On our Lab Notes page CalorieLab’s editors select and rank the day’s essential health news items in real time. Readers can suggest, vote and comment on items. Below are brief summaries of yesterday’s (February 3, 2010) Lab Notes items. To see today’s items, visit Lab Notes.
1. A Little Extra Weight May Help in Old Age
People who are over the age of 70 and overweight but otherwise healthy may live longer than their skinnier counterparts, a study of elderly Australians found.
2. Heavy Backpacks Hurt Kids’ Spines
Heavy backpacks result in back pain, disc compression and curvature of the spine in school age children.
3. Young Blood Mixed with Old Generates Youthful Changes
Young blood, when infused into the blood of old laboratory animals, imparts youth-giving changes, according to Harvard scientists.
4. Bagged Salads Not So Clean
A study by the Consumers Union found “bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination” in a sample of bagged salad products.
5. Health Department Turns on Raw Eggs
The latest thing in cocktails — in New York City, anyway — is to add a bit of raw egg white to amp up the mouthfeel and lightening up the beverage, but it’s technically illegal.
(By CalorieLab editors)
From the RSS feed of CalorieLab News (REF3076322B7)
Lab Notes: A Little Extra Weight May Help in Old Age; Heavy Backpacks Hurt Kids’ Spines