InfoTrak

Trees play a surprisingly big role in keeping America’s cities and towns cool. Carly Ziter, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Concordia University in Montrea shared the results of her study that found that the right amount of tree cover can lower summer daytime temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. She said the effect is quite noticeable from neighborhood to neighborhood, even down to the scale of a single city block. She stressed the importance of urban landscaping and development in making neighborhoods more livable in the future.

Ramon Hinojosa, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Central Florida warned of a coming public health crisis for veterans. He led a study that found that veterans are more likely to have heart disease at a younger age than nonveterans. He discussed the possible differences between vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan compared to those who served in previous conflicts. He offered advice for veterans who may have cause for concern.

James P. Smith, PhD, Distinguished Chair in Labor Markets and Demographic Studies at the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization led a study that found that Americans under the age of 26 are much more likely to be arrested than Americans born in previous decades. He noted that the increase occurred most rapidly among white Americans and women. He said that the study also found connections between the rising rate of arrests/convictions and lower probabilities of being married, fewer weeks worked, lower hourly wages and lower family incomes during Americans' adulthood.

Hitting the gym at night won’t keep you tossing and turning all night, contrary to popular belief. Penelope Larsen, researcher and PhD candidate, School of Exercise Science, Sport & Health, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia led a recent study that found that evening high-intensity cycling didn’t ruin sleep and may even reduce appetite. She said study participants also seemed to have more energy when exercise occurred later in the day, which could also debunk the belief that working out first thing in the morning is the optimal time.

Hitting the gym at night won’t keep you tossing and turning all night, contrary to popular belief. Penelope Larsen, researcher and PhD candidate, School of Exercise Science, Sport & Health, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia led a recent study that found that evening high-intensity cycling didn’t ruin sleep and may even reduce appetite. She said study participants also seemed to have more energy when exercise occurred later in the day, which could also debunk the belief that working out first thing in the morning is the optimal time.

Arielle O'Shea, investing and retirement specialist for Nerdwallet.com said the average American must live on their retirement savings for 23 years. She explained how consumers can determine how much money they may need in retirement. She outlined four strategies to find extra income and control expenses in retirement. She recommends using a fee-only financial planner.

Airlines’ pricing strategies have changed in significant ways in the past several years and ticket prices can literally change by the minute. Scott McCartney, Travel Editor and author/creator of the weekly Middle Seat column on airlines and travel for The Wall Street Journal discussed the best days to find the lowest prices, how far ahead to buy and other money-saving travel tips for airline travel.

Martin Röösli, PhD, Associate Professor, Head of Environmental Exposures and Health at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel, Switzerland led a study that suggests that radiation from phones can harm a teenager’s memory. He found that the problem occurs when a phone is held next to a child’s head for a phone call. His team even found different effects, depending on whether the phone was used on the right or left side of the head. He said Bluetooth devices can help, and that children’s phone calls should be short and infrequent.

Martin Röösli, PhD, Associate Professor, Head of Environmental Exposures and Health at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel, Switzerland led a study that suggests that radiation from phones can harm a teenager’s memory. He found that the problem occurs when a phone is held next to a child’s head for a phone call. His team even found different effects, depending on whether the phone was used on the right or left side of the head. He said Bluetooth devices can help, and that children’s phone calls should be short and infrequent.

Phony prescription drugs are big business and can be life-threatening to consumers. David Closs, PhD, Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State Universitydiscussed a recent change in federal regulations that requires companies to track prescription drugs from their raw materials stage to their delivery to pharmacies. He explained how copycat drugs sometimes make their way into the system and what consumers need to know.