ScienceDaily: Living Well News

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• Designer potatoes on the menu to boost consumption
• Experiences at every stage of life contribute to cognitive abilities in old age
• Why do men prefer nice women? Responsiveness and desire
• Common blood thinner for pregnant women proven ineffective
• Overweight, obese preschoolers lose more weight when parent is also treated
• Stronger early reading skills predict higher intelligence later
• Maltreatment affects the way children's genes are activated
• Rosemary, oregano contain diabetes-fighting compounds
• Charter schools nationwide more cost-effective, produce greater ROI
• Nostalgia effect: Do consumers spend more when thinking about the past?
• Low-income students in high performing high schools less likely to engage in risky behavior

Designer potatoes on the menu to boost consumption Posted: 25 Jul 2014 11:45 AM PDT A decline in overall potato consumption has breeders working on "designer" spuds that meet the time constraints and unique tastes of a younger generation.

Experiences at every stage of life contribute to cognitive abilities in old age Posted: 25 Jul 2014 08:09 AM PDT Early life experiences, such as childhood socioeconomic status and literacy, may have greater influence on the risk of cognitive impairment late in life than such demographic characteristics as race and ethnicity, a large study has found. "These findings are important," explained the lead author of the study "because it challenges earlier research that suggests associations between race and ethnicity, particularly among Latinos, and an increased risk of late-life cognitive impairment and dementia.

Why do men prefer nice women? Responsiveness and desire Posted: 25 Jul 2014 08:07 AM PDT Does responsiveness increase sexual desire in the other person? Do men perceive responsive women as more attractive, and does the same hold true for women's perceptions of men? A recent study undertook to answer those questions.

Common blood thinner for pregnant women proven ineffective Posted: 24 Jul 2014 04:20 PM PDT A daily injection to the belly commonly prescribed for pregnant women at risk of developing blood clots is found to be ineffective. As many as one in 10 pregnant women have a tendency to develop blood clots in their veins, a condition called thrombophilia. The anticoagulant LMWH has been prescribed for two decades to prevent related pregnancy complications. Now, a study provides conclusive evidence that it has no positive benefits for the mother or child, and could actually cause pregnant women some minor harm.

Overweight, obese preschoolers lose more weight when parent is also treated Posted: 24 Jul 2014 02:21 PM PDT Primary care treatment of overweight and obese preschoolers works better when treatment targets both parent and child compared to when only the child is targeted. The study results suggest that overweight or obese children and their parents can be successfully treated in the primary care setting with the assistance of practice enhancers.

Stronger early reading skills predict higher intelligence later Posted: 24 Jul 2014 06:42 AM PDT A study of 1,890 identical twins has found that strong early reading skill might positively affect later intelligence. The twins, who are part of an ongoing longitudinal study in the United Kingdom, share all their genes as well as a home environment. Differences shown in intellectual ability came from experiences they didn't share. The twin with stronger early reading skills was found to have higher overall intellectual ability by age 7.

Maltreatment affects the way children's genes are activated Posted: 24 Jul 2014 06:42 AM PDT In a new study, researchers found that maltreatment affects the way children's genes are activated, which has implications for their long-term development and health. The researchers examined DNA methylation, a biomechanical mechanism that helps cells control which genes are turned on or off, in the blood of 56 children ages 11 to 14. Disruptions in this system affect emotional behavior, stress levels, and the immune system. These findings echo those of earlier studies of rodents.

Rosemary, oregano contain diabetes-fighting compounds Posted: 23 Jul 2014 08:11 AM PDT The popular culinary herbs oregano and rosemary are packed with healthful compounds, and now lab tests show they could work in much the same way as prescription anti-diabetic medication, scientists report. In their new study, researchers found that how the herbs are grown makes a difference, and they also identified which compounds contribute the most to this promising trait.

Charter schools nationwide more cost-effective, produce greater ROI Posted: 22 Jul 2014 12:24 PM PDT A first-ever report ties charter school funding to achievement, and finds that public charter schools are more productive than traditional public schools in 28 states. The report included in analyses of cost-effectiveness and return on investment. ROI compares two similar students, one attending a charter school and the other attending a traditional public school. Calculations then factor in dollars invested in a school, academic achievement and projected lifetime earnings – to see which school type "pays off" over time.

Nostalgia effect: Do consumers spend more when thinking about the past? Posted: 22 Jul 2014 08:17 AM PDT Say you are out clothes shopping and you spot something that brings you back to a special time from your childhood when you were surrounded by friends and family. Suddenly, you find yourself purchasing an expensive shirt that makes you feel like a kid again. According to a new study, we're more likely to spend money when we're feeling nostalgic.

Low-income students in high performing high schools less likely to engage in risky behavior Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:17 AM PDT Low-income minority adolescents who were admitted to high-performing public charter high schools in Los Angeles were significantly less likely to engage in risky health behaviors than their peers who were not admitted to those schools. These students also scored significantly better on California state standardized math and English tests.

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