ScienceDaily: Living Well News

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• MLB largely responsible for players' steroid abuse, researcher says
• Child Obesity: Using Attention modification program to decrease overeating in obese children
• Mobile compression device recommended to prevent DVT after joint surgery
• Geographic variation of human gut microbes tied to obesity
• Social norms strongly influence vaccination decisions, the spread of disease
• Survey: Americans struggle with science; respect scientists
• Strategy that narrows academic achievement gap by 63 percent
• Early childhood education can pay big rewards to families, society
• Brain's 'sweet spot' for love found in neurological patient
• Pregnancy study for overweight women leads to fewer high birth weight babies
• Passive smoking impairs children's responses to asthma treatment
• Children living close to fast food outlets more likely to be overweight
• 'Sexy' underwear is not the only way to feel feminine on Valentine's Day
• Stroke survivors often return to driving without being evaluated for ability
• Psychologist shows why talking to kids really matters
• Air pollution increases risk for hypertension in pregnant women
• How gut bacteria communicates within our bodies, builds special relationship
• Is zinc the missing link for osteoarthritis therapies?
• Moderate exercise cuts women's stroke risk, helps offset increase risk from hormone therapy
• Call to scientists: Stop excluding left-handed people from scientific studies
• Breast cancer survivors reap benefits of weight training, study finds
• Could restless sleep cause widespread pain in older people?
• Prenatal vitamin A deficiency tied to postnatal asthma
• Two Parents with Alzheimer's Disease? Disease May Show up Decades Early on Brain Scans
• Train like an Olympian: Six things we can learn from elite athletes
• Buying livestock products: What’s on the consumer's mind?
• Long-term effects of childhood obesity on late-life health revealed by study
• Depressed girls suffer most: Adolescents with psychiatric problems also likely to suffer chronic pain
• Exercise targets cellular powerhouses to improve heart function
• More awareness, fast response key to combatting stroke in children
• Better training needed to help new teachers promote healthy lifestyles to children: U.K. study
• Oregano oil: Could pizza herb prevent winter vomiting disease?
• Business survival 101: Put a woman in charge
• Exhausted? It’s the Perfect Time to Make Health Decisions
• Are you a high achiever? Even the best products might leave you dissatisfied
• Content of our cooperation, not the color of our skin diminishes categorization of people
• Aging and the pursuit of happiness
• Dressing down: Can this actually boost your social status?

MLB largely responsible for players' steroid abuse, researcher says Posted: 14 Feb 2014 05:39 PM PST The widespread use of illegal steroids among Major League Baseball players has been fueled by an "economy of bodily management," the free agent market and exploding television revenues, a labor and disability historian argues in a newly published research paper.

Child Obesity: Using Attention modification program to decrease overeating in obese children Posted: 14 Feb 2014 05:38 PM PST Attention modification programs, which train a person to ignore or disregard specific, problematic cues or triggers, have been used effectively to treat cases of anxiety and substance abuse. In a novel study published this week, a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry reports using a single session of attention modification to decrease overeating in obese children.

Mobile compression device recommended to prevent DVT after joint surgery Posted: 14 Feb 2014 12:20 PM PST Research could change how patients are treated to prevent blood clots after joint replacement surgery. A study published has determined that after lower extremity joint replacement surgery, a mobile compression device was just as effective as blood thinners in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but without negative side effects including bleeding complications.

Geographic variation of human gut microbes tied to obesity Posted: 14 Feb 2014 10:09 AM PST Researchers know that obese people have a different balance of microbes in their guts: more Firmicutes, fewer Bacteroidetes. Now researchers have found that people living in northern latitudes have a greater proportion of the Firmicutes associated with obesity than do people living farther south, and a smaller proportion of Bacteroidetes. The implications are unclear, though microbes may evolve with people to better extract energy from food in colder climates.

Social norms strongly influence vaccination decisions, the spread of disease Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:12 AM PST Our response to societal pressures about vaccination has a direct effect on the spread of pediatric infectious diseases in areas where inoculation is not mandatory, says research. By incorporating social norms into predictive modelling, a research team found that they can foresee the observed patterns of population behavior and disease spread during vaccine scares-times when anti-vaccine sentiment is strong.

Survey: Americans struggle with science; respect scientists Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:11 AM PST While most Americans could be a bit more knowledgeable in the ways of science, a majority are interested in hearing about the latest scientific breakthroughs and think highly of scientists. This is according to a survey of more than 2,200 people.

Strategy that narrows academic achievement gap by 63 percent Posted: 14 Feb 2014 07:15 AM PST Americans don't like to discuss social class but new research finds it's imperative that colleges and universities do. A one-hour intervention by researchers closed the persistent academic achievement gap between students who are the first in their families to attend college and students with parents with a college degree. Key to the intervention's success is deliberate discussion of how one's social class background shapes one's college experience.

