It's no surprise a woman's quality of life varies greatly around the world -- but what many of us don't realize is just how dire circumstances continue to be in most of the countries around the globe.

Though it was recently reported women now receive the majority of post-secondary degrees across all levels in the US, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, in other respects there are serious concerns. Recent stories about gender preferences for babies in Canada brought into the spotlight surprising attitudes on this controversial topic, as it's been shown to correlate with sex-selective abortions and a lower quality of care for girls.

Valerine M. Hudson, a professor of political science at Texas A&M University, developed the WomanStats Project in an attempt to gather as much information as possible about women around the world, as well as "[assess] the linkage between the security of women on the one hand, and the security, stability, and behavior of nation-states on the other."

She and her team have now teamed up with Foreign Policy to create maps of some of that data, showing, for example, the high rate of discrepancy in education in Afghanistan, or the almost complete lack of women in government in China.

Countries in Africa and the Middle East are shown to be particularly challenging places for women, for both political and cultural reasons. While initiatives have been put into place to help these areas empower the female population, WomanStats Project's data shows there is still quite a way to go.

SEE: Maps of the world showing the various problems affecting women. Text continues below:

Child Marriage
Of note: The countries in which underage marriage is common and encouraged include India, Turkey, and Panama, among many others. Marriage under the age of 18 has been correlated with higher rates of dying young, health problems, living in poverty and illiteracy.

Female Genital Cutting
Of note: While the majority of countries scarcely engage in this practice, the countries where more than half of the women have their genitals cut include Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Egypt.

Son Preference And Sex Ratios
Of note: Canada, Colombia and Chile, along with other countries, have notably higher rates of abnormal sex ratios, which has been shown to correlate with sex-selective abortions and discrimination in care for girls.

Women's Physical Security
Of note: The countries in which women lack physical security -- which is defined as fewer laws against domestic violence, rape, and marital rape, their enforcement, the taboos or norms about reporting the crimes and existence of 'honour killings' -- include Cambodia, Morocco and Peru, among many others in Africa and the Middle East.

Trafficking Of Females
Of note: The countries in which trafficking is not illegal and commonly practiced include Myanmar, Venezuela and North Korea. Studies have found that 70 per cent of trafficked women end up in the sex trade.

Maternal Mortality
Of note: Maternal mortality rate is linked with the general health of a society, as a lower rate positively affects families and economy. The countries that have more than 300 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births include almost all of central Africa, Pakistan and Bolivia.

Discrepancy In Education
Of note: The countries in which there is a greater than 20 per cent difference between male and female education, as well 'significant' legal and cultural restrictions to it, include Afghanistan, Somalia and Haiti.
Educating women has been shown to help improve health, poverty and create equality between men and women.

Government Participation
Of note: The countries in which 0 to 10 per cent of parliament is composed of women include China, Japan and Brazil (despite their female president). A 2010 study by Deloitte emphasized the importance of women in government in order to foster equality. They found that a critical mass of one-third of women in government can help societies move beyond 'gender-centric issues.'

Discrepant Government Behaviour
Of note: The countries in which there is virtually no enforcement of laws concerning the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women include Iran, Papua New Guinea, and Eritrea, despite the latter two countries' accession to the convention in 1995.

By Elizabeth Goodman Artis for Shape.com

There's nothing like an intense, sweaty workout to make you feel like a million bucks -- calmer, happier and more comfortable in your skin (and your jeans). But anytime you push yourself physically, especially if it's a tougher-than-normal class or you're getting back into a routine after a hiatus, you may experience a few mild symptoms, especially if you're not properly hydrated. When should you be concerned?

"I tell my clients that the one symptom they should seek immediate attention for is any kind of chest pain or tension in the chest, arm, neck or even back that persists for more than 20 minutes -- it could indicate a heart attack," cautions Tommy Boone, Ph.D., M.P.H., board member of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists and editor in chief of The Journal of Exercise Physiology. Otherwise, here are a five exercise side effects that are okay to experience from time to time, and when to seek medical help.

