ScienceDaily: Living Well News

Does a competent leader make a good friend? Posted: 10 Feb 2015 01:01 PM PST New research shows that when we elect leaders and politicians we tend to prefer dominant-looking, masculine men, but when we are looking to make new friends we seek the opposite.

Listeria pathogen is prevalent, persistent in retail delis Posted: 10 Feb 2015 11:20 AM PST New research shows that standard cleaning procedures in retail delis may not eradicate Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which can cause a potentially fatal disease in people with vulnerable immune systems.

Napping reverses health effects of poor sleep Posted: 10 Feb 2015 11:17 AM PST A short nap can help relieve stress and bolster the immune systems of men who slept only two hours the previous night, according to a new study.

Smartphone apps just as accurate as wearable devices for tracking physical activity Posted: 10 Feb 2015 10:01 AM PST Although wearable devices have received significant attention for their ability to track an individual’s physical activity, most smartphone applications are just as accurate, according to new research. The study tested 10 of the top-selling smartphone apps and devices in the United States by having 14 participants walk on a treadmill for 500 and 1,500 steps, each twice (for a total of 56 trials), and then recording their step counts.

Taking too much folic acid while pregnant may put daughters at risk of diabetes and obesity Posted: 10 Feb 2015 05:36 AM PST Mothers that take excessive amounts of folic acid during pregnancy may predispose their daughters to diabetes and obesity later in life, according to a new study. With high dose supplements being widely available, the study calls for a need to establish a safe upper limit of folic acid intake for pregnant women.

Exposure to mercury, seafood associated with risk factor for autoimmune disease Posted: 10 Feb 2015 02:04 AM PST One of the greatest risk factors for autoimmunity among women of childbearing age may be associated with exposure to mercury such as through seafood, a new study says. Mercury -- even at low levels generally considered safe -- was associated with autoimmunity. Autoimmune disorders, which cause the body's immune system to attack healthy cells by mistake, affects nearly 50 million Americans and predominately women.

Many would rather buy generic clothes than stand out with designer brands Posted: 09 Feb 2015 01:15 PM PST A new study has found that people who are more sensitive to how others perceive them are actually more likely to avoid clothing with large logos, even if the clothing is from a prestigious brand.

Valentine's Day gift-giving strategy for the hopeless romantic Posted: 09 Feb 2015 01:15 PM PST New research suggests you buy a gift your sweetie wants, not one that proves how thoughtful you are.

Drinking green tea before taking supplements may offer protection from toxicity Posted: 04 Feb 2015 08:20 AM PST As high doses of green tea extract supplements for weight loss become more popular, potential liver toxicity becomes a concern. In the last decade, dozens of people have been diagnosed with the condition. However, drinking green tea in the weeks before taking supplements likely reduces risk, according to researchers.

Smoking while breastfeeding puts children at risk of obesity later in life Posted: 03 Feb 2015 05:43 PM PST Children of mothers who smoke while breast feeding are more likely to develop serious health problems such as obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life, according to new research done in rats. Scientists are calling for better information for new mothers on the long-term effects of nicotine exposure on their children’s health.

Healthy diet linked to lower risk of chronic lung disease Posted: 03 Feb 2015 04:02 PM PST Eating a diet rich in whole grains, polyunsaturated fats and nuts -- and low in red and processed meat, refined grains and sugary drinks -- is associated with a lower risk of chronic lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), a new study finds.