News worth sleeping on ... but not too long

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health recently concluded a major study on sleep and long-term mortality.

The researchers found that people who average less than seven hours of sleep a night or more than eight faced a statistically greater risk of dying early. The same was true of people who frequently use sleep medications.

The study assessed responses of 21,268 twins to questionnaires administered in 1975 and 1981. The scientists did not identify any specific mechanisms that would explain why these particular types of sleepers were more at risk. And they noted that the effect of sleep on mortality is modest compared with other behaviors, such as smoking.



Indeed, they observed that sleep issues may simply be indications of more serious underlying health problems, such as cardiovascular disease.

MEDTRONICA

College Women's Health

4collegewomen.org

A noncommercial site, developed by Brandeis University students for female college students. Various sections deal with general health concerns, tobacco and alcohol abuse, sexual violence and reproduction issues.

STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM

The "Guide Board to Health, Peace and Competence" offered this remedy for baldness in 1869:

"Baldness is considered a great calamity by many. It is brought on, in many cases, by wearing the hat too constantly or by any other means which keeps the head too warm. Another cause of baldness is the filthy practice of keeping the hair soaked in various kinds of greases.

"As a hair restorative, our readers would do well to try the following wash: Pour three pints of hot water on four handfuls of the stems and leaves of the garden box - boil it for 15 minutes in a closed vessel, then pour it in an earthen jar and let it stand 10 hours; next strain the liquid and add three tablespoons of cologne water; wash the head with this every morning. If this wash fails after a few weeks perseverance, the baldness may be considered incurable."

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Dromophobia - fear of crossing streets

NEVER SAY DIET

The world speed-eating record for tamales is 71 in 12 minutes, set last month by Timothy Janus.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

It takes human eyes almost one hour to fully adapt to seeing in near-dark. Once adapted, however, the eyes are roughly 100,000 times more sensitive than they are during daylight hours.

GET ME THAT. STAT!

Daily television viewing for two or more hours in early childhood can lead to behavioral problems and poor social skills, according to a new Johns Hopkins University study of children 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 years old. But much depended on the age of the child, and heavy TV watching that decreased over time was not associated with behavior or social problems.

LAST WORDS

At least I'll get some high-class education.

- Convicted murderer John W. Deering, while facing a firing squad. Deering had willed his body to the University of Utah.

OBSERVATION

Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

- Fran Lebowitz