Walking to work cuts diabetes risk

London: People who walk to work are around 40 per cent less likely to have diabetes compared to those who drive, according to a new UK study. Researchers at Imperial College London and University College London examined how various health indicators related to how people get to work, using data from a survey of 20,000 people across the UK. 

They found that cycling, walking, and using public transport were all associated with lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi. People who walk to work were also 17 per cent less likely than people who drive to have high blood pressure. Cyclists were around half as likely to have diabetes as drivers. 

The researchers said people could reduce their risks of serious health problems such as heart attacks by avoiding using a car. "This study highlights that building physical activity into the daily routine by walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work is good for personal health ," said Anthony Laverty, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. 

Nineteen per cent of working age adults who use private transport such as cars, motorbikes or taxis to get to work were obese, compared to 15 per cent of those who walked and 13 per cent of those who cycled to work, the study found. 

The findings are published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Baby owls sleep like human babies

Berlin: Scientists have discovered that the sleeping patterns of baby owls are similar to that of human babies. 

The sleep of baby birds appears to change in the same way as it does in humans, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Lausanne have found. 

Studying barn owls in the wild, the researchers discovered that this change in sleep is strongly correlated with the expression of a gene involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots, a trait known to covary with behavioural and physiological traits in adult owls. 

These findings raise the intriguing possibility that sleep-related developmental processes in the brain contribute to the link between melanism and other traits observed in adult barn owls and other animals. 

Sleep in mammals and birds consists of two phases, REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) and non-REM sleep. We experience our most vivid dreams during REM sleep, a paradoxical state characterised by awake-like brain activity. 

One of the most salient features of REM sleep is its preponderance early in life. Many mammals spend far more time in REM sleep during early life than when they are adults. 

Although birds are the only non-mammalian group known to clearly engage in REM sleep, it has been unclear whether sleep develops in the same manner in baby birds. 

Researchers in the new study used an electroencephalogram (EEG) and movement data logger in conjunction with minimally invasive EEG sensors designed for use in humans, to record sleep in 66 owlets of varying age. 

Despite lacking significant eye movements (a trait common to owls), the owlets spent large amounts of time in REM sleep. 

"During this sleep phase, the owlets' EEG showed awake-like activity, their eyes remained closed, and their heads nodded slowly," said Madeleine Scriba from the University of Lausanne. 

The researchers discovered that just as in baby humans, the time spent in REM sleep declined as the owlets aged. 

In addition, the team examined the relationship between sleep and the expression of a gene in the feather follicles involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots. 

"As in several other avian and mammalian species, we have found that melanic spotting in owls covaries with a variety of behavioural and physiological traits, many of which also have links to sleep, such as immune system function and energy regulation," said Alexander Roulin from the University of Lausanne. 

The team found that owlets expressing higher levels of the gene involved in melanism had less REM sleep than expected for their age, suggesting that their brains were developing faster than in owlets expressing lower levels of this gene. 

In line with this interpretation, the enzyme encoded by this gene also plays a role in producing hormones (thyroid and insulin) involved in brain development

Baby owls sleep like human babies

Berlin: Scientists have discovered that the sleeping patterns of baby owls are similar to that of human babies. 

The sleep of baby birds appears to change in the same way as it does in humans, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Lausanne have found. 

Studying barn owls in the wild, the researchers discovered that this change in sleep is strongly correlated with the expression of a gene involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots, a trait known to covary with behavioural and physiological traits in adult owls. 

These findings raise the intriguing possibility that sleep-related developmental processes in the brain contribute to the link between melanism and other traits observed in adult barn owls and other animals. 

Sleep in mammals and birds consists of two phases, REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) and non-REM sleep. We experience our most vivid dreams during REM sleep, a paradoxical state characterised by awake-like brain activity. 

One of the most salient features of REM sleep is its preponderance early in life. Many mammals spend far more time in REM sleep during early life than when they are adults. 

Although birds are the only non-mammalian group known to clearly engage in REM sleep, it has been unclear whether sleep develops in the same manner in baby birds. 

