| Can a firm grip and good balance lead to a longer life? Studies shows that test subjects with good strength, speed and balance are likely to outlive their weaker peersIf you have a firm grip and can stand on one leg, it may indicate that you are heading for a long life, according to a new study.Grip strength and single leg balance are two of four markers for physical ability examined by researchers from the Medical Research Council's unit for lifelong health and ageing. The other factors were speed of rising from a chair and walking pace.People who were faster, stronger or better balanced in these tests, say the researchers today in a paper published online by the British Medical Journal, were likely to outlive their slower and weaker peers.The object of the research was to work out whether these simple physical measures could be used to identify older people living in their own homes who might need more help.The MRC team reviewed 57 studies that had measured people's abilities in one of these four tests and had gone on to record their subsequent death. The team excluded any studies of people who were suffering from specific diseases.In one of the tests – grip strength, which is measured by squeezing a handle as hard as possible – studies in people aged under 60 had been carried out.The team found there was a link between weaker performance in the tests and earlier death. "We have found evidence of associations between all four measures of physical capability investigated (grip strength, walking speed, chair rises and standing balance) and all cause mortality," they write. "People in community dwelling populations who perform less well in these tests were consistently found to be at higher risk for death."They found that the stronger the performance in the tests, the more likely the participant was to live longer.In 14 studies (involving 53,500 people) that dealt with grip strength, the death rate among the weakest was 1.67 times greater than among the strongest, after taking age, sex and body size into account.In five studies (involving 14,700 people) that dealt with walking speed, the death rate among those who were slowest was 2.87 times greater than among the people who were fastest, after similar adjustments. In five studies (involving 28,000 people) that dealt with the speed at which seated volunteers stood up and sat down again), the death rate of those who were slowest was almost twice the rate of the fastest.The researchers say there are several possible explanations for the findings – one of which is possible skewing of the results because, for instance, the studies did not record and adjust for the socioeconomic circumstances and physical activity levels of the participants.Secondly, it is possible that the results simply reflected the general health status and underlying disease of the volunteers.But, they point out, the same association between performance and mortality risk was seen in the grip strength studies, which included a younger and presumably healthier population.The MRC team would like to see further trials done in younger people, to find out whether it is possible to spot those who may be at risk of an earlier death.But ultimately, they would like to know whether physical interventions – such as exercise programmes to improve people's fitness, grip strength, walking speed and so on – would result in longer lives.Dr Rachel Cooper of the ageing unit said: "Simple noninvasive assessment measures like these, that are linked to current and future health, could help doctors identify those most vulnerable to poor health in later life and who may benefit from early intervention to keep them active for longer."HealthAgeingMedical researchSarah Boseleyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Researcher digs into fish fossils past A student palaeontologist says he is trying to determine how to conserve fish species by researching fossils in western and north-west Queensland. abc.net.au |
Stem Cells in Court, Scientists Fear for Careers Hanging in the balance are thousands of jobs and millions in grants that support more than 200 research projects. feeds.nytimes.com |
Uni scraps creationism seminar The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has defended its decision to cancel a seminar on creationism. abc.net.au |
Birdbooker Report 145 & 146 Compiled by an ardent bibliophile, this is a weekly report about nature, science and history books that have been newly published in North America and the UK.Books to the ceiling, Books to the sky,My pile of books is a mile high.How I love them! How I need them!I'll have a long beard by the time I read them. ~ Arnold Lobel [1933-1987] author of many popular children's books. Compiled by Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen, the Birdbooker Report is a long-running weekly report listing the wide variety of nature, natural history, ecology, animal behaviour, science and history books that have been newly released or republished in North America and in the UK. The books listed here were received by Ian during the previous week, courtesy of these various publishing houses. Featured Titles: Das, Indraneil. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia. 2010. New Holland. Hardbound: 376 pages. Price: GBP 35.00 (about $56.00 U.S.) [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: South-East Asia is one of the richest parts of the world in terms of reptiles. The first comprehensive guide to the reptiles of this region, A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia covers all the reptiles recorded from mainland South-East Asia, from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia to Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the islands of the Great Sundas (including Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Bali). A detailed account with key identification characteristics, habitat and behaviour is included for each species, from crocodiles, tortoises and turtles, to lizards and snakes. Every recognized species is described, and 74 magnificent specially commissioned colour plates by top wildlife artists depict nearly 700 major species in meticulous detail. Where useful, details such as plastrons (for turtles and tortoises), juveniles, variants and head patterns are also shown on the plates.