Your last excuse for smoking just went out the window: New research confirms that the health drawbacks of a little post-cessation weight gain are trivial compared to the benefits of kicking a cigarette habit. [U.S. News]
Now that the European Union has banned the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, celebs like Ke$ ha and Colbie Caillat are pressuring the U.S. to do the same. [USAT]
Who needs a sugary drink ban? Americans now consume more water than soda. [AP]
Dislike:
Feeling burnt out at work makes you nearly 80 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease—and those who are the most burnt out face the highest risk. [The Atlantic]
Use your head—but not too much. Suffering just one concussion can affect brain regions that are vital for memory, executive function, and mood regulation, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. [LA Times]
The U.S. is hoarding a new smallpox medicine—enough to treat two million people. You know, just in case terrorists re-engineer the virus in a lab and unleash it on America. [NYT]
Skeptical:
A study from the University of California Riverside claims that sleeping pills can actually improve your memory. Not that being able to remember things is very useful when you’re zonked out. [Daily Mail]
If your man’s not exactly four years and four months older than you, you might want to dump him: A new survey finds that’s the ideal age gap for couples. [Telegraph]
Watch out for 9-month-old babies: Infants enjoy seeing others who are unlike them suffer, according to recent research out of the University of British Colombia. [International Business Times]
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