A controversial study led by researchers from Harvard and the University of California, San Diego, concluded that behaviors such as overeating and cigarette smoking could be contagious within close social networks. The researchers came to this conclusion by analyzing data from the Framingham Heart Study, a long-running, detailed survey that examined over 12,000 participants. The Framingham Study included information about body weight and drug use habits, and also indicated which subjects were friends or family members. Thanks to this unique feature, researchers were able to take a look at rates of obesity and other health risks among friend groups.

Dr. Nicholas Christakis and Dr. James Fowler, the leaders of the study, found that if one spouse became obese, the other was 37 percent more likely to become obese as well. If a man became obese, his brother’s risk rose by 40 percent. And the risk was even higher among friends  – the doctors found that someone with an obese friend was between 51 and 171 percent more likely to become obese.

Dr. Christakis and Dr. Fowler provided three possible explanations for their findings. The first explanation was a natural human tendency to choose friends who are similar to ourselves. The second was the fact that friends may be similarly affected by the environments they share. The third explanation, which attracted the most attention, was called contagion – the possibility that a person’s ideas of acceptable weight and portion size might be influenced by how much their friends weigh or eat. This was the explanation that doctors Christakis and Fowler focused on as the cause of obesity.

But not all scientists agree with this theory. A recent paper attacked the findings of doctors Christakis and Fowler, saying that their study contained serious statistical errors. Other doctors don’t doubt the integrity of the study, but say that it is impossible to prove that contagion was the cause of high rates of obesity among friends and families. A more recent study that focused specifically on women did find that social relationships had an influence on bodyweight, but the influence was very small. The researchers were also unable to pinpoint one specific explanation for their findings.

So, the verdict is mixed: problems like obesity may or may not spread among friends. But even if behaviors like overeating and smoking aren’t contagious, the question of friends and behavior is an interesting one for college students. When we go away to college and have to make new friends, do they influence our behavior? Do we change and become more like our new friends? Or do we choose friends who are more like us to begin with? What do you think?

If you’ve never heard of Henrietta Lacks, you’re not alone. However, some of you may have heard of HeLa cells. HeLa cells are used in scientific research and have been part of almost every medical breakthrough since the ’50s. And they’re immortal. I’m getting ahead of myself, though.

So what is the connection between Henrietta – a poor, black woman from Baltimore – and the trillions of HeLa cells in the world? You won’t believe it, but every single one of those trillions of cells are HERS. Even the name HeLa comes from her name: HEnrietta LAcks. And even more miraculous is the fact that you’re probably more familiar with Henrietta than you think. Odds are, one of the vaccines you’ve received in your life was created from her cells or maybe even contained her cells. Mind-blowing.

In 1951, Henrietta visited John Hopkins complaining of a “knot” in her stomach. She was eventually diagnosed with cervical cancer and treated in the fashion of the day: tubes of radium were sewn onto and in her. However, before beginning the treatment, a doctor took a sample of her tumor and shipped it off to George Gey. Gey had been trying to create immortal cells for years. Up until this point, cells died within a few days in a culture and scientific progress was at somewhat of a standstill. But when Gey cultured Henrietta’s cells, he noticed that the cells weren’t dying – in fact, they were multiplying. The culture grew so quickly that he had to move it to another jar! Gey was fascinated by this immortal cell line. He sent samples to any scientist who asked and eventually HeLa cells were turned into a BILLION-dollar industry.

Despite the fact that Henrietta’s cells were revolutionizing medicine, her family was completely unaware. They didn’t know that cells from her tumor had been taken and given to Gey, or that they were being used to create vaccines and cure diseases. Among others, Henrietta’s cells were used in the creation of the Polio vaccine, AIDS treatments and helped implement “informed consent,” a practice used in every aspect of medical and human research today. The sad thing is, Henrietta’s immediate family was and still is not able to afford health insurance to benefit from any of these discoveries.

Fascinating, isn’t it?

Rebecca Skloot has written a truly brilliant book. Not only does she discuss every aspect of medicine that was affected by Henrietta’s cells  (and let me tell you, you will be blown away by how many discoveries are essentially owed to her), she also delves into Henrietta’s family. For years, the Lacks were reluctant to discuss Henrietta and anything to do with her cells, but because Skloot genuinely wanted to help the family and tell Henrietta’s personal story, they obliged. This book is unique in the sea of all the papers written about Henrietta because it truly tells the full story of HeLa cells. Not only their role in science and medicine, but also Henrietta’s role in her family’s lives.

