KNIGHT WATCH

ARE THERE NEW IDEAS FOR OLDER PEOPLE?

Aerobic exercise improves seniors’ memories. The hippocampus, located in the center of the brain, encodes new information to be remembered later. As part of aging, the hippocampus shrinks. However, in a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 healthy, sedentary people ages 60-80 were divided into 2 groups. The hippocampuses of those in the light-strengthening group decreased in volume about 1.5%. The hippocampuses of those in the aerobic group increased about 2%. That’s similar to turning back the clock 2 years. Those in the aerobic group also briskly “walked of with” better spatial memory.

Seniors can also prevent the decrease in muscle mass that’s part of aging. According to research published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, resistance exercise – like lifting weights – strains muscles and sets in motion the body’s muscle-building response, which builds fiber and increases muscle mass. The greater the intensity of the weightlifting program, the greater the results. Muscle loss can be reversed and new muscle can be built. Muscle strength and balance help prevent falls – one of the most common reasons seniors are hospitalized. So … when seniors go to the gym, they’re “muscle-bound”.

Seniors, however, can’t prevent the decrease in their ability to multitask. Another study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences used MRI’s to compare brain activity in 20 healthy adults – average age 69 – to 22 healthy younger people - ages 18-32. The participants were interrupted during a memory task by another task and then asked to return to the memory task. Older adults experienced more difficulty reestablishing the neural network associated with the original task. It seems the decline in multitasking ability is a natural part of aging. What doesn’t seem natural is it starts in our 20’s and 30’s!

What hopefully will become increasingly natural are “villages” – neighbor-helping-neighbor systems that enable seniors to stay in their homes. Villages are run primarily by neighborhood volunteers and funded by grants and membership fees running from $25 to $600 or more a year – depending on the services offered. Services include transportation, grocery delivery, home repairs, gardening and dog walking. Beacon Hill Village in Boston was started in 2001 and now there are more than 50 villages nationwide. Considering 90% of the population wants to stay in their homes and 19% of the population will be 65 or older by 2050, “it takes a village”.

 

IS THERE AN APTITUDE TEST FOR CRIMINALS?

Some people aren’t cut out for a life of crime. For example, a man walked into a branch bank in a Rhode Island supermarket. The would-be robber gave a note written on a torn paper plate to a teller. The note read, “This is a robbery”. So far so good; but the quick-thinking teller put down the security curtain, told the man the bank was closing and closed the security screen door. The man then walked away. When found, he’ll be charged with attempted robbery. If you could be charged with bad judgment, lots of politicians would be serving life terms.

Twenty-five-year-old Jonathan Tyrone Huntley hopefully will consider another type of work when he gets out of jail. He was arrested for a home invasion robbery in Charlotte, North Carolina. When he and his unknown accomplice broke into the house, the owners were present. The man struggled with the suspects as they fled with a wallet and jewelry. Two days later Huntley turned himself in. He realized his t-shirt had fallen out of his car as they were making their getaway. The t-shirt displayed the slogan, “Making money is my thang”, as well as the suspect’s photo. Basically, Huntley was “photo finished”.

Then there was the New Jersey man who proved crime doesn’t pay – debts. Fifty-eight-year-old Irwin Krakow was given 2 choices to pay a lost bet – run down the street naked or steal $50-worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart. He chose the latter. He stole a USB card, 2 spoons, a nutcracker, a decorative tree and several t-shirts – for a grand total of about $43. After not stealing enough things to pay the bet and then being arrested for shoplifting, Krakow wished he had streaked instead. The fine would have been much less for public nudity. That’s a “bare fact”.

Finally, dogs of various breeds are used by police officers to detect a variety of illegal drugs. In this particular case the dog was a pit bull mix. After the police pulled over the driver of a pick-up truck, the dog prevented the suspect from hiding a sock filled with both marijuana and hashish. In fact, after grabbing the sock from the man, the dog tossed it out the truck’s passenger-side window. No, this 32-year-old man who was indicted on drug possession charges was not cut out to be a criminal. The dog that made the drug bust was his.