For more on fitness and exercise, click here.

Mother's Day 2012 is May 13th. (Listen up, dads. According to PlumDistrict.com, 44 percent of you forget the day to honor mom entirely.) This year, 62 percent of consumers polled by PriceGrabber plan to spend less than $100 on Mother's Day gifts and most will be ordered online. Flowers will be the most popular purchase; gift cards, clothing and accessories are next in line.

But the tangible items that will be given to moms on May 13th aren't exactly in tune with what they want -- survey after survey reveals that this Mother's Day, mom's greatest wish is for a little R&R, ideally an entire day off from all responsibility.

PlumDistrict.com polled over 19,000 women and eight out of ten said they would prefer to sleep in on Mother’s Day instead of watching the sunrise with their kids. One out of three admitted that they secretly want to be alone on the holiday.

Forty-eight percent of moms who participated in an online survey for Ebates.com named a day at the spa as their number one gift choice. Men, however, mistakenly ranked spa day as number three on the list of what they think their partners want, placing flowers and jewelry above.

When CafeMom readers were asked to contribute to a Mother's Day wish list, the theme was overwhelmingly the same. "A day off from EVERYTHING," one woman responded. "Just one morning to sleep in! My 9 month old loooove being an alarm clock at 4 a.m.," another pleaded.

Here on HuffPost, tweeters were in sync, too. "No presents, just peace," @MelbHab declared. Now it's your turn, tell us what you REALLY want this Mother’s Day by tweeting @Huffpostparents #momwants.

According to a recent article in Arthritis Care & Research, one-third of US adults with arthritis, over the age of 45, report having anxiety or depression.

The research paper highlights that anxiety is nearly twice as common as depression among sufferers.

"Given their high prevalence and the effective treatment options that are available, we suggest that all people with arthritis be screened for anxiety and depression," said Dr Louise Murphy, a lead researcher with the Arthritis Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Florida, in a statement.

"With so many arthritis patients not seeking mental health treatment, health care providers are missing an intervention opportunity that could improve the quality of life for those with arthritis," added Dr Murphy.

According to a recent report from a coalition of leading charities, people with long-term conditions are twice or three times more likely to experience depression.

Arthritis Care say there are 10 million people living with arthritis in the UK, and one in five of the adult population has arthritis.

Judith Brodie, chief executive of Arthritis Care, told Huffpost Lifestyle: "In a recent survey we found there is a huge emotional and psychological impact on people with arthritis, including over 68% saying they feel depressed when their pain is at its worst."

The analysis of 2,263 surveys demonstrated that - while a third of people with the condition said talking 'helped' to relieve symptoms - one in five (21%) revealed nothing made them feel better.

"This ‘hopeless and helpless’ mood is often how people first present to our helpline,” continues Brodie.

“We want to see people with arthritis having much easier access to GPs who understand their condition, and more support to relieve, manage and cope their pain and distress. While access to mental health services is also important, there is more to be done at an earlier stage”

In an interesting recent twist, researchers recently found that a drug designed to beat depression could provide a life-changing treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.

According to recent statistics recorded in The Lancet, the number of women who have died during childbirth has doubled in the last five years – with London having twice the mortality rate as the rest of the UK.

Between 2005 and 2011, maternal deaths rose from 10 deaths per every 100,000 women to 20. In London alone, there were 11 birth-related deaths in 2005, which shot up to 31 deaths in 2011.

So why are 21st century women, who have access to modern medicine and technology, still dying from childbirth complications?

According to lead researcher Dr Susan Bewley, professor of complex obstetrics at Kings College, the sharp increase in older mothers having IVF (a treatment that increases the number of multiple births and chance of complex pregnancies), soaring levels of obesity and the fact women are giving birth to more children than ever before in the UK, are all key factors behind these statistics.

