Feeling a cold ? better Sleep on it

To ward off a cold, get some shut-eye.

Thanks to the efforts of 164 intrepid adults who allowed investigators to drop particles of rhinovirus into their noses, researchers have determined that sleeping for only six hours a night — or less — will make you much more vulnerable to the common cold. Compared to study participants who slept for more than seven hours a night, those who slept for five to six hours were 4.24 times more likely to develop a cold. Even worse, those who snoozed for less than five hours a night were 4.5 times more likely to get sick after being deliberately exposed to the virus.

You'll eat more with Bigger Plate

Adults consistently consume more food when given larger portions, plates or silverware, a large review of studies has found.

The analysis, published in the Cochrane Library, included 72 randomized controlled trials, all conducted in high-income countries, and most in the United States. Adults consistently selected and ate more when larger portions or larger tableware was presented, but children did not.

Pesticides, Cancer in kids are linked

Childhood exposure to indoor insecticides is associated with an increased risk for certain childhood cancers, a study has found.

Researchers reviewed 16 studies of children exposed to indoor pesticides, including professional pest control services, indoor flea foggers, flea and tick pet collars, and various ready-to-use roach and ant sprays. The analysis, in Pediatrics, included 7,400 cancer cases matched with 9,437 healthy control subjects.

Exposure to indoor, but not outdoor, residential insecticides was associated with a 47 percent increased risk for childhood leukemia and a 43 percent increased risk for childhood lymphomas. Outdoor pesticides were associated with a 26 percent increased risk for brain tumors. The authors emphasized that these diseases are not common.

news services