No. 1 Floss daily to protect against pneumonia and heart disease
Good oral hygiene may help prevent pneumonia and heart disease, according to UB researchers. A study by professor of medicine Ali A. El Solh indicates that periodontal microbes are a possible reservoir for recurrent lower respiratory tract infections in nursing home residents. And research by SUNY Distinguished Professor and Vice Provost Robert J. Genco shows a strong association between periodontal microbes and non-fatal heart attacks. > Read More
No. 2 To lose weight, eat the same foods over and over
Variety may be the spice of life, but it's not good for your waistline, according to Leonard Epstein, professor of pediatrics and social and preventive medicine. He found that when women ate as many servings of macaroni and cheese as they wanted every day for five days, they reduced their intake by 30 calories. On the other hand, women who ate macaroni and cheese just once a week for five weeks increased their intake by 100 calories. Epstein says the first group reduced their intake because of “habituation.” In other words, repetition may discourage overeating. > Read More
No. 3 Read more fantasy to combat loneliness
Reading fantasies like the popular Twilight vampire series or the Harry Potter novels helps to satisfy a need for human connection, according to the research of associate professor of psychology Shira Gabriel and graduate student Ariana Young. When we become engrossed in fictional narratives, we feel close to others in the comfort of our own space and at our own convenience, their research shows. "In our subjects, this led to a reported increase in life satisfaction and positive mood, which are two primary outcomes of belonging," Gabriel says. > Read More
No. 4 Make returning war veterans feel at home
Simple home modifications like installing exterior lighting or widening doorways can enhance the comfort and security of returning soldiers, especially if they suffer from vision loss or post-traumatic stress or use a wheelchair, says Danise Levine, assistant director of UB's Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access. Levine helped design two homes for veterans and their families through the Wounded Warrior Home Project. > Read More
No. 5 Be a humble leader, and be more effective in the workplace
Humble leaders are more effective and better liked in the workplace, says researcher Bradley Owens, assistant professor of organization and human resources in the UB School of Management. “Admitting mistakes, spotlighting follower strengths and modeling teachability are the core of humble leadership. These three behaviors are powerful predictors of the leader's personal growth, as well as the organization's growth,” explains Owens, who interviewed leaders in several fields. > Read More
No. 6 Talk to your child about bullying
Calls for new laws and programs followed a number of bullying cases that made news this year. Sometimes the most important thing parents can do is have a conversation with their child about bullying, says researcher Amanda Nickerson, director of UB's Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence. “Ask explicitly if there is bullying at school, and then listen and empathize when they tell their stories,” she says. “Kids are more aware of the peer culture and the culture of the school to know what will make it worse and what will make it better.” > Read More
No. 7 For better health, reflect on things that give life meaning
Feelings of spirituality or religiosity appear to offer protection against emotional distress and physical ailments, according to the research of Michael J. Poulin, assistant professor of psychology. Poulin studied people's response to the traumatic events of 9/11 and found that those with a personal commitment to spiritual or religious beliefs were in better health than those who expressed no religious or spiritual proclivities. > Read More
No. 8 Maintain separate email accounts to avoid being scammed
Having separate accounts for work and personal email helps you more easily sort through cluttered inboxes and focus on the details of email. This reduces the likelihood of being deceived by online scammers phishing for personal and financial information, according to the research of Arun Vishwanath, associate professor of communication. > Read More
No. 9 Teach math to your toddler for academic success
Very young children have the potential to learn mathematics that is complex and sophisticated, according to the research of professors Doug Clements and Julie Sarama. Preschool children's knowledge of mathematics predicts their later school success into high school. Further, it predicts later reading achievement. Clements' and Sarama's pre-kindergarten Building Blocks program helps children “mathematize” everyday activities, from building blocks and games to art and stories. > Read More
No. 10 Be nice to nurses, they may save your life
According to the Institute of Medicine, nurses are the health care professionals most likely to intercept and prevent medical mistakes, says assistant professor of nursing Sharon Hewner. To teach nursing students how to spot and prevent potential medical errors, she developed a new patient-safety course. Hewner hopes the course will be emulated and rolled out at nursing schools nationwide. > Read More