Snoring can affect young children’s
behavior. A study published in the journal Pediatrics divided 249 children in 3
groups at ages 2 and 3. “Non-snorers” snored less than once a week, “transient
snorers” snored more than twice a week at age 2 or 3 and “persistent snorers”
snored more than twice a week at both age 2 and 3. At age three 35% of the
persistent snorers were at risk for behavior problems including hyperactivity,
depression and inattention. Sleep-related breathing disorders that disrupt
children’s sleep also affect their learning and development. A child’s snore is
literally a “wake-up call”.
Cartoon stickers affect children’s
food choices. In a study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent
Medicine, cookies and apples were offered to 208 children ages 8-11 at suburban
and rural schools every lunch for a week. When the snacks weren’t marked, 91%
of the children chose a cookie and 24% chose an apple. When Elmo stickers were
put on the apples, 37% of the children chose apples. Because manufacturers
often put cartoon stickers on cookie and candy packaging, perhaps schools
should use similar stickers on fruits and vegetables. At home perhaps parents
should use similar "sticktoitiveness" on fruits and vegetables too.
About 17% of American high school
students drink, smoke or use dugs at school. That’s according to the National
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse’s 2012 survey of 1,000 children ages
12-17. Teens whose parents are laid back about drugs or tobacco are
significantly likelier to smoke or drink. Teens left alone overnight are also
significantly likelier to use alcohol, marijuana and tobacco. However, teens
who attend religious services on a regular basis are less likely to use illegal
substances or tobacco. Parents need to stay involved in their children’s lives
– not as friends - but as “lifeguards”.
However, the biggest health problem
for American children is inactivity. That’s the finding of the 2012 University
of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll. Not enough exercise is
considered children’s biggest problem by 39% of adults. Childhood obesity was
the second biggest problem (38%) followed by tobacco use (34%), drug abuse
(33%) and bullying (29%). In 2011 childhood obesity was considered the biggest
problem and “not enough opportunities for physical activities” didn’t make the
top 10. This change is attributed to recent public health messages. If parents
want to communicate with their children, maybe they should use public messages.
On behalf of the military, scientists have invented men's briefs that are able to save lives. Electronic biosensors are printed on the waistband of the briefs. Because the waistbands will be in constant contact with skin, the underwear can measure blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs. In the future wearable biosensors will be available to the general public to be used in home-based health management. They can be used to monitor the elderly and to monitor for potential strokes, diabetic changes, blood alcohol levels, etc. Wearable biosensors will provide a 21st century way of "briefing" doctors.
For a 2-week period in June 2010 a billboard in North Carolina smelled - another 21st century invention. The billboard showed a fork piercing a piece of meat and emitted the smell of both charcoal and black pepper. A high-powered fan at the base of the billboard spread the smell by blowing air over scented cartridges. According to a Bloom grocery chain spokesperson, the scents would be blown at 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. - commuting times. The billboard was promoting a new line of beef products available at Bloom grocery stores. If the billboard was successful, Bloom is sill smelling "cents".
By 2011 there will be flying cars - that's according to the Terrafugia Corporation in Massachusetts. The "Transition" is a car-plane with wings that unfold in one minute for flying and fold back up for driving. The plane is designed to fly under 10,000 feet, has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds including fuel and passengers and gets about 30 mpg when being driven as a car. The Transition's base price is $194,000. Options like a radio, transponder and GPS are extra. Another option is a full-plane parachute - especially handy if this invention doesn't meet the manufacturer's high hopes.
By 2015 Italian industrial designers, Marina Colombo and Sebastiano Vida, plan to launch their superyacht - super because it will also be a submarine. This aerodynamic vessel will be equipped with integrated systems of stabilization and its hybrid engine will switch from diesel to electric propulsion when it submerges. Among other luxuries the 218 feet "U-010 Undersea Yacht" will have a relaxation parlor, sauna, lounge bar and spiral staircase. However, constraints in design in order to build a cruising yacht that can also withstand the pressures of a deep sea environment could result in this futuristic yacht/sub being sub-standard.
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.
According to a 2001-2006 government health survey of approximately 3,000 children who'd been given blood tests, at least 20% of children aged 1 to 11 don't get enough vitamin D. That puts them at risk for weak bones, infections, diabetes and some cancers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children have 400 units of vitamin D daily. Because many children don't drink 4 cups of fortified milk a day or eat lots of fish or spend enough time outside to get vitamin d from the sun, vitamin D supplementation is recommended. It's the D parents will want their children to get.
