We're exercising more but still fighting obesity, study shows

Residents of two-thirds of the nation's counties have become more physically active, but obesity rates have climbed, researchers concluded.



Americans are exercising more, but that has not done much to slim their waistlines, underscoring the immense challenge confronting doctors and health advocates fighting the nation's obesity crisis.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/9Iype0mXuCk/la-me-fitness-20130711,0,3888370.story

Use of coal to generate power rises; greenhouse gas emissions next?

Power plants are burning coal more, relying less on natural gas, a report says. That may hurt Obama's effort to cut greenhouse gases.



WASHINGTON — Power plants in the United States are burning coal more often to generate electricity, reversing the growing use of natural gas and threatening to increase domestic emissions of greenhouse gases after a period of decline, according to a federal report.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/4Njt4h3eMlM/la-na-coal-electricity-20130711,0,2094971.story

California to weigh science standards stressing experimentation

California Board of Education will consider new science standards that replace memorization of facts with hands-on experimentation. Some say the state needs to improve its education, not its standards.



California schoolchildren would study fewer concepts more deeply and emphasize hands-on investigation over rote memorization of facts under new science standards set for consideration Wednesday by the state Board of Education.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/V1ERkWJ0E34/la-me-science-standards-20130710,0,7574624.story

Abortion and preterm births studied

Premature births to women who have a history of abortion are shown to decline as the use of medicine-induced terminations has grown, researchers report.



In a finding likely to reignite debate over proposed new limits on abortion, British researchers have found that years ago, women who terminated a pregnancy increased their risk of giving birth prematurely in subsequent pregnancies, but that with modern procedures the danger has all but vanished.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/Y3cnsVFDI_4/la-sci-abortion-preterm-birth-20130710,0,5851223.story

Protests prompt delay of Yosemite overhaul plan

The National Park Service will take five more months to complete a river protection plan that would result in changes to popular tourist amenities.



WASHINGTON — Facing flak for proposing to eliminate some popular tourist amenities in Yosemite National Park, the National Park Service said it needed five more months to finish a plan to "protect and enhance" the Merced River, which runs for 81 miles inside the park.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/6MXRgC-2M60/la-na-yosemite-plan-20130710,0,5437238.story

Pollution cuts life spans by 5.5 years in north China, study says

An examination of 20 years of data from across China finds that heavy air pollution is to blame for the drop in life expectancy in the north.



BEIJING — Life expectancy is 5.5 years lower in northern China than in the south because of heavy air pollution, a new study examining 20 years of data has determined.



via L.A. Times - Health http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/features/health/~3/i9W_6t-Blwg/la-fg-china-air-pollution-20130709,0,581833.story

Jason Patric custody case inspires sperm-donor-rights legislation

Jason Patric's dispute with his former girlfriend is behind a state Senate bill seeking to give biological fathers standing to file paternity claims.



SACRAMENTO — A child-custody dispute involving actor Jason Patric has evolved from Hollywood tabloid fodder into a policy battle in the state Legislature that could affect thousands of California parents.



via L.A. Times - Health http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/features/health/~3/ltHDCW11K2E/la-me-sperm-donor-20130707,0,3882551.story