 

DO WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY?

Baseball has been played since the 1860’s. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that researchers determined pitchers were more likely to “bean” a batter in hot weather. A study published in the journal Psychological Science analyzed data from more than 57.000 Major League baseball games from 1952 to 2009. If the temperature was in the 50’s, there was a 22% chance a pitcher would hit a batter when a pitch had hit a teammate. If the temperature was in the 90’s, the chance was 27%. It seems that uncomfortably hot weather increases the need for retribution. Pitchers are likelier to be “hotheaded”.

Dollar bills are made of 75% cotton and 25% linen – and as of 2011 the price of raw cotton was at a 140-year high. In 2010 the cost of making one note was 50% higher than in 2008. In 2010 the government produced 6.4 billion new currency notes, each costing 9.6 cents. In 2008 each cost 6.4 cents. Unfortunately, paper made out of wood pulp – the paper used in newspapers, books and cereal boxes – isn’t strong enough to produce durable currency. However, the value of cotton dollar bills may seem to shrink because they come out of “Washing-ton”.

Hospital checklists are used by about 20% of U.S. hospitals. The 5-point list reminds doctors and nurses of basic steps, such as washing hands and cleaning a patient’s skin with chlorhexidine antiseptic. Nurses are empowered to stop a procedure if the list isn’t being followed. According to a study done for the federal government, the checklist helps reduce the infections that kill 31,000 patients yearly. A study published in the journal Health Affairs concluded 1 in every 3 patients is temporarily harmed or even killed by a hospital mistake related to medications, procedures and infections. Obviously, patients need to be “well”-advised.

Political views are related to different brain structures. In a study published in Current Biology, 90 university students were questioned about their political views before having brain scans. According to the study, different political views were demonstrated by different personality traits. The students with self-reported liberal views tended to have a larger anterior cingulate cortex – a brain area involved in processing conflicting information. Those with conservative views were likelier to have a larger amygdala – a brain area important to recognizing threats. However, a brain can change based on a person’s experience – an adaptation called neuroplasticity. For neuroscientists that’s a “no-brainer”.

 

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE UNITED STATES?

The United States was ranked state-by-state for peacefulness by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The 2011 ranking was based on 5 indicators: homicide rates, violent crimes, percentage of population in jail, number of police officers and availability of small arms. On that basis the institute found peace improved 8% overall from 1995 to 2009. Maine was ranked most peaceful based on 3 indicators: violent crimes, number of police officers and incarceration rate. New Hampshire was ranked #2; Vermont, #3; Minnesota, #4; and North Dakota, #5. Louisiana was ranked the least peaceful state – which leaves Louisianans in a “state of shock”.

The United States was also ranked state-by-state for the best state in which to make a living. The Web site MoneyRates based its 2011 ranking on unemployment, average wages, tax rates and cost of living to find where to live most comfortably after state taxes and fixed expenses. Illinois ranked #1 with an adjusted average income of $41,987. Washington was #2 with an adjusted average income of $41,456, Texas was #3 with $41,427, Virginia was #4 with $41,120 and Delaware was #5 with $39,105. Hawaii - with an adjusted average income of  $22,108 - was ranked #50. Unfortunately, that’s not a “mis-state-ment”.

The United States used to be the only country with more than 100 billionaires. That changed in 2011. China has 115 and Russia has 101. Two other records were also broken: number of billionaires – 1,210 and combined wealth - $4.5 trillion. Brazil, China, India and Russia produced 108 of the 214 new billionaires. In fact, they are home to 25% of them – up from 10% in 2006. The world’s richest person is Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helu with $74 billion, followed by Bill Gates with $56 billion and Warren Buffet with $50 billion. Obviously, the billionaire list is a new type of “Rich-ter” scale.