According to both nutritionists and scientists, Americans have a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids. They are called essential fatty acids because they have to come from our diet - our bodies don't make them. Omega-3 is necessary for the development of a healthy brain. It also lowers the risk of heart disease, arthritis and cancer. It even fights wrinkles. Fish like salmon, tuna and halibut are rich in omega-3 fatty acids because they eat microscopic, ocean plants and seaweed. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in the green leaves of plants. That they originate in fish is a fish story.
Again, according to both nutritionists and scientists, Americans consume too much omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 is also an essential fatty acid. It also originates in plants - but in plant seeds. Human tissue needs the right mix of Omega-3 and Omega-6 because too much Omega-6 blocks Omega-3 from entering cells, causing blood clots and inflammation. Omega-6 is in vegetable seed oils. It's also put in processed foods to prevent rancidity. As Americans' intake of Omega-6 has increased, so have heart disease, arthritis and cancer. Obesity has also increased. Omega-6 fatty acids are in belly fat - the fat associated with "fat-ality".
According to a study by physiologists at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, more protein doesn't mean more muscle. Healthy adults in their 30's and late 60's were randomly assigned to eat 4 ounces or 12 ounces of lean beef in one sitting. Blood tests and muscle biopsies showed that eating 12 ounces didn't build more muscle. Only the first 4 ounces of lean beef, chicken, soy or dairy products turns into muscle. To gain muscle mass protein foods should be spread throughout the day. An increased number of smaller portions is the meat of the matter.
According to a study published in the "British Journal of Psychiatry", children who eat too much candy become violent as adults. More than 17,000 children born in 1970 were studied for almost 40 years. Of the children who ate candy daily at age 10, 69% were arrested for a violent offense by age 34. It wasn't the candy that caused the violence. Supposedly parents who use candy to bribe children to be good are teaching them to want immediate gratification, which supposedly leads to impulsive behavior and violence. Nevertheless, parents are free to consider this study to be sweet nothings.
According to a study published in the online journal "PLoS One", people become more alert to potential threat when breathing stress sweat. Stress sweat was taken from 144 people who tandem skydived for the first time. Twice samples of stress sweat and sweat from treadmill runners were given to 8 men and 8 women whose brains were being scanned. Although participants couldn't distinguish the sweats by smell, the stress sweat caused more activity in a brain area associated with emotion. In fact, discriminating between pictures of neutral and angry faces when breathing stress sweat was - no sweat.
According to a study done at Carolina State University, however, burning paraffin-based candles releases toxic chemicals into the air. Paraffin candles are petroleum-based. When they're burned, they release toluene, which can affect the nervous system and when inhaled in large doses by pregnant women, can cause birth defects. Paraffin candles also release benzene, which has been linked to cancer - especially leukemia. Although the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about candles causing indoor pollution, it hasn't set standards for candle emissions. However, vegetable-based candles don't emit toxins; so you can breath easy.
According to research published in "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery", certain behaviors make people look older. The research - based on 186 sets of identical twins - found that a twin who drank looked older than the non-drinking twin because excessive alcohol had damaged blood vessels and collagen. Every 10 years of smoking added 2.5 years to the smoking twin's looks. Unprotected UV exposure caused the exposed twin to have wrinkled, mottled skin. A divorced twin looked an average 1.7 years older than the married or single twin, but surprisingly a widowed twin looked 2 years younger. Of course, for those without an identical twin for mirror imaging, there are mirrors.
Police talk changed to code in the 1920's because of the scarcity of radio channels. Police had to get on and off the air quickly. It was also thought codes would provide privacy. Not anymore. In fact, the differences in local codes cause confusion. For example, an Independence, Missouri police dispatcher used plain English - instead of 10/33 - when radioing the Highway Patrol that one of their officers was down. To the highway Patrol 10/33 meant traffic backup. In 2006 the Department of Homeland Security asked law enforcement agencies to voluntarily talk in plain English, but some still use "double talk".
In plain English, a study done by 2 researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that women have become less happy than men. In spite of the progress brought by the feminist movement 35 years ago, women's happiness has been declining over the past 3 decades, while men's happiness has remained stable or slightly increased. The study took into consideration women's age, marital status, labor force participation and whether they had children. Although the study found that the unhappiness gap covered all demographics, further research is necessary to find out why. And why aren't men less happy? Perhaps because of women.
