ScienceDaily: Living Well News

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• Shared custody is becoming the norm in America
• Low IQ students learn to read at 1st-grade level after persistent, intensive instruction
• 'Bottom-dollar effect' influences consumer satisfaction with products, study finds
• How movies may make you drink more
• Scottish kids among world's least active, global health report card reveals
• Technology: improving quality of life for dependent elderly adults?
• Higher temperatures may cause greater illness among COPD patients
• Take precaution when spicing your foods with bulk spices
• Safe routes to school program reduces injuries, saves hundreds of millions of dollars

Shared custody is becoming the norm in America Posted: 21 May 2014 10:37 AM PDT It's no longer a certainty that American mothers will get custody over their children during a divorce. In fact, joint custody is becoming the norm, research shows. The analysis further shows that shared custody remains more likely for higher income families, while the gender and age of the children involved do not carry much weight.

Low IQ students learn to read at 1st-grade level after persistent, intensive instruction Posted: 21 May 2014 10:37 AM PDT Children identified as intellectually disabled or low IQ learned to read at a first-grade level after persistent, intensive instruction from a scientifically based curriculum, a study shows. The findings of the pioneering four-year study raise expectations for all struggling readers, said the lead author. "We shouldn't give up on anybody. These children can learn not only functional skills, but reading as well, giving each one a shot at a more independent life."

'Bottom-dollar effect' influences consumer satisfaction with products, study finds Posted: 21 May 2014 06:43 AM PDT Consumers experience significant differences in satisfaction based solely on budget status or financial condition at the time of purchase, research concludes. While the relationship between the pain of spending and satisfaction with the purchase has been tested in other ways, this research is the first to empirically link budgets, spending pain and satisfaction, as participants purchased, consumed and evaluated actual products.

How movies may make you drink more Posted: 20 May 2014 01:29 PM PDT Alcohol use is often portrayed positively or even glamorized in movies. A new study looks at how alcohol portrayals in movies may affect viewers. Both positive and negative portrayals can contribute to viewers' emotional involvement in, attitude toward, and evaluation of the movie. "Product placement is more subtle than general ads, occurring when a company pays movie makers to portray its brand in a movie. Strategies to embed advertisements in a movie context with appealing actors -- and without viewers' conscious processing of the intentions of the message -- might be even more powerful than general advertising strategies since the message is not perceived as advertising," researchers noted.

Scottish kids among world's least active, global health report card reveals Posted: 20 May 2014 08:56 AM PDT Video game-obsessed Scottish children are among the least active in the world, research has suggested. Out of 15 countries assessed, kids in Scotland came bottom of two league tables – one ranking physical activity, and the other screen-based leisure time, including watching TV and gaming. The Global Matrix assessed nine indicators – overall physical activity; organized sport participation; active play; active transportation; sedentary behaviors; family and peers; school; community and built environment; and government strategies and investments.

Technology: improving quality of life for dependent elderly adults? Posted: 19 May 2014 06:04 AM PDT Western populations are aging. As a result, there is an increase in elderly adults living in specialized institutions. A 'paradoxical side effect' of this is a feeling of solitude and isolation. Can information and computer technologies prevent this and work to improve the quality of life for such adults? New research suggests it can.

Higher temperatures may cause greater illness among COPD patients Posted: 19 May 2014 05:46 AM PDT If you suffer from COPD, staying cool this summer may provide much more significant benefits than simply feeling more comfortable. A study says it may also keep you healthier. The study found COPD patients who were exposed to warm indoor temperatures had greater disease-related morbidity, including an increase in symptoms, a rise in the use of rescue medications and a decline in lung function. Higher outdoor temperatures were also associated with increased COPD symptoms.

Take precaution when spicing your foods with bulk spices Posted: 16 May 2014 05:29 PM PDT Four out of 10 bulk spices purchased in the Kansas City metro area contain contaminants that include heavy metals, mycotoxins and/or bacteria. Four bulk spices typically associated with salmonella contamination included black pepper, thyme, oregano and turmeric. Cooking bulk spices to at least 160 degrees can kill the bacteria; however, putting bulk spices on already prepared foods could contaminate the foods and lead to foodborne illness.

Safe routes to school program reduces injuries, saves hundreds of millions of dollars Posted: 15 May 2014 01:38 PM PDT In an effort to create safe environments for American children to walk or bike to school, New York City made safety changes to the most dangerous intersections near schools including narrowing intersections by building out sidewalks and installing speed humps among other interventions. The program cost $10 million but will bring about an overall net societal benefit of $230 million (in 2013 value) saved and 2055 quality-adjusted life years gained in NYC.

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