Early childhood education can pay big rewards to families, society Posted: 14 Feb 2014 07:08 AM PST High quality early childhood for disadvantaged children can simultaneously reduce inequality and boost productivity in America, contends a professor of economics, and one of the nation's leading experts on early childhood education.

Brain's 'sweet spot' for love found in neurological patient Posted: 14 Feb 2014 06:20 AM PST A region deep inside the brain controls how quickly people make decisions about love, according to new research. The finding, made in an examination of a 48-year-old man who suffered a stroke, provides the first causal clinical evidence that an area of the brain called the anterior insula "plays an instrumental role in love," said neuroscientist Stephanie Cacioppo, lead author of the study.

Pregnancy study for overweight women leads to fewer high birth weight babies Posted: 14 Feb 2014 06:20 AM PST The world's biggest study offering healthy eating and exercise advice to pregnant women who are overweight or obese has shown a significant reduction in the number of babies born over 4kg (8.8 pounds) in weight.

Passive smoking impairs children's responses to asthma treatment Posted: 14 Feb 2014 04:54 AM PST Children exposed to cigarette smoke at home have lower levels of an enzyme that helps them respond to asthma treatment, a study has found.

Children living close to fast food outlets more likely to be overweight Posted: 13 Feb 2014 07:04 PM PST Research shows that children living close to fast food outlets are more likely to be overweight. Researchers looked at weight data from more than a million children and compared it with the availability of unhealthy food from outlets including fish and chip shops, burger bars, pizza places, and sweet shops. It is hoped that the findings will help shape planning policy to help tackle childhood obesity.

'Sexy' underwear is not the only way to feel feminine on Valentine's Day Posted: 13 Feb 2014 07:03 PM PST TV makeover shows and glossy magazines can leave women feeling guilty for not wearing "sexy" lingerie -- especially on Valentine's Day.

Stroke survivors often return to driving without being evaluated for ability Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:48 PM PST Stroke survivors often resume driving without being formally evaluated for ability -- though stroke can cause deficits that can impair driving, according to researchers.

Psychologist shows why talking to kids really matters Posted: 13 Feb 2014 11:22 AM PST Exposure to child-directed speech sharpens infants' language processing skills and can predict future success. New work indicates early intervention can improve language skills in kids lagging behind.

Air pollution increases risk for hypertension in pregnant women Posted: 13 Feb 2014 09:24 AM PST Breathing the air outside their homes may be just as toxic to pregnant women -- if not more so -- as breathing in cigarette smoke, increasing a mom-to-be's risk of developing deadly complications such as preeclampsia, according to findings from a new study.

How gut bacteria communicates within our bodies, builds special relationship Posted: 13 Feb 2014 09:23 AM PST Communication is vital to any successful relationship. Researchers have discovered how the beneficial bacteria in our guts communicate with our own cells. This is a key step in understanding how our bodies maintain a close relationship with the population of gut bacteria that plays crucial roles in maintaining our health, fighting infection and digesting our food.

Is zinc the missing link for osteoarthritis therapies? Posted: 13 Feb 2014 09:23 AM PST A study reveals that osteoarthritis-related tissue damage is caused by a molecular pathway that is involved in regulating and responding to zinc levels inside of cartilage cells. A protein called ZIP8 transports zinc inside these cells, setting off a cascade of molecular events that result in the destruction of cartilage tissue in mice. The findings could lead to a new generation of therapies for osteoarthritis.

Moderate exercise cuts women's stroke risk, helps offset increase risk from hormone therapy Posted: 13 Feb 2014 08:27 AM PST Moderate exercise like brisk walking may cut women's stroke risk 20 percent. Moderate exercise also helps offset some of the increased stroke risk in women taking postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Call to scientists: Stop excluding left-handed people from scientific studies Posted: 13 Feb 2014 08:26 AM PST Left-handed people really do have different brains and genes from right-handed people. Yet left-handed people are almost never included as study subjects in scientific research. Therefore in a new article, a call is launched for more research into left-handed people.

Breast cancer survivors reap benefits of weight training, study finds Posted: 13 Feb 2014 08:26 AM PST Researchers are working with breast cancer survivors to help them regain muscle mass and bone density lost through both chemotherapy and the aging process.

Could restless sleep cause widespread pain in older people? Posted: 13 Feb 2014 05:37 AM PST Researchers in the U.K. report that non-restorative sleep is the strongest, independent predictor of widespread pain onset among adults over the age of 50. According to the study anxiety, memory impairment, and poor physical health among older adults may also increase the risk of developing widespread pain. Muscle, bone and nerve (musculoskeletal) pain is more prevalent as people age, with up to 80% of people 65 years of age and older experiencing daily pain. Widespread pain that affects multiple areas of the body —- the hallmark feature of fibromyalgia —- affects 15% of women and 10% of men over age 50 according to previous studies.

