ScienceDaily: Living Well News

Moderate alcohol consumption increases attractiveness Posted: 09 Mar 2015 06:15 PM PDT Consuming alcohol (equivalent to about a glass of wine) can make the drinker appear more attractive than when sober, according to new research. However, the effect disappears when more is consumed.

Cooperative communities emerge in transparent social networks Posted: 09 Mar 2015 12:55 PM PDT An online experiment reveals that the overall level of cooperation in a group almost doubles when the previous actions of all its members are rendered transparent. When all social connections within the group are also made transparent, the most cooperative band together to form their own community -- ostracizing the less cooperative.

New class of drugs dramatically increases healthy lifespan, mouse study suggests Posted: 09 Mar 2015 11:48 AM PDT Scientists have identified a new class of drugs that in animal models dramatically slows the aging process -- alleviating symptoms of frailty, improving cardiac function and extending a healthy lifespan.

Vaccinate against measles, experts say Posted: 09 Mar 2015 09:42 AM PDT An article has examined reasons people are hesitant to vaccinate. "Active vaccine refusal is a significant issue and leaves a large group of children at unnecessary risk of measles infection and associated complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, encephalitis and death," said co-author of the new study.

Societally-engaged adults see their lives as redemption stories Posted: 09 Mar 2015 09:41 AM PDT Middle-aged Americans who show high levels of societal involvement and mental health are especially likely to construe their lives as stories of personal redemption, according to new research. And this redemption narrative was also stronger for adults who showed greater overall mental health and well-being.

Pregnancy weight gain tilts scales for child becoming obese Posted: 09 Mar 2015 06:32 AM PDT For the first time, researchers studied the effects of gestational weight gain on childhood obesity risk among a multi-ethnic urban population. The researchers determined that excessive pregnancy weight gain was associated with greater overall and abdominal body fat in children and obesity at age seven. Excessive pre-pregnancy weight gain was associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity of approximately 300 percent.

Smiles, word choice show what type of sexism men display Posted: 09 Mar 2015 06:32 AM PDT If you want to know what a man's true attitude towards the female sex is, carefully watch how he smiles and chats to her. This advice is gleaned from a new study. It sheds light on how sexism subtly influences social interaction between men and woman. Even though discrimination against women is thought to have decreased over the past six decades in the United States, instances of sexism are not difficult to find. Experts believe that such gender discrimination can be both hostile and benevolent.

What’s your genetic destiny? More than half of parents want to know disease risks for selves, kids Posted: 09 Mar 2015 06:25 AM PDT Would you want to know if you or your children had risk of hereditary cancer, a genetic risk for cardiovascular disease or carried the gene associated with developing Alzheimer’s disease?

Physical labor, hypertension and multiple meds may reduce male fertility Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:30 AM PDT Working in a physically demanding job, having high blood pressure, and taking multiple medications are among health risks that may undermine a man's fertility, according to a study. The study is the first to examine the relationships between workplace exertion, health, and semen quality as men are trying to conceive.

Traffic light food labels strengthen self-control Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:28 AM PDT Should food products be labeled with traffic light symbols to make health-related information on ingredients easier to understand? This question has remained a subject of debate. Now researchers have reached the conclusion that the traffic light label is more effective in helping consumers resist high-calorie foods than a purely information-based label. Scientists observed study participants in the brain scanner as they made purchase decisions.

Strained thumb from texting? Biomechanical simulations show how tablets and smartphones stress joints and muscles Posted: 09 Mar 2015 05:28 AM PDT Spending hours on a computer or sending lots of text messages on a mobile phone can result in a stiff neck and sometimes even a strained thumb. Computer scientists have developed a procedure that simulates in a lifelike manner which muscles and joints are put under particular strain when using IT devices. It also demonstrates the speed and accuracy with which a user can operate a device. The method developed by the researchers uses cameras to capture the motion of a test subject and then projects these movements onto a model of the human body.

Catching the drinking game bug Posted: 04 Mar 2015 08:03 AM PST When the conversation fades and the food runs out, exuberant partygoers might turn to drinking games for their postprandial entertainment. But, be warned the ever-popular sport of 'beer pong' could give you a little more than you bargained for, according to scientists.