Finally, the United States ranked #6 out of 139 countries for competitiveness in travel and tourism. That’s according to the World Economic Forum’s 2011 report. The report measures factors like health and safety, infrastructure, prices, culture and environmental protection. Although the U.S ranked #1 for natural resources, its environmental sustainability ranking was #105. Switzerland was #1 overall. In spite of being #127 for price competiveness, Switzerland was ranked high for safety and security, transportation, infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Rounding out the top 5 were Germany, France, Austria and Sweden. Considering a vacation? Maybe “You-rope”.

 

ARE WOMEN BEATING THE PERCENTAGES?

Six percent more babies were born to women over 40 between 2007 and 2009. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 9.5 births for every thousand women ages 40-44 in 2007. In 2009 there were 10.1. Birth rates for every other age group declined. Fertility rates also declined for all major racial groups, with Hispanic women having the largest decline – 9%. After a record 4.3 million births in 2007, the number dropped 4% to 4.1 million in 2009. Fewer babies means women have more time to “baby” themselves.

Forty percent of women who had childhood migraines gained at least 22 pounds after age 18 versus 30% of women who hadn’t had migraines. In a study published in the journal Headache, researchers analyzed data from approximately 3,700 women. They were asked their height and weight at 18 and before pregnancy and if they’d had migraines. Seventeen percent of normal-weight women had childhood migraines, while 25% of obese women had them. However, a 2009 study showed heavy children who lost weight started having fewer headaches. It seems childhood weight problems can “come to a head” in adulthood.

Fifty to 80% percent of women experience hot flashes. They coincide with a reduction in estrogen and relate to instability in the skin’s blood vessels. A study published in the journal Menopause suggests hot flashes protect the heart. Researchers reviewed medical information from 60,000 women and tracked them for 10 years. Women who had hot flashes at the outset of menopause had 17% lower risk of stroke, 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and 8% lower risk of death than women who didn’t have them or had them later in menopause. For many women this is a “hot flash” of news.

Seventy-nine percent of women – average age 25 – said they wanted to lose weight, although 78% of them were normal weight or underweight. According to this 2011 British survey of approximately 320 undergraduates, 16 % said they would trade a year of their life for a perfect body, 10 % said they would trade 2-5 years and 2% said up to 10 years. Many women were willing to make other trades for an ideal body. Thirteen percent would trade $8,138 yearly in salary; 8%, a promotion; and 6%, earning a degree with honors. Considering what the women were willing to trade, the survey sounds like a “weighting game”.

 

IS WHAT'S GOOD FOR US GETTING BETTER?

The Mediterranean Diet – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish, poultry, olive oil and alcohol in moderation – lowers the risk of heart disease, as well as cancer. Now a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that it also lowers the risk of “metabolic syndrome”, which is a set of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance. Fifty million Americans supposedly have metabolic syndrome; and with its prevalence increasing worldwide, why isn’t the Mediterranean Diet more popular? “It’s Greek to me”.

Coffee may reduce the risk of stroke, stroke being the third leading cause of death in the U.S. – behind heart disease and cancer. A study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association followed 34,670 women ages 49-83 for an average of 10 years. According to the results, women who drank more than 1 cup of coffee daily had a 22%-25% lower risk of stroke than women who drank less. A study done on men in 2008 had similar results. However, smokers experienced the least reduction in the risk of stroke. That’s where the benefit of a coffee break was – broken.

Meditation can reduce sensitivity to pain. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, 15 men and women were mildly burned before and after four 20-minute meditation trainings over 4 days. The second time they received 120-degree heat on their calves they rated the pain, on average, as 57% less unpleasant and 40% less intense. The type of meditation used focused on breathing or a chanted mantra. Brain scans showed that meditation both reduced the sensation of pain and helped control the perception of pain. It seems making time to learn how to meditate wouldn’t be a “pain in the neck”.

Aspirin was originally used to relieve pain, but studies have shown it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and reoccurring breast cancer. A study presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research showed aspirin might also reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. Of the 1,224 healthy people in the study, those who took aspirin monthly had a 26% lower risk of pancreatic cancer. Those who took low-dose aspirin regularly for preventing heart disease had a 35% lower risk. Perhaps it’s an aspirin a day – not an apple – that keeps the doctor away.

