Darwin Awards: Men Take More Dumb Risks Than Women

by Natalie Shoemaker

Men may take more risks, but they also tend to take more dumb risks that end in tragedy. Science says it is so, therefore it must be true.

Jenny Kunter of Salon highlights a playful study that was recently released by the British Medical Journal, which pitted the sexes against one another in a battle for the title as the bigger risk-taker. The men won out as the riskier of the two. However, the study's data was based on the winners of the Darwin Award over the last 20 year. The award's purpose is to highlight someone that has perished in such an idiotic manner than their demise has ensured the success of the species with one less dullard producing progenies, thus strengthening the genetic pool.

Out of those who have been given the Darwin Award from 1995 to 2014, men took home the prize over 80 percent of the time.

“This finding is entirely consistent with male idiot theory (MIT) and supports the hypothesis that men are idiots and idiots do stupid things.”

The researchers speculate that alcohol may play a role in these poor decisions, giving them liquid courage in a situation that some would question if not under the influence. The study cites a particular occasion:

“For example, the three men who played a variation on Russian roulette alternately taking shots of alcohol and then stamping on an unexploded Cambodian land mine. (Spoiler alert: the mine eventually exploded, demolishing the bar and killing all three men.)”

The other hypothesis is that some men may also engage in risky behavior to win the esteem of their fellow men or to get “bragging rights” for a particular act. However, the researchers admit that the study may deserve further study in order to solidify their “male idiot theory.” The researchers joked:

“We believe MIT deserves further investigation, and, with the festive season upon us, we intend to follow up with observational field studies and an experimental study—males and females, with and without alcohol—in a semi-naturalistic Christmas party setting.”

Read more at Salon

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Even If You're Healthy, Weight Gain Carries Risks

by Natalie Shoemaker

You've put on a few pounds since Thanksgiving, and the holiday binge isn't quite over. But it's no issue, you say, a couple pounds isn't unhealthy. However, just gaining that little extra weight—even if you're not obese—increases your risk of cardiovascular and other diseases, according to a recent study.

Nicholas Bakalar of the New York Times writes on a paper, available online on PLOS Medicine, on a compelling study consisting of 12,664 young adults participants within a normal weight range. The premise of the research was to test whether an elevated body mass index (BMI) had adverse effects on metabolic processes. The researchers used the method of Mendelian randomization to examine 32 genes variants associated with a higher BMI. Each one was then assigned a “genetic score,” which was given based on predisposition to weight gain. Because of the high volume of people as part of the study, the researchers were able to separate nature from nurture—which were genetic tendencies towards obesity and which ones were caused by circumstance, such as diet, income, and exercise.

Those with elevated BMIs tended to have higher gene scores, which suggests that one's BMI can be a huge determination in whether someone runs a higher risk of developing a cardiometabolic diseases. An elevated BMI alone causes these risk factors to occur, meaning they aren't necessarily influenced by eating junk foods or exercise. It doesn't matter how you do it, just maintain a stable, healthy BMI (though, diet and exercise certainly help).

After a period of six years, researchers examined 1,488 young adults, finding that increases in BMI—even within a healthy range--has adverse effects to their metabolism. While weight loss (within a healthy BMI) decreased these chances. Lead author and Head of Molecular Epidemiology at the University of Oulu in Finland, Peter Würtz, concluded from the data:

“Our study in young adults shows that even a modest weight loss tends to improve the metabolic profile. It doesn’t have to be a large change to have a beneficial role. Even with a normal B.M.I. of 24, it’s worth it to try to get it lower.”

It's a good thing New Years is just around the corner, so think about hitting the gym to get that BMI down within a healthy range if it has been on the uptick over the holidays. Your chances of extending your life increase exponentially.

Read more at the New York Times

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

What to Consider When Measuring a Job Offer

by Robert Montenegro

As Forbes contributor Liz Ryan writes, the ordeal of finding a new full-time job can lead you to believe that any employment is better than unemployment. Don't fall into this trap! The last thing you want to do is tether yourself to a job that you'll hate and won't help advance your career prospects. Even if you feel up against a wall, acting out of defense will only lead to disappointment down the line.

When offered a position, Ryan says to ask for a written offer letter and make sure all your personal needs are met. Compare the specs on the letter to your wish list. Accept if you're satisfied. If not, take advantage of your negotiating power. Know that the company has already invested in making you the offer and won't rescind it as long as you handle your rebuttal with tact.

The items Ryan says you need to consider include your job title, compensation, and benefits:

"Don’t think 'I can’t possibly negotiate this offer! Maybe the company will rescind it if I do that!' If you have that much fear going into the job, then I guarantee that taking the job will be a bad thing for you. It isn’t reasonable to ask for the moon, but it is more than reasonable for ask for a salary that matches the responsibility level of the job, a title that reflects the scope of the role, and a time-off allowance that honors the time you’ve already spent in the workforce."

The article also includes Ryan's thorough guide for negotiating a job offer, so I recommend giving the link below a click to read the whole thing. Have you ever negotiated a job offer? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more at Forbes

Photo credit: milan2099 / Shutterstock

The Chemistry of Chemical Hand Warmers

by Robert Montenegro

If you live in the parts of the world that are about to get really, really cold this month (if you're not already there now), you probably recognize the little wonders in the photo above. Hand warmers. Glorious, glorious hand warmers.

