Laughing found to help calorie burning, a little

Dieters looking for another edge might want to consider exercising their sense of humor — scientists have found that a good laugh is a calorie burner not to be ignored.

It may not be as good for reducing the waistline as going to the gym or resisting that ice-cream sundae, but American researchers have found that 10-15 minutes of genuine giggling can burn off the number of calories found in a medium square of chocolate.

USA Today
June 4, 2005

Hands have become a new battleground in the great cosmetic war against aging

And so it is not surprising that hands have become a new battleground in the great cosmetic war against aging. Lotion makers have begun to put the same sunscreen and anti-aging ingredients they use in face creams – antioxidants, retinols, alpha hydroxy acids, collagen and the like – into new, more expensive hand treatments. Spending at nail salons continues to rise: in 2004, it reached nearly $7 billion a year, up 8 percent from 2001, according to Nails, an industry trade magazine.

By ELIZABETH HAYT
New York Times
Published: June 2, 2005

With a little planning, home health-care experts believe senior citizens can remain in their homes longer

Seniors want it, it’s better for the community and it could save individuals and taxpayers money in the long run if the country’s older population live in their own homes longer, experts believe.

Home medical equipment providers and vendors investigated ways to make this happen Wednesday at the Heartland Conference, held at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The event is sponsored by Van G. Miller and Associates, a home medical care company that originally negotiated contracts between major home medical equipment manufactures and independent dealers, but has since diversified into many other medical and non-medical entities.

By MATTHEW WILDE
Courier Staff Writer
June 2, 2005

‘New way’ to treat complex grief

US researchers say they have found a better way to counsel people with a form of prolonged grief. Bereavement causes strong emotional, physical and spiritual reactions that can take years to work through.

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association explains how 16 sessions of tailored therapy can help. The technique used by the University of Pittsburgh team is called complicated grief treatment.

BBC News
May 31, 2005

Get more information on grieving

Disabled, Elderly Asked To Register With Fire Department

Prince George’s fire officials reached out to the country’s most vulnerable residents Saturday, one day after fire killed an elderly couple in Chapel Oaks, Md.

County fire officials ask that people with disabilities register with the county’s Project ID program, so emergency workers will know what to look for in the event of a crisis.

The number for Project ID is (301) 883-7719.

nbc4.com

Good Economic Times Can Mean Health Risk

Good times seem like they should bring good health. More people have jobs and health insurance when an economy is growing. Fewer people skip visits to the doctor to save money or suffer the severe stress that comes with a layoff. So with job growth now stronger than it has been since 2000, the country can look forward to some vigorous years, it might seem.

By DAVID LEONHARDT
New York Times
Published: May 30, 2005

Does Reality Sell Beauty?

To Appeal to More Women, Advertisers Adjust the Pitch

The mixed reaction mirrors a broader debate in the fashion and beauty worlds: In a youth-obsessed but aging society, can marketers resonate with women by reflecting more true-to-life images? Or do women want products that promise to improve upon nature, even if the standard is unrealistic?

By SHELLY BRANCH and DEBORAH BALL
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
May 19, 2005; Page B1

Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban on Wine Shipments

Wine lovers may buy directly from out-of-state vineyards, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, striking down laws banning a practice that has flourished because of the Internet and growing popularity of winery tours.

The 5-4 decision overturns laws in New York and Michigan, which supporters said were aimed at protecting local wineries and limiting underage drinkers from purchasing wine without showing proof of age. In all, 24 states have laws barring interstate shipments.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 16, 2005

Life at the Top in America Isn’t Just Better, It’s Longer

As advances in medicine and disease prevention have increased life expectancy in the United States, the benefits have disproportionately gone to people with education, money, good jobs and connections. They are almost invariably in the best position to learn new information early, modify their behavior, take advantage of the latest treatments and have the cost covered by insurance.

By JANNY SCOTT
New York Times
Published: May 16, 2005

Grandma’s behavior while pregnant impacts lineage

Last month, scientists reported that a child whose grandmother smoked while pregnant with the child’s mother may have twice the risk of developing asthma as a child whose grandma didn’t flood her fetus with carcinogens. Remarkably, the risk from grandma’s smoking was as great as or greater than from mom’s. Kids whose mothers smoked while pregnant were 1.5 times as likely to develop childhood asthma as children of nonsmoking moms. Kids whose grandmothers smoked while pregnant with mom were 2.1 times as likely to develop asthma, scientists reported in the journal Chest.

Friday, May 13, 2005
By Sharon Begley
The Wall Street Journal