There are more than 100 million men and women using electric bicycles in China - about 4 times the number using private cars. Although E-bikes are also popular in Europe, they're just catching on in the U.S. About 200,000 sold in 2008. E-bikes have a small motor and a throttle. By law they can't have more than 1 horsepower or go faster than 20 mph on motor power. E-bikes range in price from a few hundred to more than $13,000. They're supposedly for customers wanting comfortable, green transportation - but in a down economy E-bikes make going up hill easier.
Boston Beer Co., maker of Samuel Adams beer, teamed with Weihenstephan, the renowned German brewery, to make a new beer. The 2-year project resulted in a yet unnamed beer that will be 10% alcohol instead of the usual 4%-7% and be bottled with a cork instead of a metal cap. It will also be brewed following Germany's purity law, allowing only 4 ingredients - water, malt, hops and yeast. When it's released in 2010, the 2 brewers hope their premium, craft beer will win over more wine and spirits drinkers. That may depend on what's brewing economically.
For those confused by the stock market, there are simpler indicators of an improved economy. According to a restaurant advisory consultant, large piles of garbage behind restaurants mean people are eating out again. According to a chief economist, people wear bright colors when they’re confident. Because men’s ties are an inexpensive way to change a wardrobe, men wear pink or fuchsia ties. According to a market research analyst, because jeans are relatively inexpensive, they’re one of the first things customers buy. Obviously, men in restaurants wearing pink or fuchsia ties with jeans would indicate a strong economy.
Economically challenged U.S. cities are using parking fines to help balance budgets. New York City made approximately $600 million in parking ticket revenue in 2008 – about 50% more than in 2002 – requiring the hiring of 200 new citation officers. Atlanta outsourced its parking enforcement to a private company. Instead of Atlanta’s usual $2 million in fines, the company promised the city $5.5 million. Washington, D.C. has put cameras on street sweepers to take pictures of cars parked in their path, hoping to earn an extra $2 million annually. It seems ticketing has become a “fine art”.
Business at bordellos in Berlin – where prostitution is legal – is down in the down economy. Locals aren’t spending as much and fewer potential customers are coming to Berlin on business. Nevertheless, “Maison d’Envie” (House of Desire) has found a way to improve its business. Customers who support the area’s popular green movement by not coming to the bordello by car get a 5-euro ($7.50) discount. To qualify for the discount, customers must show the receptionist a bicycle padlock key or proof they’d used public transportation. Because walking can’t be proven, there is no discount for walkers – but this hasn’t caused a “walkout”.
Snails, however, seem recession proof in 2009’s economy. In Bulgaria, the European Union’s poorest country, snail farmers can’t keep up with the demand. Although France and Italy are their biggest customers, there are orders from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Japan wants fattened snails; Dubai wants the new, orange, carotene snails; and orders for baby snails will likely reach 1 billion. About 900 tons of snails and snail products will be exported in 2009 - 6 times more than in 2008. Presently Bulgaria has 50 snail farms, but 300 more are expected to open in 2010. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy improves at a snail’s pace.
In 2005 a manure fire started in a Nebraska feed lot, spread and burned for months. Manure stored in bags on a truck in Texas started a deadly fire. It seems that as manure breaks down, it produces both methane and hydrogen sulfide gases. If this happens in extremely hot weather, spontaneous combustion can occur. The manure can explode and catch fire. Exploding manure isn’t uncommon on farms and isn’t an uncommon cause of wildfires. Now knowing the danger of combining manure with hot air, it’s surprising that Washington, D.C. isn’t always exploding into flames.
In 2007 the painting “Profile of the Bella Principessa” was bought on behalf of a Swiss collector for $19.000. That was approximately the amount paid for the painting at auction by the gallery owner 11 years before. However, what was thought to be a 19th century, German painting is actually a painting by Leonardo da Vinci worth more than $150 million. Authenticity was proven by a digital scanner, which found the print of an index or middle finger on the painting. That fingerprint matched Leonardo’s fingerprint on his painting “St Jerome” in the Vatican. Who knew Leonardo da Vinci finger painted?
In 2009 the discovery of a vegetarian spider was published in “Current Biology”. Unlike the other 40,000 species of spiders known to science that are meat-eaters, 2 scientists working independently of each other in Costa Rica and Mexico discovered a neotropical jumping spider that eats leaf tips of acacia trees. Previously it had been thought that the stinging ants which feed on the melon-like acacia food protected the trees from all other plant-eaters. However, the eyesight, agility and cognitive skill of the “Bagheera kiplingi” allow it to avoid the ants. For arachnophobiacs this discovery unfortunately has legs.
