers also performed slower and made more mistakes. Because the dictionary defines multi as more than two, perhaps multitaskers are only "double-headers".
Two dangers face pet owners - dogs and cats. A study published in the Journal of Safety Research was based on a nationally representative sample of ER visits to approximately 60 hospitals from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2006. The study found 7,456 pet-related falls. From that researchers calculated the national estimate for 2006 as 86,629 dog-and-cat-related falls. Dogs were involved in about 7.5 times more falls than cats and women were more than twice as likely to fall as men. Nevertheless, only 1% of falls treated in ER's are pet-related - not enough to "pet-rify" pet owners.
That the oldest baby boomers - those born in 1946 - will be 65 in 2011 was enough to attract the attention of food companies. That's because baby boomers snack more than twice as much as other age groups - on average 3 times a day. Because those 55 and older are among the biggest cereal consumers, General Mills has developed more high-fiber cereals. PepsiCo plans to cut sodium, saturated fat and sugar in its boomer products. Frito-Lay is adding almond products that are easier on teeth and lower-fat. By 2030 there will be 71 million Americans over 65 and healthy snacks will be the boomers.
A study published in the journal PNAS, Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences found that people with Alzheimer's have lingering emotions that are linked to memories after the memories are gone. This finding also applies to stroke victims and epileptics because they also have damage to the hippocampus area of the brain. In the study several people with a damaged hippocampus were shown clips from sad movies. Although they couldn't remember the clips 30 minutes later, feelings of sadness remained. Clips from funny and uplifting movies were forgotten too, but all the participants were left in good moods - and that's worth remembering.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology linked poor eyesight to a higher risk of dementia. In the study of 625 older Americans over a period of 8.5 years, those who rated their eyesight as very good or excellent were more than 63% less likely to develop dementia. However, 25% of those who rated their eyesight as fair or poor developed the condition. Researchers speculate poor vision contributes to dementia because it prevents older people from being active. Because the researchers found that those with untreated poor vision had the highest risk of dementia, seeing was believing.
A study done at Columbia University discovered diet reduces Alzheimer's risk. For 4 years researchers followed diets of 2,148 healthy people over age 65, checking for Alzheimer's every 18 months. Those least likely to develop the disease ate more olive-oil-based salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry and cruciferous vegetables. They ate less red meat, organ meat and high-fat dairy products. Because those who adhered closest to the diet had a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's, it's thought heart-healthy foods protect the brain. Considering more than 26 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's, foodstuffs should be healthy stuff.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found cell phone radiation is an effective treatment for Alzheimer's in mice. Mice that were genetically altered to develop Alzheimer's as they aged were exposed for two 1-hour periods daily to the amount of radiation typically emitted by a cell phone held to a human head. After 7 to 9 months cognitive ability was protected in young adult mice, memory impairment was reversed in older mice that had memory problems and memory was boosted in normal mice to above-normal levels. Hopefully, cell phones can answer the call for an Alzheimer's cure.
Nearly half the fish the world eats depends on coral reefs for feeding and spawning, but the reefs are dying. Coral reefs are a vital source of food, medicine and livelihood for hundreds of millions of people worldwide; but at least 19% of the world's reefs are already gone and another 15% could die within 20 years. Global warming, pollution, coastal development, bottom-dragging fishing boats and international trade in coral jewelry are killing it. According to the 2010 Global Marine Species Assessment, all coral could be extinct in 100 years if those killing coral aren't "corralled".
Global warming seems to be making allergies worse. Warming seasons across the U.S. are longer and cooling seasons are shorter. Not only are plants producing more pollen because of longer growing seasons, but also because of increased carbon dioxide in the air. Based on pollen scores, allergy medicine use per patient and board-certified allergists per patient, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America determined that Knoxville is the country's allergy capital for 2010. Of course, Louisville, Chattanooga, Dayton and Charlotte - which came in second, third, fourth and fifth respectively - don't have numbers to sneeze at.
Faster growing trees are another result of global warming. When the trees at the Smithsonian's Environmental Research Center outside Washington, D.C. were measured in 2010, the forest was increasing 2 extra tons per acre per year - up to double the usual growth rate for some trees. This is attributed to global warming - to the average temperature increasing three-tenths a degree Celsius in 23 years, a week-longer growing season and an increase of 12% in the carbon dioxide level. Because similar increases in tree growth rate have been seen worldwide, I guess it's not caused by hot air coming from the United States Congress.
