News lifestyle 2008-05-21 Andanh.com

Daily checkup Wed, 21 May 2008 09:10 EDT
GENE VARIANT SHOWN TO AFFECT SUGAR INTAKE

Researchers have found that people with a common variant of a gene that helps the body handle sugar are more likely to crave foods like soda and cake. Sucrose, fructose and glucose -- if it is sugar, they like it.

Writing in the online edition of Physiological Genomics, researchers from the University of Toronto say the gene, glucose transporter type 2, helps the brain regulate the intake of food.

The researchers looked at two groups of people and compared the eating habits of those with the regular gene and those with the variant form of it.

One group consisted of about 125 overweight men and women who were in the early stages of diabetes but were not being medicated for it. They were asked to keep a record of what they ate over three days, and then to repeat the procedure two weeks later.

Summer is for reading Wed, 21 May 2008 09:40 EDT

Summer's almost here, and kids are counting the days until they can put their textbooks to rest for a while. But that doesn't mean all books have to be tossed aside. Area libraries and literacy programs are hoping to encourage kids to keep reading for fun all summer long with an array of activities and special events.

.Catch the Reading Bug. is the summer reading program theme at many area libraries this year. Kids can expect lots of chances to learn about ladybugs, cockroaches, ants, bees and, the star of many a summer evening, lightning bugs while they read toward a goal of earning free prizes.

The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning's .Mind in Motion. summer series of classes also offers lots of chances for kids to read, read, read and even write stories of their own.

With all the opportunities to choose from, adults might learn a thing or two . like how quickly a summer's afternoon can fly by when you're surrounded by good books and an eager young reader.

Wii Fit will pull gamers off the couch Mon, 19 May 2008 17:16 EDT

Playing video games has long been synonymous with being a couch potato.

But the Nintendo Wii's latest game, Wii Fit, encourages gamers to get moving . and hula hoop, yoga and .penguin slide..

Wii Fit, which goes on sale Wednesday, is the latest offering in the trend of .exergaming,. a term that describes video games that induce exercise. Players use the Wii .balance board to play . and exercise .. with the various activities involving strength training, aerobics, yoga and balance games.

No longer does it .have to be video game versus exercise,. said Ben Sawyer, co-founder of Games for Health, a project of the Serious Games Initiative to develop a community and best-practices platform for the numerous games being built for health-care applications. .Now it can be, .Which game?'. Sawyer said.

Web sites offer lots of giveaways Mon, 19 May 2008 19:36 EDT

Don't worry, I am not going to get all crazy, telling you to stop buying a $3 .coffee every morning or to grow your own food.

What I am going to do is share a few tips each week that will take a little time but will save you money or get you something for free. My husband says nothing is free, but I disagree.

For starters, here are a bunch of Web sites that are giving away stuff. Pick only what you really want or need. It might take time to .receive your items, but remember: Good things come to one who waits.

One more thing: All of these Web .addresses have been double-checked, so be sure to type carefully.

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