METRO Wednesday, November 25, 2009 D 15A www.ifco.ie MINICOSM SCIENCE & DISCOVERY IN BRIEF Dont take this with a pinch: Salt is a killerBy Jo Steele Women who are pear-shaped not only face a greater risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke but could also suffer from dementia, according to scientists. Those who are larger around the waist are twice as likely to develop dementia when they get older, researchers in Sweden reported in the journal neurology. Peril of the pear shape CUTTING out just one teaspoon of salt a day can reduce the risk of a stroke by almost a quarter, a review of studies has concluded. Lowering daily salt intake by 5g could prevent 1.25million deaths annually from strokes and almost 3million by heart disease. Salt is known to raise blood pressure levels, which can lead to both conditions. Eating less salt can also lower the risk of heart disease by 17 per cent, show the results of 13 different studies. Experts reviewed studies involving more than 170,000 people on the link between salt intake and health. Its a small step but its significant in removing any doubt about the need to lower salt intake, said Prof Francesco Cappuccio from the University of War- wick, who carried out the review. The World Health Organization rec- ommends just 5g of salt a day but Irish people consume an average of 10g a day. All the studies were carried out between 1996 and 2008 and involved more than 10,000 vascular events. Joanne Murphy, research liaison offic- er at the UKs Stroke Association, said: This study confirms the link between salt and stroke. We call for consistent la- belling on food so people are aware how much salt is in food they buy. monkey love: Wonder why your partner smells odd? The answer may lie in the way monkeys choose mates. Mandrills, who are closely related to humans, pick those who smell different, to ensure genetic diversity and the strongest offspring. Males rub a scent gland on their chest against trees to advertise their presence to females, who may then use the smell signals to decide if the male was a suitable mate, said Durham Universitys Dr Jo Setchell. mint job: A cuppa really does help ease your pains as long as its a brew of Brazilian mint. Hyptis crenata is as effective as synthetic aspirin-style drug indometacin, according to Newcastle University scientists. We have taken a plant widely used to safely treat pain and scientifically proven that it works as well as some synthetic drugs, said researcher Graciela Rocha. It tastes like sage, apparently. Skin DeeP: A drug to treat a rare skin condition could also help tackle other genetic disorders, including cancer. Drug Sirna eases a painful blistering condition by stopping mutated keratin genes being expressed while letting healthy ones function normally. This targeting skill could be used to fight cancer. The result is exceptionally promising. This drug has vast potential, said US researcher Sancy Leachman. Iceberg threat to Pacific shipping SHIPS in the south Pacific ocean have been warned that groups of icebergs which split off Antarctic ice shelves are drifting north toward new Zealand. Tourist ship the Spirit of enderby spotted a 150m-long, 30m-high floe 92km northeast of macquarie Island just 800km south of new Zealand. Satellite images showed icebergs spread over a huge sea area and slowly heading toward the country. Just chillin: A seal has a snooze as a large iceberg is seen in the background Picture: AFP index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html