Researchers in the new study used an electroencephalogram (EEG) and movement data logger in conjunction with minimally invasive EEG sensors designed for use in humans, to record sleep in 66 owlets of varying age. 

Despite lacking significant eye movements (a trait common to owls), the owlets spent large amounts of time in REM sleep. 

"During this sleep phase, the owlets' EEG showed awake-like activity, their eyes remained closed, and their heads nodded slowly," said Madeleine Scriba from the University of Lausanne. 

The researchers discovered that just as in baby humans, the time spent in REM sleep declined as the owlets aged. 

In addition, the team examined the relationship between sleep and the expression of a gene in the feather follicles involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots. 

"As in several other avian and mammalian species, we have found that melanic spotting in owls covaries with a variety of behavioural and physiological traits, many of which also have links to sleep, such as immune system function and energy regulation," said Alexander Roulin from the University of Lausanne. 

The team found that owlets expressing higher levels of the gene involved in melanism had less REM sleep than expected for their age, suggesting that their brains were developing faster than in owlets expressing lower levels of this gene. 

In line with this interpretation, the enzyme encoded by this gene also plays a role in producing hormones (thyroid and insulin) involved in brain development

Walking to work cuts diabetes risk

London: People who walk to work are around 40 per cent less likely to have diabetes compared to those who drive, according to a new UK study. Researchers at Imperial College London and University College London examined how various health indicators related to how people get to work, using data from a survey of 20,000 people across the UK. 

They found that cycling, walking, and using public transport were all associated with lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi. People who walk to work were also 17 per cent less likely than people who drive to have high blood pressure. Cyclists were around half as likely to have diabetes as drivers. 

The researchers said people could reduce their risks of serious health problems such as heart attacks by avoiding using a car. "This study highlights that building physical activity into the daily routine by walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work is good for personal health ," said Anthony Laverty, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. 

Nineteen per cent of working age adults who use private transport such as cars, motorbikes or taxis to get to work were obese, compared to 15 per cent of those who walked and 13 per cent of those who cycled to work, the study found. 

The findings are published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

BJP to announce CM candidate for Delhi polls

New Delhi: Eyeing a return to power in Delhi after a gap of 15 years, BJP today said it will announce its chief ministerial candidate "soon" for the assembly polls slated for November. 

Party's Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari said BJP Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the chief ministerial candidate. 
"We want to finalise the chief ministerial candidate as soon as possible. The BJP Parliamentary Board will make a final decision on the issue," Gadkari told PTI. 

Asked whether former Health Minister Harsh Vardhan could be BJP's candidate for the top post, the former BJP president said no name has been finalised yet. 

"No decision has been made so far. The consultation process is on. I am also holding consultation with senior Delhi BJP leaders," Gadkari said. Party sources said Vardhan, who is considered close to the RSS, is a front runner as party's chief ministerial candidate as he has a clean image and could be acceptable to all warring factions. 

Asked for his comment, Vardhan said he was not aware of the issue and has not been informed about such a move.

BJP to announce CM candidate for Delhi polls

New Delhi: Eyeing a return to power in Delhi after a gap of 15 years, BJP today said it will announce its chief ministerial candidate "soon" for the assembly polls slated for November. 

Party's Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari said BJP Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the chief ministerial candidate. 
"We want to finalise the chief ministerial candidate as soon as possible. The BJP Parliamentary Board will make a final decision on the issue," Gadkari told PTI. 

Asked whether former Health Minister Harsh Vardhan could be BJP's candidate for the top post, the former BJP president said no name has been finalised yet. 

"No decision has been made so far. The consultation process is on. I am also holding consultation with senior Delhi BJP leaders," Gadkari said. Party sources said Vardhan, who is considered close to the RSS, is a front runner as party's chief ministerial candidate as he has a clean image and could be acceptable to all warring factions. 

Asked for his comment, Vardhan said he was not aware of the issue and has not been informed about such a move.

Govt introduces food bill in LS; discussion to start next week.