Prenatal vitamin A deficiency tied to postnatal asthma Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:35 PM PST Researchers have found the first direct evidence of a link between prenatal vitamin A deficiency and postnatal airway hyperresponsiveness, a hallmark of asthma. The study, conducted in mice, shows that short-term deficit of this essential vitamin while the lung is forming can cause profound changes in the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways, causing the adult lungs to respond to environmental or pharmacological stimuli with excessive narrowing of airways.

Two Parents with Alzheimer's Disease? Disease May Show up Decades Early on Brain Scans Posted: 12 Feb 2014 01:43 PM PST People who are dementia-free but have two parents with Alzheimer's disease may show signs of the disease on brain scans decades before symptoms appear, according to a new study.

Train like an Olympian: Six things we can learn from elite athletes Posted: 12 Feb 2014 11:45 AM PST Everyone should have the experience of training for and accomplishing a physical goal, says a physical therapy professor.

Buying livestock products: What’s on the consumer's mind? Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:26 AM PST A recent nationwide online survey of U.S. consumers found that freshness and safety were the most important values consumers placed on buying popular livestock products, including milk, ground beef, beef steak and chicken breast. Consumers felt environmental impact, animal welfare, origin and convenience were least important when making food purchasing decisions.

Long-term effects of childhood obesity on late-life health revealed by study Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:26 AM PST "It may be that childhood obesity changes the way the whole metabolism is working – and changes it during a critical developmental time frame," says lead investigator or a new study.

Depressed girls suffer most: Adolescents with psychiatric problems also likely to suffer chronic pain Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:28 AM PST Seven out of 10 adolescents with mental health problems also suffer from chronic physical pain. Depressed girls suffer the most.

Exercise targets cellular powerhouses to improve heart function Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:27 AM PST Whether lifting weights in a gym or just walking around the block, exercise has many benefits, such as helping people lose weight and build stronger muscles. Some studies suggest that it may reduce the risk of developing cancer and other diseases. Researchers now report that moderate, long-term physical activity appears to improve cardiovascular health in mice by targeting the heart cells' powerhouses -- the mitochondria.

More awareness, fast response key to combatting stroke in children Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:25 AM PST Parents should be aware that children are vulnerable to stroke and be prepared to respond to symptoms. Increased awareness is also needed among healthcare professionals and in communities.

Better training needed to help new teachers promote healthy lifestyles to children: U.K. study Posted: 12 Feb 2014 05:20 AM PST Research suggests new teachers could be better trained to help them promote health and lifestyle issues to children in schools. A study has shown there is a lack of attention paid to public health priorities in teacher training and little consistency in helping trainees to develop the skills they need to promote positive health behaviors to students. Government public health priorities include issues such as, healthy eating, physical exercise and preventing smoking, drug and alcohol abuse.

Oregano oil: Could pizza herb prevent winter vomiting disease? Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:12 PM PST Scientists have found that carvacrol -- the substance in oregano oil that gives the pizza herb its distinctive warm, aromatic smell and flavor -- is effective against norovirus, causing the breakdown of the virus' tough outer coat.

Business survival 101: Put a woman in charge Posted: 11 Feb 2014 09:17 AM PST The key to long-term survival for many businesses is having a woman in charge, according to researchers. Many businesses survive longer under female ownership.

Exhausted? It’s the Perfect Time to Make Health Decisions Posted: 11 Feb 2014 08:37 AM PST From keeping up a daily exercise routine to eating healthy foods and avoiding impulse purchases, self-control is hard work. Ironically, when it comes to making decisions about our bodies, a new study finds we make better health care decisions when we're feeling tired and run down.

Are you a high achiever? Even the best products might leave you dissatisfied Posted: 11 Feb 2014 08:37 AM PST Make the honor roll, go for the promotion, or try the tastiest entrée on the menu. In almost every facet of our culture, we are told to "go for the gold." So, why settle for "good enough" when "something better" is within reach? According to a new study, constantly striving for the best may be magnifying negative feelings like regret and dissatisfaction in other parts of our daily lives.

Content of our cooperation, not the color of our skin diminishes categorization of people Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:43 AM PST It's widely acknowledged that a common threat unites people. Individuals who were previously separated by social class, race or ethnicity come together, forming new cooperative alliances to defeat a common enemy. But does it take an external threat -- an attack like Pearl Harbor or 9/11 -- to make these social divisions melt away? A new study demonstrates that peaceful cooperation has the same effect as intergroup conflict in erasing social boundaries connected to race.

Aging and the pursuit of happiness Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:42 AM PST As human beings, we expend a great deal of time, money, and energy in the pursuit of happiness. From exotic travel to simply spending time with our grandchildren, the things that make us happy change as we age. A new study explores the role of age on the happiness we receive from both the ordinary and the extraordinary experiences in our lives.

Dressing down: Can this actually boost your social status? Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:42 AM PST From wearing a suit to a wedding to donning a tie for a job interview, American society has established unspoken rules for dress codes and proper etiquette. But there's always that one guy who wears the bright socks or the obnoxious bow tie. According to a new study, this type of behavior has the potential to increase a person's perceived success.

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