Futurity.org » Melissa

Fixating on finances can feed your funk

Melissa — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:36:56 +0000

A study of the mental state of the modern American woman has found a powerful link between concerns over financial security and satisfaction with one’s life

PRINCETON (US)—A study of the mental state of the modern American woman has found a powerful link between concerns over financial security and satisfaction with one’s life.

In looking toward the future, women who concentrated much of their thinking on financial matters were much less likely to be happy with their lives, according to Talya Miron-Shatz, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton. And, contrary to expectations, many of those with such worries had plenty of money by conventional standards, she said, suggesting that there is more at play in obtaining peace of mind than simply having cash.

Never mind straight As — some kids need D

Melissa — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:26:28 +0000

One in seven American adolescents has a vitamin D deficiency

CORNELL (US)—Researchers have found one in seven American adolescents has a vitamin D deficiency, which in children can interfere with bone mineralization, leading to rickets. In adults, it is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, immune dysfunction and hypertension.

The study, conducted by researchers in the Department of Public Health at Weill Cornell Medical College, employs a new definition of vitamin D deficiency recommended by a group of scientists attending the 13th Workshop Consensus for Vitamin D Nutritional Guidelines in 2007. These experts collectively proposed that the minimum acceptable serum vitamin D level be raised from 11 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) to at least 20 ng/mL.

A way to save trees? Knock on (fake) wood!

Melissa — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:08:42 +0000

A new synthetic wood substitute made from biodegradable plastic could replace petrochemical plastics used in building materials and disposable water bottles

STANFORD (US)—Researchers have developed a synthetic wood substitute that may one day save trees, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shrink landfills. The faux lumber is made from a new biodegradable plastic that could be used in a variety of building materials and perhaps replace the petrochemical plastics now used in billions of disposable water bottles.

“This is a great opportunity to make products that serve a societal need and respect and protect the natural environment,” said lead researcher Sarah Billington, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.

Memories, in the cells of your mind

Melissa — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:05:23 +0000

Rudiger von der Heydt, Johns Hopkins professor at the Zanvyl Krieger Mind-Brain Institute

JOHNS HOPKINS (US)—As we look at the world around us, images flicker into our brains like so many disparate pixels on a computer screen that change every time our eyes move, which is several times a second. Yet we don’t perceive the world as a constantly flashing computer display.

Why not?