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday introduced the landmark Food Security Bill in Lok Sabha which, when passed, will replace an Ordinance and will give the country's two-third population right to highly subsidised foodgrains. 

Food Minister K V Thomas said the bill is likely to be passed in the current session and once it becomes an Act, states will get 6-12 months to implement it. 

The discussion on the bill will start next week and after Lok Sabha approves it, the legislation will be introduced in Rajya Sabha. On approval of the Upper House, the government will commit to give 67 per cent of the nation's population 5 kg foodgrain per month at Rs 1-3 per kg. 

The households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) would be entitled to get 35 kg of foodgrains per month. 

"Discussion on the bill will begin on Monday. Once it is passed in the Lower House, it will go the Rajya Sabha. Once it is cleared, the states will get six months to one year to implement the Act," Thomas told PTI. 

Asked if the UPA government is confident of getting the support of its allies and the Opposition, he said, "All democratic forces want the right to food to be given to poor. I don't think they will oppose. They will support and the bill will be passed in this session." 

The minister said the Centre is in touch with all states. States like Delhi, Haryana, Uttarkhand and Kerala are ready to roll out this new programme. 

He said even non-congress ruled states could implement. "They have apprehensions. We will sort it out." 

Stressing that the success of this new programme would depend on leakage-proof PDS and setting of godowns by states, the minister said, "Some states have taken measures to strengthen PDS. We want all of them take urgent steps." 

The subsidy burden would be Rs 1.30 lakh crore and foodgrains requirement would be 62 million tonnes annually. 

As per the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries would get rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg. This rates would be valid for three years. 

Every pregnant woman and lactating mother would get free meal during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also get a maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 in instalments. Children upto 14 years would get free meals. 

In case of non-supply of foodgrains, states will have to pay food security allowance to beneficiaries. 

Govt introduces food bill in LS; discussion to start next week.

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday introduced the landmark Food Security Bill in Lok Sabha which, when passed, will replace an Ordinance and will give the country's two-third population right to highly subsidised foodgrains. 

Food Minister K V Thomas said the bill is likely to be passed in the current session and once it becomes an Act, states will get 6-12 months to implement it. 

The discussion on the bill will start next week and after Lok Sabha approves it, the legislation will be introduced in Rajya Sabha. On approval of the Upper House, the government will commit to give 67 per cent of the nation's population 5 kg foodgrain per month at Rs 1-3 per kg. 

The households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) would be entitled to get 35 kg of foodgrains per month. 

"Discussion on the bill will begin on Monday. Once it is passed in the Lower House, it will go the Rajya Sabha. Once it is cleared, the states will get six months to one year to implement the Act," Thomas told PTI. 

Asked if the UPA government is confident of getting the support of its allies and the Opposition, he said, "All democratic forces want the right to food to be given to poor. I don't think they will oppose. They will support and the bill will be passed in this session." 

The minister said the Centre is in touch with all states. States like Delhi, Haryana, Uttarkhand and Kerala are ready to roll out this new programme. 

He said even non-congress ruled states could implement. "They have apprehensions. We will sort it out." 

Stressing that the success of this new programme would depend on leakage-proof PDS and setting of godowns by states, the minister said, "Some states have taken measures to strengthen PDS. We want all of them take urgent steps." 

The subsidy burden would be Rs 1.30 lakh crore and foodgrains requirement would be 62 million tonnes annually. 

As per the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries would get rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg. This rates would be valid for three years. 

Every pregnant woman and lactating mother would get free meal during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also get a maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 in instalments. Children upto 14 years would get free meals. 

In case of non-supply of foodgrains, states will have to pay food security allowance to beneficiaries. 

Eid in Kerala Thursday

Thiruvananthapuram: Various Muslim clerics and community leaders announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated in Kerala Thursday after the moon was sighted in Kozhikode.

Supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League Pannakad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal and other religious leaders made this announcement.

The state government has announced a public holiday for all educational institutions for Thursday and Friday, while for the government offices, Thursday has been declared as a restricted holiday, while it is a public holiday on Friday.

