GOOD QUESTIONS
The curse of sitting / Four-legged help for children’s development / Where fat is your friend / The universal lullaby / Weighted blankets for better rest / Dance moves to help you age / Our radar for high-calorie food / Coffee to keep you going / Acupuncture with something extra / Hope for runners’ knees. Pages 5-7
The limits of human speed. Page 25 / Survival in the heat. Page 45
PERHAPS THEY ARE
KIDS’ BEST FRIENDS, TOO
Living in a home with a dog may be linked to healthier psychological development in young children. Australian scientists found that children with dogs were about 30 percent less likely than dogless children to have conduct problems, 40 percent less likely to have difficulty relating to peers, and 34 percent more likely to show pro-social behavior. The researchers say that while the study does not prove cause and effect, it does suggest that the benefits of dog ownership start very early in life. — Nicholas Bakalar
LEAVE THE CHAIR AND TAKE A WALK
Surveys indicate that a majority of people are exercising less and sitting more since the start of the pandemic, and past studies have shown a link between sitting and mortality. But recent research suggests that people can slash the threat significantly with even just a little activity. Walking for at least 11 minutes a day could lessen the consequences of sitting for hours, according to researchers led by Ulf Ekelund at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. They concluded that the sweet spot for physical activity and longevity seemed to arrive at about 35 minutes a day of brisk walking or other moderate activities. —