In 2009 who knew NASA was running out of plutonium-238? Because plutonium-238 was a byproduct of the Cold War, none has been made since the 1980’s. NASA has enough for the next Mars Rover and the next major mission to outer planets, but the heat which is given off by plutonium-238 and converted into electricity is essential for future space missions that are too far from the sun for solar power. When or if Congress approves $30 million to restart production, it will take 8 years to make the 11 pounds NASA needs yearly. Thus the future of outer-planet space travel is left up in the air.
According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 10% of high school students eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. The 2009 report was based on a 2007 national survey of approximately 100,000 high school students. The report found 32% had the recommended 2 servings of fruit and 13% had the recommended 3 servings of vegetables. Adults did only moderately better. A survey of adults found 33% met the fruit requirement and 27% met the vegetable requirement. Potato chips are America’s favorite snack, but unfortunately they don’t count as a vegetable.
According to 2 studies using similar data, smoking bans reduce heart attacks. Inhaling smoke causes blood clotting, which causes heart attacks. Non-smokers who inhale smoke at home or work have a 25%-30% higher risk of heart attacks. American, Canadian and European cities that have imposed smoking bans averaged 17% fewer heart attacks in the first year and averaged 26% fewer in the third year. In 2005 there were 1.26 million heart attacks in the U.S., causing approximately 445,687 deaths. These studies suggest a nationwide smoking ban in public and workplaces could prevent 100,000-225,000 heart attacks yearly and keep peoples’ lives from going up in smoke.
According to a study published in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”, a bad economy can be good for health. Between the years of 1920 and 1940, mortality decreased and life expectancy increased only during the recessions of 1921 and 1938 and during the Great Depression (1929-1933). Heart and kidney disease, as well as traffic accidents, also decreased during those 7 years. During the recessions of the 1980’s and 1990’s – both in the U.S. and other countries – mortality also decreased. This study should at least reassure people who say that recession is killing them.
According to research done at the University of Rochester in 2009, nature makes us nicer. In 3 experiments volunteers were shown pictures on a 19-inch computer screen – half were shown pictures of buildings, roads and cityscapes and half were shown pictures of landscapes, lakes and deserts. In a fourth experiment some volunteers worked in a room with houseplants and some worked in a room without houseplants. In all experiments, those of the 370 volunteers who were exposed to nature rated close relationships and community more important than they had before the study. It seems niceness can be a “natural resource”.
According to a study of more than 2,500 toddlers published in the journal “Child Development”, spanking may be harmful to both behavior and mental development, having long-lasting effects. Toddlers don’t understand enough about right and wrong or punishment. One-year-olds who were spanked tended to behave more aggressively at age 2 and didn’t perform as well at age 3 on a test measuring thinking skills. Parents who spank are more likely to be younger, less educated, single, depressed and/or stressed. Parents who were spanked are most likely to spank. Unfortunately, it becomes do unto others as they did unto you.
According to Harvard research, few states require child-care providers to meet specific requirements for nutrition and physical activity necessary for fitness. This contributes to the fact that one-fifth of four-year-olds representing all demographics are obese. Because approximately three-fourths of children ages 2 to 5 spend at least part of their day in child care, that care has to change. As of January 2009 Delaware, Georgia, Alaska and Nevada had made the most changes in child-care licensing requirements. Idaho and Louisiana had made the least. The other 44 states fell somewhere in between – which is an unhealthy state for America’s preschoolers.
According to a first-of-its-kind study done at the University of Illinois, classmate putdowns make it harder for good students to learn and for not-so-good students to catch up. Using U.S. Department of Education data on more than 10,000 sophomores in more than 650 high schools, 20% said they were verbally putdown by other students. Although boys experience putdowns more than girls and African American students who consider themselves good students experience putdowns most, the problem exists in both public and private schools. One thing students shouldn’t have to learn in school is how to put up with putdowns.
According to 2 studies published in “Pediatrics”, teenagers with their own car or free use of a car are much likelier to crash than teenagers who share a car. Of more than 2,000 teenagers studied, teens who had to ask for keys, had specific driving rules and had their whereabouts monitored had half as many crashes. They were also 71% less likely to drive drunk and 30% less likely to use a cell phone while driving. Car crashes are the #1 cause of death for American teenagers, killing more than 5,000 every year. Seemingly, parental involvement is the key to safe teenage driving.