Muslims in Kerala constitute roughly 24 percent of the 3.20 crore population.

Eid in Kerala Thursday

Thiruvananthapuram: Various Muslim clerics and community leaders announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated in Kerala Thursday after the moon was sighted in Kozhikode.

Supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League Pannakad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal and other religious leaders made this announcement.

The state government has announced a public holiday for all educational institutions for Thursday and Friday, while for the government offices, Thursday has been declared as a restricted holiday, while it is a public holiday on Friday.

Muslims in Kerala constitute roughly 24 percent of the 3.20 crore population.

Two Indian nationals jailed for fake jewellery scam

Singapore: Two Indian nationals have been jailed here for a fake jewellery scam they carried out last year, according to a media report today.

Gurpreet Ram Sidhu (22) and Jaswinder Singh Brar (38) were jailed yesterday for pawning gold-plated copper items and
raking in 55,310 Singapore dollars, The Straits Times said.

Sidhu was jailed for 15 months for his role in conspiring to cheat 11 pawnshops between April and October last while
Brar has been awarded a ten-month sentence for pawning 30,360 Singapore dollar worth of fake jewellery.

The duo were in Singapore on social visit passes and could have been jailed for up to 10 years.

A third Indian national, Jagtar Singh (28), had approached Sidhu for the scheme of pawning fake jewellery, all of which
was gold-plated copper with hooks and fastenings made of solid gold, according to the report.

Singh told Sidhu to wear the fake items, and remove them in front of the pawnshop staff showing that he owns them.

The staff would check the jewellery for number '916' ensuring that it was made of 91.6 per cent gold and carry out
chemical tests on hooks and fastening, which were of solid gold.

Sidhu also got three other Indian national flatmates to pawn several items without revealing to them that the
jewellery was fake.

For his part in the scam, Brar convinced his girlfriend, Noor Mardiah Saleh (25), to help pawn the items and as
Singaporean bargain for a better price.

Noor allegedly recruited three other Singaporeans for the scam.

The pawnshops paid out between 2,100 and 5,000 Singapore dollars for each item pawned.

Sidhu, Brar and Singh then took the money, giving the others between 50-500 Singapore dollars each for every item
pawned.

The source of fake items remains unknown, said the report.

The crime came to light when the Singapore pawnbrokers Association sent out advisories to the pawnshops.

Tests by Singapore's Health Science Authority indicated the items were made of gold-plated copper except for hooks and
fastenings.

Sidhu, who did not have a lawyer, pleaded for a short jail sentence so that he could return home as soon as possible,
while Brar's lawyer, S K Kumar, pointed out that his client played a much smaller role in the scam than Sidhu.

Among the accomplices, Singh has been charged and faces a pre-trial conference later this month. PTI

Two Indian nationals jailed for fake jewellery scam

Singapore: Two Indian nationals have been jailed here for a fake jewellery scam they carried out last year, according to a media report today.

Gurpreet Ram Sidhu (22) and Jaswinder Singh Brar (38) were jailed yesterday for pawning gold-plated copper items and
raking in 55,310 Singapore dollars, The Straits Times said.

Sidhu was jailed for 15 months for his role in conspiring to cheat 11 pawnshops between April and October last while
Brar has been awarded a ten-month sentence for pawning 30,360 Singapore dollar worth of fake jewellery.

The duo were in Singapore on social visit passes and could have been jailed for up to 10 years.

A third Indian national, Jagtar Singh (28), had approached Sidhu for the scheme of pawning fake jewellery, all of which
was gold-plated copper with hooks and fastenings made of solid gold, according to the report.

Singh told Sidhu to wear the fake items, and remove them in front of the pawnshop staff showing that he owns them.

The staff would check the jewellery for number '916' ensuring that it was made of 91.6 per cent gold and carry out
chemical tests on hooks and fastening, which were of solid gold.

Sidhu also got three other Indian national flatmates to pawn several items without revealing to them that the
jewellery was fake.