Finally, Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana lost 2 more glaciers in 2010 because of global warming. In 1910 when the 1.4 million acres of wilderness became the 10th U.S. national park, there were 150 glaciers. Now there are only 25; and according to the U.S. Geological Survey, many of those could be gone by 2020. In recent years glacier melting has increased as global temperatures have increased. In the past 100 years the park's mean summer temperature has gone up approximately 3 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer temperatures shrink the rivers of ice until they stop. It's another type of man-made meltdown.
Men's and women's brains are different. According to the author of "The Male Brain", men's dorsal premammillary nucleus is bigger, making them more territorial. Their amygdala is bigger too, making them more alert to threats. Men's sexual pursuit area of the brain is 2.5 times bigger than women's. Add to that the 200%-250% testosterone increase from pre-adolescence and you get "man trance" - that glazed-eye look men have when looking at attractive women. Nevertheless, male brains fall in love as hard and fast as female brains - stopping their brain waves from waving at other women.
Obese men have a higher risk of injury in head-on car accidents. In a study published in the online journal Public Library of Science Medicine, fat crash dummies were used in a crash simulator; and the findings confirmed data from the National Automotive Sampling System on approximately 11,000 head-on crashes. Obese male drivers had a higher risk of serious injury and of injuries to the head, face, chest and spine. Overweight people had a lower risk of injury and women had more injuries to the abdominal area. In a perfect world this information would help drive down obesity.
Trans fats increase women's risk of sudden cardiac death. After analyzing data from more than 86,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study, Harvard researchers found that women with heart disease whose daily calories exceeded 2.5% trans fats were 3 times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than women whose daily calories didn't exceed 1% trans fats. Trans fats are in processed foods and fried foods. They raise LDL, the bad cholesterol and lower HDL, the good cholesterol. They also increase heart disease risk, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Trans fats are put in food to extend shelf life - not human life.
However, there is good news for women. Walking reduces stroke risk. A study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke involved approximately 39,000 female health workers in the Women's Health Study. For 12 years the women, age 45 or older, were periodically asked about their physical activity. After taking into account age, aspirin use, smoking and other variables, women who walked for 2 hours a week - at any pace - had a 30% lower stroke risk. No links between more vigorous activities and reduced stroke risk were found, but another study is needed for men - maybe a "walkmen" study.
Scientists at Texas A&M are part of "Project Greenvac". Flu vaccines are usually made by growing viruses in millions of fertile chicken eggs and then killing the viruses to make vaccines. Now tobacco plants are being used. After a flu virus gene is put into a bacterium and a tobacco plant is infected with the bacterium, the plant produces a protein to fight the virus. When the protein is extracted from the crushed tobacco leaves, it's ready to use for vaccine. Tobacco is being used to "smoke out" a faster, more efficient, green vaccine.
Environmentalists are recommending green diapers. Because approximately 50 million diapers go into U.S. landfills every day - about 18 billion a year - cloth diapers are the best solution. They're cheaper and reusable. Then there are hybrid diapers. The outer part is made of cloth and the disposable insert is made of absorbent wood pulp and polyacrylate, making it biodegradable. These are slightly more expensive than regular disposable diapers, but chlorine bleach isn't used in their manufacturing - which emits toxins into the air and water. Considering the average baby uses 5,000-8,000 diapers, diaper choice is a "from-the-bottom-up" approach to being greener.
Weedbusters Biocontrol is a green solution for plant overgrowth. The company consists of Bob Rich and his family, who are bug collectors in Missoula, Montana. Specific bugs eat specific weeds not native to a particular region, preventing the weeds from overpowering native vegetation. The bugs are collected with nets, put into pillowcases and refrigerated to slow their movements. This makes them easier to identify and separate into groups of about 100. Then the bugs are put into pint ice cream containers for shipping in insulated boxes to keep them cool. When the bugs reach their destinations, they "warm up" to their task.