 

WHAT DO THEY KNOW THAT WE DON'T?

Working long hours may increase our heart attack risk. A new analysis of “Whitehall ll” - which followed more than 7,000 healthy, middle-aged civil servants in the UK for an average of 12 years - was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. People who worked an average of 11 or more hours daily had a 67% higher risk of heart attack or death from heart disease. Those who worked 10-11 hours had a 45% higher risk. Working long hours is an indicator of an unhealthy lifestyle – of stress, lack of exercise and takeout food – of working ourselves to death.

We are forgetful when we’re happy. A University of Missouri study assessed the moods of 180 college students before and after half watched a comedy video for 15 minutes and half watched a home improvement video. The comedy viewers were happier. Then the students were given a memory test – to remember the last 6 numbers in a list of 12-20 single-digit numbers without knowing how many numbers were in the list. Although the test was repeated 18 times per student, the happy students had more difficulty focusing on one thing. Perhaps that’s the success of “happy hours”.

If we are attractive, we’re happier. That’s according to economists at the University of Texas at Austin who study the interrelationship of looks, success and money. The economists reviewed 5 large, international studies that included more than 25,000 participants whose attractiveness was assessed by set guidelines. They concluded that good-looking men are happier primarily because of indirect, economic benefits - higher earnings, better-looking and higher-earning spouses, ease of getting loans, etc. For women, however, indirect benefits account for only half of the effect of beauty on happiness. The other half is direct – better-looking women just feel happier. At least that is how it “looks” to those economists.

The best years of our lives may be in our 80’s because it’s easier to be happy. According to the book “You Are Looking Very Well” by Lewis Wolpert, professor emeritus of biology at University College London, people become increasingly cheerful and optimistic after their mid-40’s until their late 70’s or 80’s. This is due to maturity, fewer responsibilities and focusing on things that really matter. A study by the American Academy of Sciences supports this theory. Other research shows both vocabulary and decision-making improve with age, but math skills worsen – unless we become more “calculating”.

 

IS OBESITY A PROBLEM THAT CAN'T "WEIGHT"?

Both Americans and Canadians have gotten fatter since the late 1980’s, but Americans have gotten even fatter. That’s according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report was based on Body Mass Index – a BMI of 30 or more qualifying as obese – and covered a 3-year period ending in 2009. About 25% of Canadians were obese – 27% of men and 24% of women. In comparison, 33% of Americans were obese – 33% of men and 36% of women. Considering Canada is our neighbor, one might have expected the percentages to be "borderline” close.

The fatter Americans get, the more stress they put on their knees. According to Harvard Researchers, the number of knee replacement surgeries doubled between 1997 and 2007. During the same period, the proportion of obese Americans increased by approximately 15%. When researchers compared 12,355 normal weight, overweight and obese patients, the complications after knee surgery – hospital readmission, leg swelling, bacterial infections, respiratory disorders, neurologic and gastrointestinal problems – were higher for obese patients. The good news is 2 studies showed that after weight loss surgery, knee motion improved and pain decreased. Basically, overweight people “kneed” to lose weight.

What doctors need to do is tell their patients they are overweight. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine analyzed data on approximately 5,500 people. Thirty-three percent of obese participants and 55% of overweight participants had never been told by a doctor that they were overweight. Nearly 20% of the obese people whose doctor hadn’t discussed weight with them described themselves as “not overweight” versus 3% of those whose doctors had discussed it. Because the patients who’d discussed the issue were more than twice as likely to have tried to lose weight the previous year, maybe doctors should have “weighting” rooms.

However, doctors should know that belly fat is not the best predictor of heart disease risk. A study published in the journal Lancet analyzed data from 58 previous studies, including 221,934 people who were followed for 10 years or more. The study’s conclusion was that in spite of previous research, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and Body Mass Index measurements were all similar in their ability to predict both the risk of heart disease and stroke. Excess fat – no matter where it’s located on the body – is unhealthful. Those who had thought their belly fat was more dangerous can now have a belly laugh.

 

WHAT KEEPS RELATIONSHIPS FROM SINKING?

