ScienceDaily: Living Well News

Energy drinks raise resting blood pressure, with effect most dramatic in those not used to caffeine Posted: 13 Mar 2015 10:07 AM PDT Healthy young adults who don’t consume caffeine regularly experienced greater rise in resting blood pressure after consumption of a commercially available energy drink — compared to a placebo drink — thus raising the concern that energy drinks may increase the risk of cardiac events, researchers found.

Evolution of childbirth: Wider hips don't make locomotion easier, so why is labor so hard? Posted: 13 Mar 2015 06:45 AM PDT A new study found no connection between hip width and efficient locomotion, and suggests that scientists have long approached the problem in the wrong way. "This idea, that pelvic width for birth and pelvic width for locomotion are connected, is deeply ingrained in this discipline," said the first author of the study. "Everyone thinks they know this is true...but it's wrong, and it's wrong for two reasons. First, the way we had modeled the forces involved didn't make sense. Second, we found that you can't predict, from the width of the pelvis, how much energy someone is using, so we've been looking at this biomechanical problem entirely wrong."

Listening to classical music modulates genes that are responsible for brain functions Posted: 13 Mar 2015 05:34 AM PDT Although listening to music is common in all societies, the biological determinants of listening to music are largely unknown. According to a new study, listening to classical music enhanced the activity of genes involved in dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic neurotransmission, learning and memory, and down-regulated the genes mediating neurodegeneration. Several of the up-regulated genes were known to be responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds, suggesting a common evolutionary background of sound perception across species.

Tablet use: significance of usage position, potential for neck damage Posted: 13 Mar 2015 05:34 AM PDT Tablet use has rocketed. Last year in the US, for example, 42% of under 18’s owned one and more than half of 35-49 year olds used them regularly. This figure seems unlikely to decrease and yet only limited guidance is available on minimizing health risks. Tablet use requires significant head and neck flexion and has implications for potential neck injury to users. In a new article, researchers evaluate the head-neck biomechanics during tablet use, the implications for the neck musculature and future ergonomics recommendations.

Nine superfruits and super seeds to add to your diet Posted: 12 Mar 2015 02:35 PM PDT Although there is no universal standard definition of a super seed or superfruit, they are often described as providing a number of nutrients and health benefits all in one package. A new article describes nine seeds and superfruits that fit the bill for consumers’ desire for natural, minimally processed foods.

Electronic cigarette vapors contain toxins, have potential to be a public health concern Posted: 12 Mar 2015 12:38 PM PDT On the heels of the Federal Drug Administration's (FDA) second public workshop to explore the public health considerations associated with e-cigarettes, researchers explore the composition of e-cigarette vapor and the potential health impacts of secondhand exposure.

Underlying subfertility may affect ART birth outcomes, study finds Posted: 11 Mar 2015 11:09 AM PDT Birth outcomes for babies whose mothers used assisted reproductive technology (ART) are better in some cases, and worse in others, than for subfertile women who did not use ART, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Urging HPV vaccine for boys could protect more people at same price Posted: 11 Mar 2015 09:46 AM PDT Whether vaccinating U.S. boys against HPV in addition to girls is worth the cost has been hotly debated. But with HPV-related cancers in men on the rise, and coverage in girls stagnating below the levels needed to ensure that most people are protected, research suggests that devoting a portion of HPV funding to boys -- rather than merely attempting to improve female coverage -- may protect more people for the same price.