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News & Advice
Soon, a simple blood check could determine if you’re at high risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness. Ophthalmologists at the University of Utah recently tested 890 people with and without AMD and found that those carrying an abnormal copy of a gene called HTRA1 had two times the risk for AMD as those with a normal version of the gene. People who learn they have the marker can be vigilant for warning signs: difficulty recognizing faces at a distance, straight lines that appear wavy, or a blurred spot at central vision. The test should be available by the end of this year.
Most men start getting a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which helps detect prostate cancer, at age 50. But a Johns Hopkins University study suggests age 40 is better. The extra 10 years’ worth of data helps doctors chart how quickly antigen levels rise over time and detect tumor growth in early stages. Plus, since a high PSA level could signal a benign condition, establishing a baseline earlier could save an unnecessary biopsy or treatment later .
A hockey-loving scientist who attended the National Hockey League finals in Edmonton last year had more than hot dogs and beer in his hands—he had sophisticated sound equipment that measured the decibel level of the crowd. Although most people can handle around 85 decibels over an 8-hour period without damaging their hearing, the noise in Edmonton was literally deafening. Within 3 hours, fans assaulted their ears with over 100 decibels of vocal enthusiasm—spiking to 120 decibels when the hometown Oilers scored. In a study published in the Canadian Medical Journal, researchers concluded that a simple over-the-counter pair of earplugs can prevent damage to fans’ ears.
Listen To This
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5.2 million children ages 6 to 19 have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss in at least one ear. Here are the noise hazards and how to muffle them:
MP3 Players: At full volume, these can put out over 100 decibels (dB)—only a few decibels softer than a chain saw and loud enough to affect hearing in 5 minutes. Brian Fligor, ScD, director of diagnostic audiology at Children’s Hospital Boston, recommends capping the volume at 50% if listening all day. At 80%, you can safely listen for 90 minutes. You can get free software that allows you to limit the maximum volume on your child’s iPod. For more information go to apple.com/sound. :
Concerts: “You have about 2 minutes to enjoy a rock concert before your ears pay the price,” says Raymond Hull, PhD, director of the Center for Research in Communicative Science and Disorders at Wichita State University. Before your teen goes to a concert, buy foam earplugs from the drugstore; they knock offabout 30 dB if inserted properly (follow package directions).
Toys: In its annual toy survey, the Sight & Hearing Association found that 12 out of 15 toys tested emitted sounds that were as loud as a car horn (100 dB) and could pose a danger to delicate ears after just 15 minutes of play. A toy that’s louder than your typical conversational voice (around 70 dB) is too noisy for your child—choose another. Select toys with volume control or put masking tape over the speakers.
Make it easy for ER staff to reach your loved ones quickly: Program the numbers of two emergency contacts into your cell phone and name the entry ICE. It stands for In Case of Emergency, and if you’re seriously hurt, medical responders know to check your contacts.
BRITISH RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND that chewing gum may curb cravings. When study participants chewed gum for at least 15 minutes, 1 hour after eating and then again at the 2-hour mark, their desire for sweets decreased by 11% compared with those who didn’t. Gum chewers also ate, on average, 36 fewer calories when presented with a buffet of snacks 3 hours after lunch. Researchers speculate that because gum exposes your taste buds to sweetness, it may send a hunger-reducing signal to your brain.
In a study published online in the British Medical Journal, researchers assigned 241 patients to either 10 sessions of acupuncture over 3 months or 3 months of typical care (drugs, physiotherapy, massage, and back exercises), then later asked them to rate their back pain on a scale of 0 to 100. After 12 months, the acupuncture group’s pain ratings had improved by 5.6 points more than the control group’s. After 2 years, the acupuncture group was 8 points ahead of the control. To find an acupuncturist, visit superpages.com.
Noise keeping you awake at night? Buy foam earplugs (they won’t hurt your ear canals when you turn over) that can block 32 decibels. You’ll be able to hear emergency sirens, but not low-level noise.
