Nerdy Science Blog

People in developed world often have severe vision loss when they are older than 65-year-old.  The severe vision loss is mainly caused by a late stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  AMD is normally associated with age, genetic markers and smoking behaviour.

Two reports in May issue of Archives of Ophthalmology show that more intakes of omega-three fatty acids and avoidance of trans-unsaturated fatty acids can lower the risks for such age-related eye disease.  Omega-three fats can normally be acquired from fish, nuts and olive oil.

(news)

An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counselled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

From: Motion Picture Association of America

A four-year study of 1,246 sixth-grade students in Massachusetts conducted by researchers from University of Massachusetts Medical School showed that kids who watched R-rated movies during youth are more likely to smoke.  The data was derived from second Development and Assessment of Nicotine Dependence in Youth, and the individuals were interviewed 11 times from 2002 to 2006.

Researchers suggested that these kids had the parental permission of the smoking activities, which influenced them to smoke as strong as having friends that smoke.  It was also suggested that the smoking scenes in the movies may play a role in their smoking behaviour.  The impression that cigarettes are easy to obtain in youth is more likely to cause them to smoke.

The study was published in recent issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.  The authors are Chyke A. Doubeni, Wenjun Li, Hassan Fouayzi and Joseph R. DiFranza.  The study was funded by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program (SAPRP) of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

(news [journal][pic])

news.com.au

The deep, slow inhalation and long breath hold is predisposing cannabis smokers to a condition of rapid lung destruction much younger in life, a study by Melbourne researchers has found.

A team from the Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine at Monash University reviewed the lung condition of middle-aged chronic cannabis smokers.

They found high rates of bullous lung disease, a debilitating condition where air trapped in the lungs causes obstruction to breathing and eventual destruction of the organ.

It is often caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.

Studies have shown the disease will most likely strike tobacco smokers around the age of 65, but the new review, published in the journal Respirology, shows dope smokers are being hit 20 years earlier, while in their early 40s.

When I was reading the about how movies affect teens in smoking behavior, I recalled the movie “Thank You for Smoking” directed by Jason Reitman.

This movie was about a tobacco industry lobbyist, Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), whose job was to promote smoking cigarette, which included getting their cigarette onto the big movie screen. In the movie, what Nick told the pretty reporter why he helped tobacco industry was because of the population control.

I love Nick’s philosophy though, everyone should have that kind of philosophy (including scientists) to sell themselves and their products without losing values.

The long term pregnancy study conducted in Australia showed that there is relation between mother and children smoking behavior.

The proportion of the children who took up regular smoking was greater among those whose mothers had smoked during the pregnancy than among those whose mothers had not.

—— ScienceDaily: Pregnant Smokers May ‘Program’ Their Kids To Become Smokers

Although there are other factors that will lead one to smoking, but it is discouraged to smoke during pregnancy.

1. Higher chance of having stillborn baby
2. Higher chance of miscarriage
3. Deliver low birth-weight baby
4. The chance of occurring Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is twice in those who smoke during pregnancy
5. Lead to wide variety of pregnancy complication (premature rupture of membranes, vaginal bleeding and premature placental detachment, etc.)
6. Lead to neural tube defects
7. Harm your developing baby

You can read more for detailed effects of smoking during pregnancy.