If you like science, or are even interested in human rights and history, you will love “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. I think it’s important to learn about the past and our mistakes. Henrietta’s story is so important and has impacted almost the entire world. Everyone has either been or knows a loved one who was treated with a medicine created using Henrietta’s cells or was vaccinated thanks to her. So pay homage and pick it up!

"Whew! Thank God I took those 5 shots last night."

In the words of Betsy from ABC Family’s Greek, “I don’t go to the gym five days a week for my health!” Could it be the drinking, Betsy?

According to a recently published study in the September/October issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion, those who are more likely to drink are also more likely to drag themselves to the gym (hungover or otherwise). Lead author Michael French, Ph. D says that “Alcohol users not only exercised more than abstainers, but the differential actually increased with more drinking.”

I knew drinking was good for my health! Take that, mom!

And it only gets better. The study showed that the more that women drank, the more time they spent exercising each week, on average. Light drinkers apparently exercised for 5.7 more minutes per week, moderate drinkers 10.1 minutes, and heavy drinkers (college students?) 19.9 minutes more per week. Yup, the study showed that women who drink were 10.1% more likely to engage in vigorous exercise (both in and out of the bedroom. Heyoooo).

But the study’s author was quick to say loud and clear that the heath risks associated with heavy drinking outweigh the benefits of more exercise. Boo(ze)!

As college women it makes a little more sense that we would have the time and motivation to exercise hard and party hard. But the study still begs the WTF about why the relationship between heavy drinking and regular exercise exists for women. Are we compensating for extra calories? Doing it out of guilt? Or are girls who choose to socialize in situations with alcohol more likely to enjoy exercise or the gym due to the social aspect of it? Do girls who like to stay in shape respond more to social pressures telling them to have a tight body and to drink heavily? Does this mean that non-drinkers are that much less likely to exercise? And who is healthier in the long-run, the active drunks or the sober slugs?

Either way, I’m not giving up my Friday runs: that 3-miler in the morning, or the one of the vodka variety later that night.

Journal reference:

1. French MT, Popovici I, Maclean JC. Do alcohol consumers exercise more? Findings from a national survey. American Journal of Health Promotion, 24(1), 2009

Scientists these days must be bored out of their minds, because many of the health studies that have been cropping up lately are painfully uninteresting. The results are so obvious that they might as well skip the experiment and just use their common sense. These “duh” stories really make you question the direction in which science is headed. Don’t these scientists have more important (and more shocking) discoveries to make?

Obese Americans Spend Far More on Health Care
The New York Times
According to a recent study, obese Americans spend 42% more on health care than Americans of normal weight. Although this is a serious issue, did we really need a formal study to tell us this? Who needs one to see that obesity (and the many health problems that result from it) is costly?

As Speed Limits Rise, So Do Death Tolls
The New York Times
A study of highway fatality rates has found that road deaths increased 3% after 1995, following the federal government’s repeal of the 55 mile-per-hour speed limit. Higher speed limits = more highway fatalities? I never would’ve imagined that.

Prenuptial Cohabiting Can Spoil Marriage
LiveScience.com
This one is a bit subtler, but still obvious nonetheless: couples who live together before marriage are more likely to get divorced than those couples that don’t shack up together until marriage. It’s a no-brainer, really. The more time you spend with someone (and their disgusting living habits), the more that person gets on your nerves. Anyone who has endured summer camps and college roommates can attest to that.

Tanning beds can be as deadly as arsenic
MSNBC.com
According to this study, tanning beds now definitely cause cancer. Breaking news: Prom-bound teen girls and dudes from the Jersey shore are rioting outside of Hollywood Tans everywhere.

Does Mom’s drinking harm breastfed babies?
LiveScience.com
I really don’t know. Anyone want to test this out?

Gentlemen, take a deep breath. You might not be too happy about the latest news from the science world.

Scientists have, for the first time, successfully created human sperm from stem cells. No, the sperm don’t have the face of Woody Allen and his awkward sense of humor; they have all the characteristics of naturally produced sperm, from the head to the tail. Although “functional tests” have yet to be conducted to see if sperm generated from stem cells can fertilize an egg (shot-not on being the testee! Tee hee…), the new breakthrough has been causing quite a stir – and some anxiety for the male population.