Esther Inglis-Arkell over at io9 has an informative little piece up on that site right now about the simple chemistry that causes these little packets to reach 57 ºC without aid of a flame. The secret? Oxidation:

"Small pieces of iron are dispersed in heat packs, isolated by the wrapping on the pack from any oxygen. When the wrapping comes off, the permeable membrane of the pack lets oxygen in and makes it "oxidize" the iron... The iron in the heat packs is surrounded by a chemical that allows the reaction to go much faster. It's ordinary salt, and it's why a lot of important iron things get eaten through in the winter, when salt is regularly thrown on streets and sideways to de-ice them, and is then kicked up on to cars and buildings, getting a good rust started on them unless they're well protected."

That's awesome knowledge. For more on how these things works, be sure to check out the full piece linked below.

Read more at io9

Photo credit: Heatpax

Polaroid's Edwin H. Land: "Politeness is the poison of collaboration"

by Big Think Editors

Edwin H. Land (1909-1991) was an American scientist and inventor best known for inventing the Polaroid instant camera. Land was also a major pioneer of espionage photography and helped design the optics on the U-2 spy plane. He held 535 patents, was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and became a major influence on Apple's Steve Jobs. The following quote seems to sum the both of them up nicely.

"Politeness is the poison of collaboration."

(h/t Wikiquote)

Realizing Your Dog's Weight Problem May Help You with Yours

by Natalie Shoemaker

Dogs aren't fitness trackers. Yes, they'll let you know when they need to go out, but if your plans for adopting a dog are only to motivate yourself to exercise, think again. Dogs are just as susceptible to humanity's growing weight problem. But a new study shows that owners are willing to act when they realize their pets' lives are at risk.

There's a common myth that dog owners are fit. Gretchen Reynolds of the New York Times highlights several studies with contradictory findings on this subject. One from 2013 reports that dog owners spend an hour more per week walking than people without dogs. While another from 2008 found that close to a quarter of dog owners never walked their pets--getting less exercise than those without a dog. However, there's one study that shows promise for owners that have slipped into a sedentary lifestyle, and their pet with them. Veterinarians and physicians at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences conducted a study that found dog owners were willing to make lifestyle changes if it was for the sake of their dog's health.

The researchers gathered 32 dog owners to participate in the study. The dogs were considered obese according to each ones age, size, and breed, and all had adopted a sedentary lifestyle—much like their owners. The group was split into two: One group was told by a veterinarian that they needed to keep an eye on their dog's health and nutrition, while the other group was told their dog was overweight and needed more exercise. The latter group was given a prescription that required 30 minutes of walking every day for their dog.

After three months, the dogs and their owners were evaluated, showing that both groups--humans and dogs--had lost weight.

“Based on our findings, both groups increased physical activity and [body condition scores] decreased significantly, and veterinarian-based counseling may have impacted these changes.”

Capt. Mark B. Stephens M.D., a Professor of Family Medicine and co-author of the study, had his own take on the findings, stating:

“...love and concern for a dog can be a powerful motivation for exercise.”

Read more at New York Times

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Niagara Falls Will Pay Your Student Loans If You Move There

by Natalie Shoemaker

Niagra Falls, New York teeters on the line between city and town—a classification that mean the difference between more or less federal funding. However, Emily DeRuy and Geneva Sands of Fusion report that the city/town has a plan to help its population grow above the 50,000 mark needed to secure that money: promise to pay-off a portion of student debt.

The population of Niagara Falls peeked in the 1960s at 102,000 residents and has since declined by half. But, in a move to boost numbers, Niagara Falls is offering a deal to graduates—saying it will pay off $7,000 in student loans over the course of two years. Seth Piccirillo, the city's Community Development Director, came up with the idea as a solution to the city's shrinking population and to the debt crisis students are facing. So, the deal comes with a caveat, graduates will have to live in a neighborhood near the boarded-up Main Street in Niagara Falls for two years. While the allure of paying off loans is certainly tempting, the city comes with its own challenges for students.

The program has five participants, according to Deruy and Sands—hardly the number needed to incur change. But it has brought people who would have never considered Niagara Falls as a destination after college. As to whether these five will stay is up to Niagara Fall's job market. However, Deruy and Sands report that the weekly wage in the area averages around $750—well below the $1,027 national average. Most of the participants have struggled to find work locally, instead, holding down jobs outside its limits in coffee shops, malls, and at various other part-time jobs.

Piccirillo knows these issues won't hold students after the two years are up, but he's optimistic about the future of the city's revival and this program's success. His vision for the future would be partnering with private companies to kick-start the program further. Perhaps partnering with employers to offer loan repayment perks if the students come to work for them.

As students race to the major metropolitan areas to find work, perhaps, programs like the one in Niagara Falls will help kick-start long-term, future progress for dwindling cities while also benefiting graduates. After all, you never know who might settle in and create the next Silicon Valley.

Read more at Fusion

Photo Credit: Michelle/Flickr