For his part in the scam, Brar convinced his girlfriend, Noor Mardiah Saleh (25), to help pawn the items and as
Singaporean bargain for a better price.

Noor allegedly recruited three other Singaporeans for the scam.

The pawnshops paid out between 2,100 and 5,000 Singapore dollars for each item pawned.

Sidhu, Brar and Singh then took the money, giving the others between 50-500 Singapore dollars each for every item
pawned.

The source of fake items remains unknown, said the report.

The crime came to light when the Singapore pawnbrokers Association sent out advisories to the pawnshops.

Tests by Singapore's Health Science Authority indicated the items were made of gold-plated copper except for hooks and
fastenings.

Sidhu, who did not have a lawyer, pleaded for a short jail sentence so that he could return home as soon as possible,
while Brar's lawyer, S K Kumar, pointed out that his client played a much smaller role in the scam than Sidhu.

Among the accomplices, Singh has been charged and faces a pre-trial conference later this month. PTI

Funeral of 5 soldiers killed at LoC to be held Thursday

Patna: The bodies of four soldiers of the Bihar Regiment who were killed in Jammu and Kashmir arrived here Wednesday night. Their funerals will take place at their respective villages Thursday, police said.

A large number of security personnel and men of the regiment along with hundreds of people gathered near the Patna airport and paid their respect to the soldiers.

The five soldiers were killed when the attackers, including men in Pakistani military uniforms, barged into Indian territory and ambushed an army patrol at Chakan-da-Bagh sector of the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan. One soldier was injured.

The dead are Sambhusaran Rai from Ara in Bhojpur district, Vijay Kumar Rai from Bihta in Patna district, and Prem Nath and Raghunandan Prasad from Saran district. The fifth was from the Mahar Regiment and belonged to Maharashtra.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a state funeral for all four soldiers, and also a compensation of Rs.10 lakh for their families.

However Rai's widow refused the compensation and demanded 'tough' action against Pakistan.

'I will not accept the Rs.10 lakh till the Indian government takes tough action against Pakistan,'said Pushpa Devi.

Funeral of 5 soldiers killed at LoC to be held Thursday

Patna: The bodies of four soldiers of the Bihar Regiment who were killed in Jammu and Kashmir arrived here Wednesday night. Their funerals will take place at their respective villages Thursday, police said.

A large number of security personnel and men of the regiment along with hundreds of people gathered near the Patna airport and paid their respect to the soldiers.

The five soldiers were killed when the attackers, including men in Pakistani military uniforms, barged into Indian territory and ambushed an army patrol at Chakan-da-Bagh sector of the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan. One soldier was injured.

The dead are Sambhusaran Rai from Ara in Bhojpur district, Vijay Kumar Rai from Bihta in Patna district, and Prem Nath and Raghunandan Prasad from Saran district. The fifth was from the Mahar Regiment and belonged to Maharashtra.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a state funeral for all four soldiers, and also a compensation of Rs.10 lakh for their families.

However Rai's widow refused the compensation and demanded 'tough' action against Pakistan.

'I will not accept the Rs.10 lakh till the Indian government takes tough action against Pakistan,'said Pushpa Devi.

Biker dead after collision with truck

New Delhi : A 25-year-old man died and his friend was gravely injured when their bike collided with a dumper truck early Wednesday morning, police said.

James Thomas and Sahil, both hailing from Kerala, were pursuing mass communication course from Amity University and had come to meet a friend in Nizamuddin area of south Delhi Tuesday night.

On their way back, a speeding dumper hit them on the DND flyway that connects Delhi to its suburb of Noida, Uttar Pradesh at around 6.45 a.m.

According to police, they were taken to hospital where doctors declared Thomas dead while Sahil continues to battle for his life.
--IANS

Biker dead after collision with truck

New Delhi : A 25-year-old man died and his friend was gravely injured when their bike collided with a dumper truck early Wednesday morning, police said.

James Thomas and Sahil, both hailing from Kerala, were pursuing mass communication course from Amity University and had come to meet a friend in Nizamuddin area of south Delhi Tuesday night.