The sperm will be used to study male infertility, but there exists an underlying worry about the viability of “petri dish” babies and the possibility that men will no longer be necessary for human reproduction. While researchers involved in the study are quickly dismissing those ideas in something of a damage control media blitz, this development certainly opens the door to consideration.

So, what would the world be like if we didn’t need men? Certainly, we women would be less annoyed on a daily basis. No more fighting over the remote, no more waiting for him to call…wait a sec! Does this mean we wouldn’t have to wear make-up anymore? Can I kiss my razor goodbye? Hey, I’m kinda liking this alternative world!

Oh, relax, guys. Fortunately for you, scientists have only been able to create artificial sperm from male stem cells. You have nothing to worry about…yet. But if they figure out a way to make functional sperm with female stem cells, then we’ll have to revisit this topic of discussion. That’s when you’ll have to be afraid. And be afraid, boys. Be very afraid. (Mostly of women sans makeup or smooth, hairless legs…)

And my major, film and television, is one of them.

I decided to major in film and TV because I want to work in that industry one day (duh). I have always dreamed of being a screenwriter, producer, or, my ultimate goal, a movie director. When I tell people I that they look at me in shock. “Are there female directors??”

Uh, thanks, dude.
OF COURSE THERE ARE!

When I’m not in the male-dominated classroom, I work (with only 2 other women) for a show on a local TV station. The rest of the staff makes jokes about women constantly, and while it’s all in good fun and I know they’re good guys, I’m getting a bit sick of it. They never listen to me or the other two girls, and we’re kind of ignored when it comes to creative content. The only time they do listen to the women on staff is when it is coming from the size 4, blonde girl I work with. And that only upsets me even more. 

I don’t want to have to slather on the makeup to get the attention of my peers, but it seems the only other way I can get it is to demand it. Of course if I do that, I’m automatically labeled the bitch. Why is it that those are the only two options for us?

I’ve come to realize that this is a problem in a lot of majors. My best friend is a female engineer and she said that in that department the man to woman ratio is 12:1. Twelve to one! Where are all the smart women? Could it be that most of them were turned away from math at a young age after being told they couldn’t do it? And is it fair that those who stuck it out have to fight with that stigma every day as their male classmates silently size them up and ignore whatever insight they can bring to the topic at hand?

The truth is that no matter how far we’ve come, many of us still have to fight to prove ourselves every day. It’s not something many people realize on college campuses, but it is definitely a problem. Is this something you’ve seen? Share your experiences below!

Oh and did I mention that this was all before 9 am?

Great start the the weekend right? I guess this technically makes me a pessimistic, glass half empty, gray lining kind of gal. Unfortunately, I just learned this also means I will not live as long as my happy, shiny counterpart – the optimist.

Figures.

Don’t believe me? Check out the report in Time where 100,000 women over the age of 50 were asked to respond to a questionnaire that measured optimism. Participants were asked if they agreed with statements like, “In uncertain times, I expect the worst” (put a check next to the “agreed” column please). Eight years later, researchers studied the women’s death rates and found that those who were found to be optimistic were 14 times more likely to be alive than pessimists.

Ok, so maybe my outlook on life is killing me, but it’s hard not to expect the worst in these troubled economic times. Who knows where we’ll be or what we can expect tomorrow? And don’t even get me started on the world ending in 2012.

And you expect me to have a better attitude knowing that I’m going to die young?! No longer are we negative Nancys forced to only worry about frown lines, ulcers, and our tendency to throw things at the slightest upset, but now we have to wonder when our pessimistic nervous systems are going to give out?

This really is a bad day.

I suppose if I wanted to add on a few years to my increasingly shorter life span, I could just shrug my shoulders and say “at least it’s Friday.” Then again, I think it just started to rain. And my umbrella is broken

FML.

When it comes to sex, we are wayyyy too picky. Compared to the rest of the animal kingdom, humans have the most criteria for choosing a mate by far. Think about it – our selection process goes much further than “Wow, you’ve got some pretty colorful tail feathers there. Wanna screw?”

What is it that makes us consider so many characteristics of one person before deciding to have any sort of sexual relations with them? And why do those characteristics even matter? Now I ain’t no scientist, but I thought I’d give it my best shot and try to decipher this most peculiar of selection processes.

The Looks: First and foremost, you want your “mate” to be attractive. That one’s a given – nobody wants to hook up with somebody they find repulsive (unless alcohol is impairing their judgment, of course). Even animals look for companions that have characteristics they want to pass on to their young. But in a day in age where most of us don’t want to think about, let alone have, our own babies, why should looks even matter? Bragging rights, perhaps?

The Intelligence: Although this isn’t a make-or-break-er, I would imagine that most of us would rather not spend time conversing with someone with the intelligence of a pick axe. However, for the most part, one’s IQ cannot be inherited by offspring. In the animal kingdom, however, dim-witted animals eventually get weeded out by natural processes (ie. running towards, not away from, a pack of hyenas). Do we factor in intelligence as our own form of “natural selection,” or are we just hoping that intelligence will someday equal money?

The Car (among other things): Even if you think your love don’t cost a thang, you can’t deny the perks of having a wealthy beau. The scientific world may justify this as the desire to be with somebody who can “take care” of us. Instead of looking for mates that can beat up the entire jungle in our defense, however, we now look for people that can help us survive in our present environment. Well that, plus the fact that you look pretty H-O-T-T in a Mercedez.

The Personality: Now here’s the one I just don’t get. Most claim personality as the most important factor in picking a significant other, but there really is no evolutionary purpose behind this. Since most male species tend to bone, pop out a few babies, and peace out, we really are unique in this criterion. Maybe it’s the fact that we don’t want to spend long periods of time with people that drive us insane? Or is it just our own native instinct that tells us to wait for the one we love? Let me know what you think!

“Researchers used brain scans to show that when straight men looked at pictures of women in bikinis, areas of the brain that normally light up in anticipation of using tools, like spanners and screwdrivers, were activated.”

Ah! According to Men’s brains, woman = screwdriver. They think of us on the same level as a hammer or a wrench. Great, right? But wait; it get’s so much better!

“Scans of some of the men found that a part of the brain associated with empathy for other peoples’ emotions and wishes shut down after looking at the pictures.”

So here’s how it works: Man sees woman in bikini. Man thinks “Mmmm….tooools.” The human part of Man’s brain literally shuts off. Yay!

Thus women understand 85% of their interactions with heterosexual males. But wait…it actually gets EVEN BETTER.

“In the study, Fiske’s team put straight men into an MRI brain scanner and showed them images of either clothed men and women, or more scantily clad men and women. When they took a memory test afterwards, the men best remembered images of bikini-clad women whose heads had been digitally removed.”

Now women, we have a new strategy. How many times have you thought, “why didn’t he call?” The answer is he can’t remember you because you have a face. If you want a guy to call you, you simply have to follow 2 easy steps.

1. Wear a bikini

2. Wear a ski mask

3. (Optional) Carry a power drill and/or tool belt

Now if you follow these steps you are on your way to snagging a man. Just remember once you have him, try not to have feelings or desires….or a face. This will only confuse him.

Leave your own overheard convos in the comments.]

“This isn’t science! This is just a worm with a staple in it!”

“No, no. I don’t think I’d want to sleep with any of those directors. They all look like this one guy I worked with once.”

“Rachel – when I saw you out there, I could see why Dave likes you. No, wait – you’re Allison, Rachel’s the girl I’m dating.”

“Jesus christ! I was a turtle in high school!”

“A turtle is like a c**t.”

“All-male Vagina Monologues.”

“Vagina Monologues in funny voices!”

“Munchkin Vagina Monologues!”

Girl (into her cell phone): “I know, I totally thought the cab would be free if we made out in the back.”

“I’m… I’m sorry. Everything’s gone so wrong, I never meant for this to happen – we drank all the beers.”

“… I mean, I don’t get turned on by watching animals do it!”

“Okay! Throw a penny in the sausage fountain and make a wish!”

“I wish this fountain were full of water instead of sausages.”

“I bet Obama and Michelle totally did it after the stimulus vote.”

“Yeah, he was probably all, ‘stimulate this!’”

Girl: “Hey! Have you checked your horoscope today?”

Guy: “Damnit, are you talking about sports again?”