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: A very nice field guide, but it does lack range maps though! Kennerley, Peter and David Pearson. Reed and Bush Warblers. 2010. Helm Identification Guides. Hardbound: 712 pages. Price: 65 GBP (about $105.00 U.S.) [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: This detailed and comprehensive identification guide follows in the mould of Sylvia Warblers and Pipits and Wagtails. It primarily covers the genera Acrocephalus, Locustella, Cettia and Bradypterus, together with a few smaller related genera. To the uninitiated, these are the archetypal 'little brown jobs' and as if they weren't hard enough to identify anyway, many of them are hard to see as well! This authoritative handbook covers their identification in breathtaking detail, illustrated with line drawings, sonograms, wonderful colour plates and photographs. It is destined to become the ultimate reference for these challenging birds.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: Brian Small's artwork highlights this book! A must-have for all World twitchers and birders! New and Recent Titles: Chandler, David and Ian Llewellyn. Kingfisher. 2010. New Holland. Hardbound:128 pages. Price: GBP 12.99 (about $21 U.S.). [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: Usually encountered as a flash of blue or orange seen from the riverbank, most people are aware of the (Common) Kingfisher, but few are familiar with the intricacies of its day-to-day life.In this book, its remarkable existence is celebrated through a series of stunning chapters with images depicting courtship, nesting, fishing, winter survival and other important events in the lives of Kingfishers, which are further brought to life through the eloquent accompanying text which is enlivened by personal anecdotes from the author and photographer.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: The color photography highlights this book! Ballance, Alison. Kakapo: Rescued From the Brink of Extinction. 2010. Craig Potton Publishing. Hardbound: 215 pages. Price: $49.99 NZ (about $38.13 U.S. plus shipping). [Craig Potton Publishing]. SUMMARY: The Kakapo is one of New Zealand's most charismatic yet mysterious birds. It is also one of the world's most threatened species and yet, it's a New Zealand conservation success story. Kakapo is a book that embraces science, conservation, ingenuity and personal dedication. Through an informative and entertaining mix of hard facts, history and accounts of the daily and seasonal routines of the kakapo and their minders, Alison Ballance brings together these threads to tell the inspiring story of this remarkably eccentric bird.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: For anyone interested in parrots, endangered species and the birds of New Zealand! Donald, Paul F. et al. Facing Extinction: The World's Rarest Birds and the Race to Save Them. 2010. T & A D Poyser. Hardbound: 312 pages. Price: 45.00 GBP (about $72.50 U.S.). [Amazon UK]. SUMMARY: Almost two hundred species of birds have become extinct in the past 400 years, and a similar number today are in imminent danger of following them. The world's conservationists are leading the fight to prevent the demise of these remaining critically endangered birds, with a fair degree of success. This new book examines the process and issues concerning extinction -- how and why it happens and what can be done about it. Whilst man is to blame for many of the causes, such as persecution and habitat loss, species have become extinct on a regular basis since life began. After several thought-provoking introductory chapters, the book showcases about 20 species on the brink of extinction from around the world and describes the work that is being undertaken to save them. Some are success stories, but a few are not. This is a subject close to the hearts of all birders and ornithologists and this book, written by a team of leading conservationists, will strike a chord in most of them.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: For those with an interest in bird conservation. Colwell, Mark A. Shorebird Ecology, Conservation, and Management. 2010. University of California Press. Hardbound: 328 pages. Price: $60.00 U.S. [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: Shorebirds are model organisms for illustrating the principles of ecology and excellent subjects for research. Their mating systems are as diverse as any avian group, their migrations push the limits of endurance, and their foraging is easily studied in the open habitats of estuaries and freshwater wetlands. This comprehensive text explores the ecology, conservation, and management of these fascinating birds. Beginning chapters examine phylogenetic relationships between shorebirds and other birds, and cover shorebird morphology, anatomy, and physiology. A section on breeding biology looks in detail at their reproductive biology. Because shorebirds spend much of their time away from breeding areas, a substantial section on non-breeding biology covers migration, foraging ecology, and social behavior. The text also covers shorebird demography, population size, and management issues related to habitat, predators, and human disturbances. Throughout, it emphasizes applying scientific knowledge to the conservation of shorebird populations, many of which are unfortunately in decline.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in shorebird biology. Harrap, Simon and Nigel Redman. Where to Watch Birds in Britain (second edition). 