Even ‘light’ physical activity is linked to a lower risk of early death
A study published in the BMJ found the important thing is to get up and move — and to do it regularly and often. That also means not sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Health
Breaking a gender myth: Women are not better at multitasking than men
“Using robust data to challenge these sorts of myths is important,” sociologist Leah Ruppaner says, “especially given that women continue to be bombarded with work, family and household tasks.”
Having adult children can increase emotional well-being — if they’re out of the house, study finds
Interestingly, the effect of grandchildren on the lives of the people who took the survey was mixed.
Routine hits to the head, not just concussions, may cause brain damage in football players, study finds
“It’s close to being settled science that repetitive head hits are their own source of permanent damage to the brain, independent of concussions,” said senior author Brad Mahon.
FDA proposes graphic health warnings for cigarette packaging
Research has shown that realistic warnings — ones with color illustrations or photos that graphically show the potential health consequences of smoking — can motivate existing smokers to quit and prevent young people from starting to smoke.
Q&A: U of M’s Michael Osterholm calls for national leadership to address CWD
“We need to do hunter education as to why they should be testing their animals, and we need to devise new and better tests,” said Michael Osterholm. “That’s the kind of research that we need to support.”
Taking a ‘digital-free’ vacation can be an emotional roller coaster, researchers report
Most of the volunteers first went through a period of digital “withdrawal,” marked by anxiety and feelings of frustration. Those negative emotions eventually gave way to acceptance, enjoyment and even “liberation.”
Eating a mostly plant-based diet linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease
The study’s participants come from four U.S. communities, including Minneapolis.
It’s bat season. Here’s what you need to know about rabies in Minnesota.
In spite of the fear it inspires, rabies is not common in Minnesota.
Walkability — not proximity — is key to whether people use parks and other neighborhood green spaces, study finds
People are unlikely to visit their neighborhood park often unless they perceive the park to be easy and safe to get to on foot, the study found.
Taking heart-healthy actions at midlife linked to a lower risk of dementia
Changes in the brain associated with dementia can start 15 to 20 years before any clinical symptoms appear.
Fast-food outlets along commuting routes linked to higher BMIs
The finding underscores the role that “built environments” — the structures and features in our communities — play in the obesity epidemic.
Major U.S. medical groups urge policymakers to take action on reducing gun violence
The organizations urge public officials to implement a number of steps to reduce gun violence, including background checks for all firearm purchases and the elimination of “physician gag laws.”
1 in 10 older adults are binge drinkers, study finds
The researchers found that older binge drinkers were more likely to be men and to be smokers and users of cannabis.
‘No causal evidence’ that video games — even ‘gruesome and grisly’ ones — lead to violence
“There’s absolutely no causal evidence that violent video game play leads to aggression in the real world,” said Andrew Przbylski, one of the authors of an Oxford University study.
Americans’ confidence in scientists rises, but so does partisan divide
In 2019, 86 percent of Americans had at least “a fair amount” of confidence that scientists act in the public interest — up three percentage points from the previous year.
A well-timed warm bath or shower can lead to better sleep, study suggests
The analysis found that the optimum time to take a shower, bath or footbath was one to two hours before going to bed.
Marital infidelity linked to professional misconduct, study suggests
The finding was true for all four groups looked at in the study — police officers, financial advisers, white-collar criminals and corporate executives.
Flooring, beds and football top list of products/activities that cause traumatic brain injuries in children
Most nonfatal TBIs in children are the result of falls, motor vehicle crashes, being struck by a moving or stationery object, and assault. Football was the leading cause of TBIs among 15- to 19-year-olds.
More trees, not more grass, are associated with wellness and well-being, study suggests
“Our findings suggest that urban greening strategies with a remit for supporting community mental health should prioritize the protection and restoration of urban tree canopy,” the researchers concluded.
