Overuse of smartphone ruins relationships

Weight loss, exercise may boost fertility odds in women

Women facing fertility issues can increase their probability of conception if they exercise and lose weight, says a new study. Researchers compared pregnancy outcomes in 150 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that occurs when the female body makes higher than normal amounts of testosterone and androgens. For the first four months of the study, 49 women were given birth control pills, 50 were asked to exercise and follow a low calorie diet and 51 were directed to do both. Five women in the first birth control group became pregnant, 13 in the second group and 12 women in the third group. “The results suggest that exercise and weight loss might play a bigger role in conception than just regulating ovulation with birth control pills before trying to conceive,” said lead study author Dr Richard Legro of Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. Read more here.

Excessive use of smartphone damages relationships

Excessive use of smartphones in the company of one’s partner can ruin relationships and lead to depression. Researchers at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business conducted two separate surveys involving 453 adults in the US, to determine the impact of Pphubbing—a term used to describe the extent to which people use their smartphone in the presence of their partners. The researchers found that 46.3 % of the participants reported being phubbed by their partner, 22.6% said phubbing caused conflict in their relationships and 36.6% reported feeling depressed because of it. “Pphubbing created conflict and led to lower levels of reported relationship satisfaction. These lower levels of relationship satisfaction, in turn, led to lower levels of life satisfaction and, ultimately, higher levels of depression,” said research co-author James A. Roberts. The study was published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. Read more here.

Cancer risk higher in taller people

Taller women are more likely to be afflicted with breast and skin cancer, claims a Swedish research. The researchers studied the birth, health and military records of 5.5 million people born between 1938 and 1991 and found that with every extra 10 cm (4-inches), the risk of breast cancer increased by 20% in women and 11% in men. The findings support similar links found in other studies between height and elevated cancer risk. But the researchers said their work was based on the largest group of men and women yet. An American study from 2013 had found a 13% higher risk of developing certain cancers for each 10 cm of height in women. The new research was met with some skepticism by outside experts who questioned the methodology, and stressed there was a much stronger cancer risk link with factors such as genetics or obesity. Dorothy Bennett, a scientist at the University of London, said, “It sounds an odd relationship at first glance, but it is actually very plausible that the risk of cancer in a person should be related to the number of cells in their body, since that determines the number of cells at risk.” The findings were presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology conference. Read more here.

Hearing issues in old age sign of early death

A study claims older adults with mild or serious hearing issues are at greater risk of dying than those with normal hearing. Though the reasons are not clear yet, it corroborates the fact that hearing impairment in old age plays an important role in the person’s survival. The researchers studied data provided by nationally representative surveys conducted between 2005 and 2010 as well as death records at the end of 2011. The people covered in the analysis were over 70 years of age and had undergone hearing testing. The researchers found that people with moderate or severe hearing impairment had a 54% greater risk of dying than those with normal hearing. The study was published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Read more here.

Compiled by Abhijit Ahaskar.