Backpacks can be one of the most germ-infested items for kids in school. (Flickr via Snaxboy)
Male circumcision may have more health benefits than it does risks, according to a new statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics. CBS News reports that the Academy recently released guidelines on the procedure and although not officially recommending it, they've suggested insurers should cover the costs. Research done in preparation for the new pediatric statement found that circumcision can help reduce risk of male urinary tract infections, cancer and some forms of sexually transmitted diseases.
MSN recently released a list of the "10 Germiest Back-to-School Places" as students return to the classroom this fall. Included in the list are backpacks, classroom air and school pools. Water fountains are also cited as one of the most bacteria-ridden places, and Michael G. Schmidt, Ph.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina, told MSN that fountains can transfer norovirus, a virus that often causes nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea. Schmidt suggests drinking from the center of the water stream to minimize risk of catching disease.
With the presidential election quickly creeping up on voters, some studies suggest that voting tendencies could be influenced by genetics. In an article by HealthDay, Peter Hatemi, an associate professor of political science, microbiology and biochemistry at Pennsylvania State University, said; "Since about 2005, there has been a turning of the tide that genes can influence political traits." He said genes can influence where you end up living and working and who your friends are, which can also all effect your political persuasions.
People who start smoking pot as a teen and continue frequent use may see a drop in their I.Q., while those who start smoking as adults may not, according to a story from the New York Times. The Times cites a study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which determined that a "developing teenage brain is especially vulnerable to drug use." The study showed that pot smokeres who used the drug continually from high school through age 38, scored lower on an I.Q. test than when they were originally tested at the age of 13.