Double dating can improve relationships. A study done at Wayne State University involved 60 heterosexual couples who’d been dating at least a year. Each couple filled out a questionnaire about their relationship. Then each couple spent time with a couple they didn’t know. Half of the couples were given probing questions to discuss and half were given “small talk”. Not only did 10 sets of probers make a date to get together again, but a second questionnaire a month later showed the probing couples felt closer than the small talking couples did. Maybe more probes, less “prob-lems”.

Money is often a problem that affects marriage. According to 2011 research by Cornell University, the more financially independent a woman is, the less eager she is to get married. Workingwomen are 50% more likely to move in with their partner and 15% less likely to marry than women who don’t work steadily. However, men who have above-average salaries are 26% more likely to get married than men with average salaries. Traditionally, men have earned more money than women, but by 2030 researchers believe the average woman will earn more than the average man – and the average marriage won’t be average anymore.

Time together also affects marriage. A 2011 survey of 2,000 British adults discovered the “three-year glitch” – the time when couples started to take each other for granted. The poll compared feedback from those in short-term relationships (less than 3 years) with people who were married or in longer-term partnerships. Sixty-seven percent of all the participants said small irritations became major irritations after about 3 years. For example, those in younger relationships averaged 3 compliments weekly versus 1 compliment weekly after 3 years. However, the top 5 “irritations” were weight gain, money, working hours, hygiene and in-laws - from irritated to irate in 3 years.

The happiest relationships are those of young, married people who haven’t started a family. That’s according to a government-backed, British study tracking 40,000 households for 20 years. The study also found married couples are happier than their cohabitating peers, but women seem to experience a greater decline in happiness than men. The unhappiest relationships are those of couples with preschool children. However, those relationships become happier as the youngest child grows up. Nevertheless, of the 1,268 young people surveyed, 60% were “completely satisfied” with family life. Hopefully, half of that percentage was married to the other half.

 

THIS ALL STARTED WITH A FULL BLADDER?

A full bladder helps us make better decisions. In a study published in Psychological Science, 500 college students were asked to drink 5 cups of water or take 5 sips. After 40 minutes – the time it took the water to reach the bladder – the students were asked to make a choice – a small, but soon-to-be-received reward or a larger, but later-to-be-received reward. Those experiencing strong bladder pressure were much likelier to hold out for the larger reward. It seems inhibitory signals sent to a full bladder affect other inhibitory responses – giving “hold that thought” new meaning.

Full bladder or not, Americans are making better decisions regarding the Internet. We’re not lying as much as we’d expected. A 1996 landmark study found everyone lies an average of 2 times a day. However, a study of e-mail versus phone calls found people were more honest in e-mails. Of course, e-mails can be documented and aren’t real-time communication scenarios – when most people lie. Eighty percent of people lie in online dating profiles, but there were fewer lies in online resumes than in traditional ones – which averaged 3 lies. Nevertheless, why is there a “lie” in believe?

However, Americans aren’t making better decisions about pollution – especially in the 4 cities rated most toxic by Forbes Magazine in 2011. Ratings were based on air quality, water quality, Superfund sites (abandoned areas containing hazardous waste), number of days with Air Quality Indexes over 100 in 2009 and the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory. Having more than 50 Superfund sites, the Philadelphia/Camden/Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical area was #1. Bakersfield, #2 and Fresno, California, #3 had 43 and 29 days respectively with Air Quality Indexes over 100. New York City was #4 primarily because its water rated #3 – after Philadelphia and Fresno. Yes, Forbes puts the “city” in toxicity.

And Americans aren’t making better decisions about sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30% of us get less than 7 hours sleep nightly. As a result, a survey of 1,000 people done by Tempur-Pedic found more than 50% of the participants had fallen asleep in unusual places. Eleven percent had fallen asleep in church, 4% on the bus, 3% in the bathroom, 2% during a meeting and 12% in “other” places. Other places included elevators, court and a graveyard. Then there’s the 22% who had fallen asleep driving. That should be a “wake up” call.