On their way back, a speeding dumper hit them on the DND flyway that connects Delhi to its suburb of Noida, Uttar Pradesh at around 6.45 a.m.

According to police, they were taken to hospital where doctors declared Thomas dead while Sahil continues to battle for his life.
--IANS

Half of Americans eat fast food every week

WashingtonL: Almost half of Americans say they eat fast food at least every week, although more than seven in ten Americans think fast food is unhealthy, according to a poll.

The Gallup annual consumption poll found that fast food has still been a major part of Americans' diets, Xinhua reported.

According to the poll released Tuesday, three percent of Americans say they eat fast food every day, while 16 percent and 28 percent of Americans respectively report eating at fast food restaurants 'several times a week' and 'once a week'.

Another 33 percent of Americans say they eat fast food once or twice a month. Only four percent of Americans say they never eat at fast food restaurants.

Among those who eat fast food weekly or more frequently, more than 7 in 10 of them believe the food is not good.

Half of Americans eat fast food every week

WashingtonL: Almost half of Americans say they eat fast food at least every week, although more than seven in ten Americans think fast food is unhealthy, according to a poll.

The Gallup annual consumption poll found that fast food has still been a major part of Americans' diets, Xinhua reported.

According to the poll released Tuesday, three percent of Americans say they eat fast food every day, while 16 percent and 28 percent of Americans respectively report eating at fast food restaurants 'several times a week' and 'once a week'.

Another 33 percent of Americans say they eat fast food once or twice a month. Only four percent of Americans say they never eat at fast food restaurants.

Among those who eat fast food weekly or more frequently, more than 7 in 10 of them believe the food is not good.

Breastfeeding may reduce Alzheimer's risk among women

London: A British study has suggested breastfeeding mothers run a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's, with longer periods of breastfeeding further reducing the risk.

The study paper, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, has suggested that the link may be to do with certain biological effects of breastfeeding. For instance, breastfeeding restores insulin tolerance which is significantly reduced during pregnancy, and Alzheimer's is characterised by insulin resistance in the brain, Xinhua reported.

On the basis of data gathered from a group of 81 British women, researchers observed a highly significant and consistent correlation between breastfeeding and Alzheimer's risk. They argued that this was so strong that any potential sampling error was unlikely.

'Alzheimer's is the world's most common cognitive disorder and affects 35.6 million people,' said the study's lead author Molly Fox of the University of Cambridge.

'In the future, we expect it to spread most in low and middle-income countries. So it is vital that we develop low-cost, large-scale strategies to protect people against this devastating disease,' Fox said.

Earlier studies have already suggested that breastfeeding can reduce a mother's risk of certain other diseases.

Research has shown that there may be a link between breastfeeding and a woman's general cognitive decline later in life. Until now, however, little has been done to examine the impact of breastfeeding duration on Alzheimer's risk.

Breastfeeding may reduce Alzheimer's risk among women

London: A British study has suggested breastfeeding mothers run a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's, with longer periods of breastfeeding further reducing the risk.

The study paper, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, has suggested that the link may be to do with certain biological effects of breastfeeding. For instance, breastfeeding restores insulin tolerance which is significantly reduced during pregnancy, and Alzheimer's is characterised by insulin resistance in the brain, Xinhua reported.

On the basis of data gathered from a group of 81 British women, researchers observed a highly significant and consistent correlation between breastfeeding and Alzheimer's risk. They argued that this was so strong that any potential sampling error was unlikely.

'Alzheimer's is the world's most common cognitive disorder and affects 35.6 million people,' said the study's lead author Molly Fox of the University of Cambridge.

'In the future, we expect it to spread most in low and middle-income countries. So it is vital that we develop low-cost, large-scale strategies to protect people against this devastating disease,' Fox said.

Earlier studies have already suggested that breastfeeding can reduce a mother's risk of certain other diseases.

Research has shown that there may be a link between breastfeeding and a woman's general cognitive decline later in life. Until now, however, little has been done to examine the impact of breastfeeding duration on Alzheimer's risk.