Long Commutes Bad for Health & Marriage; Americans Choose Low Weight over No Debt

On our Lab Notes page CalorieLab’s editors select and rank the day’s essential health news items in real time. Readers can suggest, vote and comment on items. Below are brief summaries of this past week’s (August 10, 2013 through August 17, 2013) Lab Notes items. To see today’s items, visit Lab Notes.
1. Long Commutes Bad for Health & Marriage. http://newbodyreview.theclever.me/cause-infection-and-germs.html

According to several recent studies, people who spend inordinate amounts of time commuting to work risk health and marital problems, including higher rates of neck and back pain and obesity, and a 40% higher divorce rate.
2. Americans Choose Low Weight over No Debt

Half of U.S. men and 38% of women say that how much they weigh is more important to them than how much debt they’re in, 35% of all adults worry more about their weight than their debt, and 72% would not gain 25 pounds to be totally debt-free.
3. Exercise, a Common Prescription for Insomnia

Exercise may be the best medicine for people with sleep problems – but give it time to kick in.

4. Induced or Sped-Up Births Linked to Autism

Women whose labor is induced are 13% more likely to bear an autistic child, while those whose labor is speeded up are 16% more likely, but doctors note that labor is induced to soothe distressed babies who are otherwise 27% more likely to be autistic. http://venusfactor.thecrazy.me/cause-infection-and-germs.html5. San Diego Mayor Not Welcome at Hooters

Downtown San Diego Hooters chain restaurant has announced that Mayor Bob Filner, 70, isn’t welcome.
6. New Biomarker Found for Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers have identified a new biomarker that could detect Alzheimer’s disease years before onset.
7. Elders with Anemia Are More Dementia-Prone

Some 25% of people over the age of 65 are anemic, and a new study finds that being anemic makes you 40% more likely to develop dementia. The key: anemic blood carries less oxygen to the brain, which can lead to memory loss and mental problems.
8. When and Where We’re Most Depressed

Based on a mega-analysis of Google searches for health-related information on depression, Americans are most depressed on February 27, especially if they live in either of our two most depressed locales: North Dakota, or Presque Isle, Maine.
9. OxyContin Keeps Database of Suspect Docs

OxyContin maker compiled database of doctors suspected of prescribing the drug to dealers and addicts. They have yet to release info to authorities.
10. Soda Industry Reeling Under Sales Declines

The fortunes, or at least the U.S. sales, of the soda industry seem to be in decline, with PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper all suffering significant reductions in the sales volume of their sugary and diet drinks alike over the past decade.
11. Americans’ Bodily Toxins Vary By Wealth

Rich and poor Americans alike experience buildups of environmental toxins in their bodies, but the toxins differ based on economic status and associated lifestyle elements such as seafood consumption, cigarette smoking, and sun bathing. http://dietfoods.likeapro.me/persons-with-diarrhea-or-vomiting.html
12. More Couples Turning to Surrogacy

Jimmy Fallon revealed that his infant daughter was born via surrogate, a practice that has become more accepted recently.