U.S. airlines, however, need to be greener. They recycle only a fraction of passenger trash. According to a 2010 report by the nonprofit, environmental group "Green America", each passenger leaves an average of 1.3 pounds of trash. Although 75% of that is recyclable, only 20% is recycled. In fact, U.S. airlines throw away enough aluminum cans yearly to build 58 Boeing 747's. Green America's best grade for recycling (B-) went to Delta and Virgin America, while United and US Airways got F's. With all the other airlines getting grades in between those, the success of airline recycling is "up in the air".
Breast-feeding saves babies' lives. According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, over 900 babies could be saved annually if 90% of U.S. mothers breast-fed their babies for the first 6 months of life. Breast-feeding helps prevent stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and childhood leukemia. Breast milk not only contains antibodies to fight infection, it can also affect insulin levels, thus helping to prevent diabetes and obesity. Approximately 43% of U.S. mothers do some breast-feeding the first 6 months, but only 12% breast-feed exclusively. Perhaps only 12% have stayed abreast of the advantages.
When babies are involved, there are disadvantages to parents and caregivers blowing on food, sharing utensils and kissing on the mouth. These activities can transfer cavity-causing bacteria via saliva. However, only people with active tooth decay can transfer these bacteria. Teeth are most vulnerable in infants. When teeth first erupt, the enamel is very soft. Because untreated bacteria will colonize and also attack children's permanent teeth, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental evaluations when babies get their first tooth. This is information for parents to sink their teeth into - their healthy teeth.
According to a 2010 government survey, parents also need to know that preteens are much more likely to sniff household products to get high than to smoke marijuana. Among 12-year-olds, inhalant use in 2008 was 6.9%, misuse of prescription drugs was 5.1% and marijuana use was 1.4%. The products abused ranged from air fresheners to shoe polish. They are inexpensive and easy to get. They're also deadly. Inhaling concentrated toxic vapors can damage the liver and other organs, as well as cause "sudden sniffing death". Although sprays containing butane or propane are the most dangerous, none contain the sweet smell of success.
And then there's the problem of childhood obesity. About 25% of U.S. children are obese. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente analyzed the height and weight of 710,949 children ages 2-19 enrolled in their Southern California health plans in 2007 and 2008. They found 7.3% of the boys and 5.5% of the girls were extremely obese. That translates into more than 45,000 children in the study. Health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease and sleep apnea usually seen in 40 to 60-year-olds are being seen in 20-year-olds. Either the excess weight is taken off or 10-20 years can be taken off their life spans.
Between 2007 and 2008 the number of people living in multigenerational homes increased by 2.6 million, equaling 16% of the population. The Pew Research Foundation attributed this increase to three things. One, the bad economy created boomerang children for baby boomer parents and these children moved back in. Two, the baby boomers' parents, who had more children, had more children to potentially live with. Three, multigenerational living was the cultural norm for the increasing immigrant population. Because 2009's home sales were the same as 2000's - in spite of 30 million more people - multigenerational living is obviously closing the generation gap.
Regardless of living arrangements, only 2.5% of the population drives safely while using cell phones. In a Utah University study 200 participants were tested twice in a driving simulator. During the second test they were engaged in a hands-free, cell phone conversation involving memorization and math. For 97.5% of them breaking time decreased 20% and following distance increased 30%. Then there's the 2006 study that found motorists using cell phones while driving were as impaired as drunk drivers and the National Safety Council's estimate that 28% of accidents are caused by drivers using cell phones. Obviously, we're waiting for a wake-up call.
When it comes to television, more Republicans watch sports; but some sports attract more Democrats. This is according to National Media Inc., which worked with the Nielsen and Arbitron rating companies to study more than 200,000 adults. It seems wrestling fans are solidly Democratic, but vote least. Golf fans vote most and are mostly Republicans. College football, NASCAR and hockey attract more Republicans, while baseball, football and college basketball attract only slightly more. More Democrats are attracted to tennis, soccer and basketball. However, both groups watch sports live; and no fast forwarding through commercials makes them both targets for the sport of political advertising.
Both groups are also targets for supersizing, but it's not a new phenomenon. According to a Cornell University study, the portion sizes in paintings of The Last Supper steadily increased between the years 1000 and 2000. Using computer technology to compare 52 paintings, researchers discovered bread size increased 23%, plate size increased 65.6% and entrée size increased 69%. As the production, safety, availability and affordability of food increased, artists reflected the changing times in their paintings. Interestingly, the body mass index of Jesus and his disciples didn't increase - perhaps another miracle.
