ScienceDaily: Living Well News

Study maps extroversion types in the brain's anatomy Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:01 PM PST Scientists have mapped the similarities and the differences in the brain between the two different kinds of extroverts: 'Agentic' go-getters and 'affiliative' people persons.

The £180 billion bill for living in a material world: Material lifestyles not making us happier Posted: 25 Feb 2015 09:27 AM PST Our modern material lifestyles are failing to make us happier, damaging our health, are no longer sustainable and cost the overall economy tens of billions of pounds every year.

Breakfast habits affect teens' metabolic responses to protein-packed morning meals Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:44 AM PST A researcher compared young women who habitually skip breakfast to those who routinely eat breakfast and found that their metabolic responses to eating a high-protein breakfast were different. Specifically, the habitual breakfast skippers experienced poorer glucose control throughout the day when they consumed a high-protein breakfast, whereas those who typically ate a high-carbohydrate breakfast had improved glucose control after they ate a high-protein breakfast.

Oat breakfast cereals may contain a common mold-related toxin Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:43 AM PST Oats are often touted for boosting heart health, but scientists warn that the grain and its products might need closer monitoring for potential mold contamination. They report that some oat-based breakfast cereals in the US contain a mold-related toxin called ochratoxin A that's been linked to kidney cancer in animal studies.

When it comes to the digital playground we need to stop crying wolf Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:42 AM PST Kids are leading the transition to digital media today. But, while too much time online could cause developmental problems, media consumption habits may not be making our children less bright or sociable, after all.

More than two hours of TV a day increases high blood pressure risk in children by 30% Posted: 25 Feb 2015 07:28 AM PST A study on European children concludes that spending more than two hours a day in front of a screen increases the probability of high blood pressure by 30%. The article also points out that doing no daily physical activity or doing less than an hour a day increases this risk by 50%.

Is your busy schedule affecting your health? Time might not be the problem Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST The modern schedule is infamously frantic, leaving many of us feeling constantly pressed for time. But that feeling may not have much to do with time itself, according to a new study. "Feeling pressed for time impacts how consumers spend time, and how much they are willing to pay to save it. From a consumer standpoint, feeling pressed for time can have many harmful consequences such as poorer health, trouble sleeping, and depression. By pausing to breathe or envision the source of stress in a more positive light, people can enjoy the time they actually have in a healthier and happier way," conclude the authors.

Warning on use of drug for children's sleep Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:41 AM PST Sleep researchers are warning doctors and parents not to provide the drug melatonin to children to help control their sleep problems.

Meditation can reduce chronic neck pain, study shows Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:41 AM PST Meditation might be an effective treatment for reducing chronic neck pain, according to research. Chronic neck pain can lead to serious comorbidities like depression. Patients with chronic neck pain frequently experience distress. Meditation has been increasingly used as a supportive treatment for individuals with chronic pain.

Fitting meters has immediate effect on consumers' water saving habits Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:28 AM PST Consumers reduce their water consumption by 16.5 per cent after they receive a metered connection – based on the study of a five-year program to install nearly half a million water meters in the south-east of England. This reduction is far more than the national average of ten per cent and is mainly achieved very quickly after a meter is installed.

Playful adults preferred in choice of partner Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:25 AM PST Which characteristics do young adults value in a potential partner for long-term relationships? A new study reveals that, besides friendliness, intelligence and a sense of humor, playfulness is also important – regardless of gender. Playful people also deem humor, a fun tendency, a laid-back attitude and creativity more important in partners than their non-playful counterparts.