Biological Clocks and Smoking Addictions possess a high genetic component, and many varied protein and control genes affect who and who does not get hooked. Some of these genes involve our powerful biological clocks. Night people, or owls, smoke more than morning types. Owls get more addicted to cigarettes, and have a harder time getting […]
Text tonight, trouble tomorrow (11/3/10)
The Electronic Life The cyborg future is here. Last week I wrote on “Your kid’s new ‘favorite’ bed partner” – the cell phone. It now appears the era of “mobile computing” is creating mass immobility. Kids are texting like crazy at night – in bed. The Pew Memorial Trust survey I quoted had 82% of […]
Physical Activity + Social Rest = Less Depression (and Fewer Colds) – 11/2/10
It’s a Matter of Moving Forty thousand Norwegians can’t be wrong. They were studied by groups from Kings College, London, and the University of Bergen with a simple question – does exercise decrease depression? The answer was – yes – by about half. With depression now affecting up to 30% of Western populations, that is […]
I’ve got rhythm – to sleep (11/1/10)
Getting in the Rhythm Wayne Rooney is one of the more internationally famous people most Americans never heard of. England’s National Team striker is famous for many things beyond his magic foot, his recently wrangled secret five year contract with Man United, his giant house and supposed visits to a prostitute while his wife was […]
Music to fall asleep (10/30/10)
The Pleasures of a Calm Mind The bard wrote “music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.” Apparently that also includes people. Britain’s Travelodge is one of the few hotel companies that publicizes the sleep quality(ies) of its clients. Due to this hotelier we know that when the financial meltdown hit Europe, their average sleeper […]