ScienceDaily: Living Well News


Even light drinking can be harmful to health

Posted: 28 Jan 2022 07:07 AM PST

Drinking less than the UK's recommended limit of 14 units of alcohol per week still increases the risk of cardiovascular issues such as heart and cerebrovascular disease.

Players needed to solve puzzles and help advance cancer research

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

Scientists have just launched GENIGMA, a videogame that enlists players to solve puzzles while generating real-world scientific data that can detect alterations in genomic sequences and ultimately advance breast cancer research. The game was created to boost worldwide research efforts that depend on cancer cell lines, a critical resource used by scientists to study cancer and test new drugs to treat the disease. One of the limitations of cancer cell lines are a lack of high-resolution genome reference maps, which are necessary to help researchers interpret their scientific results.

Can wearable technology predict the negative consequences of drinking?

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

Researchers demonstrated how wearable sensors can augment researchers' understanding of when drinking will lead to negative consequences. The researchers measured intoxication with an ankle bracelet that can detect alcohol concentration from imperceptible amounts of sweat.

Study finds lower math scores in high schools that switched to 4-day school week

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

A recent study analyzing the impact of a shorter school week for high schools found that 11th-grade students participating in a four-day week performed worse on standardized math tests than students who remained on five-day schedules.

Scientists find the climate and health impacts of natural gas stoves are greater than previously thought

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:43 AM PST

Natural gas stoves release methane -- a potent greenhouse gas -- and other pollutants through leaks and incomplete combustion. Researchers estimate that methane leaking from stoves inside U.S. homes has the same climate impact as about 500,000 gasoline-powered cars and the stoves can expose people to respiratory disease-triggering pollutants.

Microbiome of mother's vagina may affect infant mortality risk and baby's development, study in mice shows

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A new study in mice showed that an unhealthy vaginal microbiome in pregnant mothers in combination with an unhealthy diet contributed to increased pup deaths and altered development in the surviving babies. The findings suggest that changes in a mother's diet, such as more fruits and vegetables, may counteract unhealthy microbiome effects in disadvantaged groups.

Even dim light before bedtime may disrupt a preschooler’s sleep

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A new study of preschoolers finds that exposure to even very low intensities of light before bedtime can sharply reduce production of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, interfering with sleep. It suggests that young children are highly susceptible to the physiological impacts of light at night and some kids are more sensitive than others.

Previously unknown aspects of running shoe design uncovered

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 09:22 AM PST

A thick running shoe midsole is often favored for its shock absorbing protection, but it has been assumed that these heavily cushioned shoes increase leg stiffness and muscle fatigue. But results of a new study suggest that midsole thickness is unlikely to cause individuals to alter their leg stiffness.