2010. Helm. Paperback: 671 pages. Price: 19.99 GBP (about $32.00 U.S.). [Amazon UK: £ price; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: This guide covers the very best birding sites in Britain. In a format familiar to readers of this popular series, each site is considered in terms of 'Habitat', 'Access' and 'Birds', allowing birders of all levels to plan successful birding trips anywhere in Britain, and to maximise the chances of getting the best out of each site and each region. The book includes detailed maps of the larger sites, plus general maps of the regions covered, and it is illustrated with attractive line drawings. This book has been extensively revised, with several new sites added for this edition, together with information on disabled access for most sites.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: A must have for those birding in Britain! Davies, Alan and Ruth Miller. The Biggest Twitch: Around the World in 4,000 birds. 2010. Helm. Paperback: 301 pages. Price: 12.99 GBP (about $21.00 U.S.). [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: Most people dream of packing in their humdrum city life, selling up and heading off into the unknown for a life of adventure. For Ruth Miller and Alan Davies this dream became a reality, albeit with a twist; they decided to pack in their jobs, sell their house and take on the ultimate birder's challenge -- to smash the world record for the number of species seen in one calendar year. This book is the story of their great expedition, searching for birds from Ecuador to Ethiopia via Argentina, Australia and Arizona. We follow this birding odyssey as they rachet up the species and the stamps in their passports, sharing in amazing birding experiences such as monkey-hunting Harpy Eagles in the Brazilian rain forest, seedsnipes in the Peruvian highlands and lekking bustards in South Africa, all leading to the ultimate question -- will they break the magic 4,000? Written in an accessible style, this book will be of great interest to birders, readers of travel literature, and to people who simply enjoy a good adventure!IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: Birders and eco-tourists will enjoy this book! Laurin, Michel. How Vertebrates Left the Water. 2010. University of California Press. Hardbound:199 pages. Price: $34.95 U.S. [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: More than three hundred million years ago -- a relatively recent date in the two billion years since life first appeared -- vertebrate animals first ventured onto land. This illustrated book describes how some finned vertebrates acquired limbs, giving rise to more than 25,000 extant tetrapod species. Michel Laurin uses paleontological, geological, physiological, and comparative anatomical data to describe this monumental event. He summarizes key concepts of modern paleontological research, including biological nomenclature, paleontological and molecular dating, and the methods used to infer phylogeny and character evolution. Along with a discussion of the evolutionary pressures that may have led vertebrates onto dry land, the book also shows how extant vertebrates yield clues about the conquest of land and how scientists uncover evolutionary history.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: For those with an interest in vertebrate paleontology. Ash, Patricia J. and David J. Robinson. The Emergence of Humans: An Exploration of the Evolutionary Timeline. 2010. Wiley-Blackwell. Paperback: 324 pages. Price: $65.00 U.S. [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: The Emergence of Humans is an accessible, informative introduction to the scientific study of human evolution. It takes the reader through time following the emergence of the modern human species Homo sapiens from primate roots. Acknowledging the controversy surrounding the interpretation of the fossil record, the authors present a balanced approach in an effort to do justice to different views. Each chapter covers a significant time period of evolutionary history and includes relevant techniques from other disciplines that have applications to the field of human evolution. Self-assessment questions linked to learning outcomes are provided for each chapter, together with further reading and reference to key sources in the primary literature.The book will thus be effective both as a conventional textbook and for independent study. Written by two authors with a wealth of teaching experience, The Emergence of Humans will prove invaluable to students in the biological and natural sciences needing a clear, balanced introduction to the study of human evolution.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: Would make a good undergraduate level textbook. Holldobler, Bert and Edward O. Wilson. The Leafcutter Ants: Civilization by Instinct. 2010. W.W. Norton. Paperback: 160 pages. Price:$19.95 U.S. [Amazon UK; Amazon US]. SUMMARY: From the Pulitzer Prize-winning authors of The Ants comes this dynamic and visually spectacular portrait of Earth's ultimate superorganism. The Leafcutter Ants is the most detailed and authoritative description of any ant species ever produced. With a text suitable for both a lay and a scientific audience, the book provides an unforgettable tour of Earth's most evolved animal societies. Each colony of leafcutters contains as many as five million workers, all the daughters of a single queen that can live over a decade. A gigantic nest can stretch thirty feet across, rise five feet or more above the ground, and consist of hundreds of chambers that reach twenty-five feet below the ground surface. Indeed, the leafcutters have parlayed their instinctive civilization into a virtual domination of forest, grassland, and croplandfrom Louisiana to Patagonia. Inspired by a section of the authors' acclaimed The Superorganism, this brilliantly illustrated work provides the ultimate explanation of what a social order with a half-billion years of animal evolution has achieved.IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: Fans of the authors' earlier works will want this book! You can read the early Birdbooker Reports in the archives on my former ScienceBlogs site, and Ian now has his own website, The Birdbooker Report, where you can read his synopses about newly published science, nature and animal books.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |