Can E-Mail Make You Fat? Monday, 18 March 2013 21:35 Boston, Massachusetts & Nashville, Tennessee — A new study has found that relationships between coworkers can predict Body Mass Index (BMI). It also says that corporate e-mail traffic data can now be used to map a social network that identifies connections influential to one’s likelihood of being obese. Published in the peer-reviewed journal, PLOS ONE, the study focuses on testing scalable methods for mapping workplace social networks and investigating how well these network maps forecast BMI. The study mapped a corporate social network at a multi-site company using survey data and readily available data from e-mail traffic. Based on the pioneering science developed at Harvard University by Dr. Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, PhD, their research was conducted jointly by social network analytics firm Activate Networks and the world’s largest well-being improvement company, Healthways. Read more...

Smart as a Pig Monday, 18 March 2013 21:15 Urbana, Illinois, March 2013 — A mutual curiosity about patterns of growth and development in pig brains has brought two University of Illinois research groups together. Animal scientists Rod Johnson and Ryan Dilger have developed a model of the pig brain that they plan to use to answer important questions about human brain development.    The two scientists performed MRI scans on the brains of 16 piglets, starting at the age of 2 weeks, then at 4 weeks, and then at 4-week intervals up to 24 weeks.   “We have world-class people (at the Beckman Institute on the University campus) pushing and developing the next generation of neuro-imaging technology, so we’re able to connect with them and take advantage of their expertise,” said Johnson. Read more...   Comfort Food? Thursday, 24 May 2012 15:31 Granada, Spain, April 2012 – How does that burger make you feel? Full? Satisfied? Sad? A new study from the University of Granada suggests there may be a correlation between eating fast food and developing depression. Various nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, are directly linked to mental health. However, there is little to no research of any link between fast food or processed pastries and mental health. Recently, the researchers in Spain began experimenting with that relationship. The study, which lasted an average of 6.2 years, followed 8,964 participants, measuring their intake of processed food. Chosen participants included those with no history of depression or usage of anti-depressants. They were also free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension. Read more...