Cat fur can be used as forensic evidence. In 2010 an international team of scientists established a comprehensive DNA data base of cat fur. DNA samples were collected from hundreds of cats from 25 distinct worldwide populations and 26 breeds. This resulted in 1,394 DNA cat sequences that can be used by criminal investigators. Cat fur, its natural oils and static electricity turn people into fur magnets. Now cat fur collected at a crime scene has the potential to link perpetrators, accessories, witnesses and victims. When it comes to criminals, this technology puts the cat in catch.
The ancient technology of acupuncture may ease dental anxiety. An English study analyzed 20 severely anxious patients from 8 dentists. The patients had needles applied to 2 anxiety/stress points on the top of their heads 5 minutes before their dental procedures and the needles remained through the procedures. The median pre-procedure anxiety score on the Beck Anxiety Inventory was a severe 26.5. The median post-procedure score was a mild 11.5. Although 5% of the Western world's population experience severe dental anxiety and 20%-30% experience moderate anxiety, 60% of the people in the study had the fear of "Open wide" significantly reduced.
Fees paid by fertility companies to egg donors have significantly increased, exceeding guidelines. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine $5,000 payments need justification and $10,000 payments are inappropriate. Nevertheless, out of more than 100 egg donor ads in 300 college newspapers, approximately 50% had fees above $5,000 and 25% had fees above $10,000. The guidelines also say compensation shouldn't vary because of donors' "ethnic or other personal characteristics", but the majority of ads contained appearance or ethnicity requirements; and higher fees were offered for high SAT scores and top college attendance. It seems ego can be spelled with 2 g's.
Brand in the Hand is a California-based company that spells out advertising on airline snack bags, beverage cups and cocktail napkins. Considering 600 million people flew in the United States in 2009, there's a large, captive audience for "hand-delivered billboards". Free snacks - at least those that remain free - remain a positive part of air travel. They make travelers more receptive to companies like Hilton Garden Inns advertising on Delta's peanut and pretzel bags. Interestingly, Brand in the Hand is a division of a company providing several major airlines with snack food - now known as food for thought.
Vitamin D is necessary to activate the immune system's killer T cells. According to a study published in the journal Nature Immunology, when T cells are exposed to foreign pathogens or infections, they extend antennas known as vitamin D receptors. If T cells can't find enough vitamin D in the blood, they remain dormant - unaware of possible dangers. Most vitamin D is made by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight; but because people are staying indoors more, almost 50% of the world's population is vitamin D deficient. It seems our weeks need more "sundays".
What we need less of is junk food. It's addictive. For 40 days researchers at Scripps Research Institute fed some rats lab chow, others got access to high-fat junk food 1 hour daily and 11 rats got access to junk food 23 hours daily. The 11 rats - like people addicted to cocaine or heroin - needed bigger fixes of junk food to stay high, causing compulsive eating and obesity. Their addiction also triggered the same brain responses that lead to drug addiction. Because losing control over behavior is the principal sign of addiction, this study "ratted on" the effect of junk food.
The effect of loneliness is higher blood pressure. Researchers at the University of Chicago surveyed 229 people ages 50-68. They were asked to rank their feelings about social relationship statements. After accounting for features like smoking, physical activity, body mass index, cardiovascular health and depression, as well as factoring in age, race, ethnicity and gender, the findings were the same. During the 5-year study, those participants who ranked loneliest had blood pressure levels 14.4 points higher than those ranked least lonely and they experienced greater blood pressure increases during the study. Unfortunately, loneliness creates a new type of "pressure group".
Fortunately, one-third of breast cancer in Western countries may be avoidable. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In 2009 there were more than 190,000 new cases in the U.S. and 40,000 deaths. According to a 2010 international conference on breast cancer, women can do 3 things to lower risk. First, lose weight. Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue. Second, exercise. Exercise converts fat tissue to muscle. Third, drink less alcohol. More than 2 drinks a day increases risk of breast cancer 4%-10%. Obviously, a key to health is healthy living.
