Spacer      
  AusSMC: australian science media centre Page specific graphic  
 
about us for media for scientists science in the media contact us home
hot topics  
 
 

Hot topics                    

POSTED: Tue 12 January 2010

MEDIA BRIEFING: TV time may cut life short
ONLINE MEDIA BRIEFING: Tue 12 Jan at 9:30am AEDT

Embargo lifted at 8am AEDT Tue 12 January 2010

BRIEFING DETAILS
:
DATE and TIME: Tue 12 Jan at 9:30am AEDT
DURATION: Approx 20 min
VENUE: Online

Is sitting in front of the TV shortening your life? Australian researchers have tracked the TV viewing habits of 8,800 adults and found that every hour spent in front of the television each day increased the risk of death from all causes. While the study focused specifically on television watching, the findings suggest that any prolonged sedentary behavior, such as sitting at a desk or in front of a computer, may pose a risk to one ’s health.

The paper ‘Television Viewing Time and Mortality’ has been published in the journal Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Full press release and papers are available from the AusSMC.

 

To follow the full presentation, click here (Webex)

SPEAKER:

Professor David Dunstan, Head of the Physical Activity Laboratory in the Division of Metabolism and Obesity at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Victoria | Bio (pdf) | Listen (mp3)
Listen to the Q and A session (mp3)



For further information, please contact the AusSMC on 08 7120 8666 or email us.


 


 

 
  Latest releases | Archive corner graphic
     
 

CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
RAPID ROUNDUP:
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Chile, causing major damage and a tsunami. Experts from Australia, New Zealand and the UK respond.
Sun 28 Feb 10

CLIMATE CONFUSION - SCIENTISTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
RESOURCE PAGE:
After conversations and emails from a number of journalists, we have put their most pressing questions about climate change to a panel of climate scientists.
Thu 25 Feb 10

TROPICAL CYCLONES AND CLIMATE FEEDBACK (NATURE)
RAPID ROUNDUP:
Experts comment on a new paper from Nature about the relationship between tropical cyclones and climate - a topic which has been a subject of much debate.
Thu 25 Feb 10

BAN ON MEAT FROM BSE AFFECTED COUNTRIES SET TO END
RAPID ROUNDUP:
From next week countries where mad cow disease has been discovered will be able to export beef to Australia provided they comply with new regulations. Experts respond.
Wed 24 Feb 10

NEW RADIOACTIVE WASTE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED
RAPID ROUNDUP:
Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson has announced the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010. Experts respond.
Tue 23 Feb 10

PAN FRYING WITH GAS MAY BE WORSE THAN ELECTRICITY FOR RAISING CANCER RISK
RAPID ROUNDUP:
New research suggests frying meat on a gas cooktop may be more harmful to health than using an electric cooktop, because of the type of fumes it produces. Experts respond.
Thus 18 Feb 10

PROTECTING SPACE HERITAGE
SCIENCE BLOG:
Dr Alice Gorman (Flinders University) discusses space archaeology and how to protect historic sites such as the moon landing site.
Tues 9 Feb 10

LAUNCH OF NATIONAL SCIENCE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
RAPID ROUNDUP:
Senator the Hon Kim Carr today launched Australia’s new National Science Communication Strategy, Inspiring Australia.
Mon 8 Feb 10

WATER, CLIMATE CHANGE AND TREES
SCIENCE BLOG:
Professor Derek Eamus discusses the role of trees and tree planting in carbon sequestration and some surrounding issues.
Mon 8 Feb 10

WA DROUGHT UNIQUE FOR 750 YEARS (NATURE GEOSCIENCE)
RAPID ROUNDUP:
New Australian research suggests the past few decades of serious drought in the southwestern corner of Australia may be highly unusual compared with the past 750 years.
Mon 8 Feb 10

LANCET RETRACTS WAKEFIELD PAPER ON MMR/AUTISM
UK & NZ SMC ROUNDUP:
The Lancet has formally retracted the paper in which Andrew Wakefield claimed that the MMR vaccine can be linked to autism - see comments from UK and New Zealand based experts.
Wed 3 Feb 10

COALITION'S CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY
RAPID ROUNDUP:
The Coalition has announced their climate change policy under the leadership of Tony Abbott. Experts respond.
Tue 2 Feb 10

STAIN REPELLENT CHEMICAL LINKED TO THYROID DISEASE
RAPID ROUNDUP:
Experts comment on new research out of the UK linking thyroid disease with exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
Fri 22 Jan 10

EXPERTS RESPOND TO GLACIER MELT DOUBTS
RAPID ROUNDUP:
NZ and Aus SMC round-up of reaction to news The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is reexamining a report it issued that suggests Himalayan glaciers could vanish by 2035.
Thu 21 Jan 10

ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY AFFECTS GENE EXPRESSION
RAPID ROUNDUP:
Experts react to new Australian research showing alcohol consumed during pregancy can effect fetal gene expression
Fri 15 Jan 10

EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
RAPID ROUNDUP:
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti is feared to have resulted in the deaths of at least 170,000. Experts respond.
Thu 14 Jan 10

TV TIME MAY CUT LIFE SHORT
ONLINE BRIEFING:
Australian researchers have tracked the TV viewing habits of 8,800 adults and found that every hour spent in front of the TV each day increased the risk of death.
Tue 12 Jan 10

 
  Hot topic archive  
 
Spacer October 16, 200909
© Copyright 2005-2010 | Australian Science Media Centre | Credits | Disclaimer
Street Address: The Science Exchange 55 Exchange Place Adelaide South Australia 5000
corner graphic