Combating the ill effects of sitting | Top 10

+ voters can't just kick George Santos out of Congress US Edition - Today's top story: Sitting all day is terrible for your health – now, a new study finds a relatively easy way to counteract it [View in browser]( US Edition | 22 January 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( I’m a big fan of walking. I view a walk as a treat – something to look forward to when my work is done. Of course, like many workers these days, I spend most of my time sitting in front of a computer – sometimes for 10 hours a day. Keith Diaz is a professor of behavioral medicine who studies prolonged sitting and its effects on human health. Researchers have known for some time that too much sitting can be harmful. People who are too sedentary are at risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, dementia – and of dying earlier than people who move more. [In our most-read story last week](, Diaz explains his new research about what it takes to turn around those ill effects. Hint: I’m going to need to toss my habit of saving up my walks for the end of the work day. Just published: - [Peru protests: What to know about Indigenous-led movement shaking the crisis-hit country]( - [How do you vaccinate a honeybee? 6 questions answered about a new tool for protecting pollinators]( Later this week, we’ll bring you stories explaining what keeps the center of the Earth molten, the future of standardized tests in college admissions and the environmental risks of sewer pipe repairs. Don’t forget to [take the quiz](! Emily Costello Managing Editor Readers' picks Researchers have long known that sitting at your desk hour after hour is an unhealthy habit. Morsa Images/Digital Vision via Getty Images [Sitting all day is terrible for your health – now, a new study finds a relatively easy way to counteract it]( Keith Diaz, Columbia University Short, frequent walks throughout the day are key to helping prevent the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle. - [US birth rates are at record lows – even though the number of kids most Americans say they want has held steady]( Sarah Hayford, The Ohio State University; Karen Benjamin Guzzo, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Childbearing goals have remained remarkably consistent over the decades. What has changed is when people start their families and how many kids they end up having. - [This lunar year will be the Year of the Rabbit or the Year of the Cat, depending on where you live]( Megan Bryson, University of Tennessee In most parts of East Asia, the new year that begins on Jan. 22 corresponds to the rabbit. In Vietnam though it will usher in the Year of the Cat. - [Stopping the cancer cells that thrive on chemotherapy – research into how pancreatic tumors adapt to stress could lead to a new treatment approach]( Chengsheng Wu, University of California, San Diego; David Cheresh, University of California, San Diego; Sara Weis, University of California, San Diego Some cancers are notoriously resistant to chemotherapy and not curable with surgery. Stopping tumors from adapting to the harsh microenvironments of the body could be a potential treatment avenue. - [Voters have few options to remove George Santos from Congress – aside from waiting until the next election]( Jonathan Entin, Case Western Reserve University There is no federal recall law that could lead to another election for Santos’ seat. But Santos’ case presents ethics concerns that the House may review. Editors' picks Will an aging, shrinking population put the brakes on economic growth? CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images. [Why China’s shrinking population is a big deal – counting the social, economic and political costs of an aging, smaller society]( Feng Wang, University of California, Irvine For the first time since 1961, deaths in China have outpaced births – and unlike that one-year decline, the downward trend is likely to continue. - [Deep seabed mining plans pit renewable energy demand against ocean life in a largely unexplored frontier]( Scott Shackelford, Indiana University; Christiana Ochoa, Indiana University; David Bosco, Indiana University; Kerry Krutilla, Indiana University Mining nodules from the deep ocean seabed could provide the metals crucial for today’s EV batteries and renewable energy technology, but little is known about the harm it could cause. - [Why gas stoves matter to the climate – and the gas industry: Keeping them means homes will use gas for heating too]( Daniel Cohan, Rice University Energy companies have marketed natural gas as cooks’ favorite for years because homes with gas hookups will also use it for space and water heating. - [How ChatGPT robs students of motivation to write and think for themselves]( Naomi S. Baron, American University People who have used AI to help with writing report a loss of pride and ownership in what they produce. - [Jacinda Ardern’s resignation shows that women still face an uphill battle in politics – an expert on female leaders answers 5 key questions]( Farida Jalalzai, Virginia Tech Female leaders tend to open people’s perceptions of what is possible for other women in politics – but the job is also still fraught with double standards and unique risks. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Questions this week on gas stoves, weaponization and Prince Harry Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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