Clothes may soon be able to kill bacteria and viruses. A new, inexpensive way of treating cotton may result in clothing which contains fewer bacteria, leading to odour-free sports clothes, cleaner hotel and hospital bedding and a smaller risk of disease spread by the clothing of healthcare workers. The new antimicrobial fabric is treated with a chemical containing chlorine which has been found to kill bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. In the future, this chemical may be grafted onto wooden cutting boards to kill food-borne bacteria on contact. --(Reuters)
"You can win with asthma," believes the Asthma Society of Ireland. Asthma In Sports is the title of the society's a.g.m. and forum, which features experts giving the views of the coach, the doctor and the athlete. A panel of Irish sports stars will include Meath GAA player Tommy Dowd (right) and rugby league player and former Irish international Mick Molloy. At the Arts Centre, Bank of Ire- land, Foster Place, Dublin 2 on September 4th, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For further de- tails, tel: 01-8788511.
Can a couple who have been happily married for 30 years share retirement without driving each other crazy? The answer is "not always", according to US research. It can depend on which partner retires first: newly-retired women and men tend to be more depressed than when they were working, especially if their partner remains employed. Re-employment after retirement was found to increase morale, reduce depression and cut marital conflict - but only if it was the husband who was re-employed. (American Psychological Association)
Children in Hospital Ireland is a voluntary service which runs playgroups and provides information and parental support in eight Dublin hospitals. The group is currently looking for volunteers (over 18) who can offer one morning, afternoon or evening each week. For further information, tel: 01-8780448 or write to: Children in Hospital Ireland, Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.
People who don't exercise may be labelled "lazy", but it might not be their fault, according to scientists in Scotland who are beginning research to discover whether or not laziness is genetic. Researchers believe pinpointing a "lazy" gene could eventually lead to therapies which increase the desire for exercise and improve health. Previous research into fruit flies found some were genetically disposed to "sitting" while others were more active. (BBC)
Fashion magazines with ultra-thin models have been accused of encouraging excessive dieting and leading to eating disorders in adolescent girls - which has been supported by laboratory research. But, according to new US research, only girls who already had body-image problems were at risk of negative effects. The 220 girls in the study, who read the magazine Seventeen over 20 months, showed no thin-ideal internalisation, no increased dieting or problems of body image. Depression increased, however, among girls who were previously dissatisfied with their bodies. (Eureka)