Bewley claims that British maternity services are buckling under the pressure as birth rates soar. Births in London have increased by 27% in the last 10 years (from 106,000 in 2001 to 134,000 in 2011), but the numbers of midwives and obstetrics have stayed the same.

In many cases in London, labour and birth complications arose because the doctors were too junior to deal with the situation or not supervised, adds Bewley.

Talking about the statistics, Bewley told the Telegraph: "These are bald figures, there is a lot about them that we don't know. We do know that women are becoming pregnant when they are older and fatter, and have more complex health issues.

"It could be that hospitals in London are actually coping surprisingly well against greater odds, or it could mean there are problems with the services.”

Cathy Warwick, president of the Royal College of Midwives, told the Independent: "London still has some of the worst shortages of midwives across the country. There are more women facing more complex pregnancies creating a difficult situation. We need to target resources at women who need more support."

A tragic example of the UK's childbirth mortality crisis includes young mother, Sareena Ali, 27, who recently died with her baby following an emergency caesarean.

Ali from Essex was allegedly left unattended by midwives after being admitted to hospital for a planned induction. She later suffered a ruptured womb and cardiac arrest and died five days later.

If you're a chronic-pain sufferer, you're not alone.

A new study from Gallup-Healthways shows that 31 percent of U.S. adults have some sort of neck or back condition that causes them pain, 26 percent have some sort of leg or knee condition and 18 percent have another condition that causes chronic pain.

Forty-seven percent of people in the survey said they had at least one kind of chronic pain (meaning they had either neck or back pain, leg or knee pain, or another kind of pain), and 7 percent of people said they experienced all three kinds of chronic pain.

The researchers also found that more than a third of people who are in their mid-50s and up have some sort of ongoing neck or back pain.

Chronic knee and leg pain also plagues about a third of people in that age range, according to the data from the 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Researchers also found that more than one in five people between late-40s and late-80s experienced pain that comes back again, according to the Gallup study.

The results are based on the data from 353,000 surveys from people ages 18 and older. The survey asked participants whether they had any sort of recurring pain condition over the last 12 months.

Notably, the researchers found that reports of chronic pain differed by age. Reports increased between ages 18 and 59, from 16 percent to 37 percent. But the researchers found that chronic pain reports stopped increasing once people hit 60.

One possible reason for this is that "it is possible that those who survive into their 70s and 80s are typically less likely to have such chronic pain conditions," the researchers wrote in the report.

Researchers also found that reports of chronic pain go down as income levels go up -- for example, 37 percent of people who make less than $36,000 per year report neck or back chronic pain, compared with 26 percent of people who make $90,000 or more per year. The researchers hypothesized that a big explanation for this is the lower rates of health insurance among people with lower incomes.

Weight also seemed to play a role in those who experience chronic pain. And perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise -- after all, a past Gallup-Healthways poll showed that a high body mass index (BMI, a ratio of height to weight) is also linked with higher rates of daily pain.

Click through the slideshow to see how chronic pain affects people based on their BMI, according to the new survey results:

Mindfulness meditation doesn't just lower stress and regulate our emotions -- it could also improve a doctor's ability to care for his or her patient, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that training doctors in mindfulness meditation helped them to listen better and not be as judgmental both at home and at work. The study will be published in the June issue of the journal Academic Medicine.

For the study, doctors in Rochester, N.Y., participated in a mindfulness meditation training course that consisted of eight weekly two-and-a-half-hour sessions, one all-day session, and then 10 monthly two-and-a-half-hour sessions of mindfulness training. The researchers interviewed 20 of these doctors after the training program.

The researchers found that 60 percent of the doctors said that the training helped them to be more attentive listeners, and more than 50 percent said that they were more self aware and less judgmental in conversations.

Seventy-five percent of the study participants also said that it was especially meaningful to be able to talk about their personal medical experiences with other doctors in the training program, and that they felt safe to talk about these experiences in a setting that was free of judgment.

The findings provide evidence that "our health care delivery systems must implement systematic change at the practice level to create an environment that supports mindful practice, encourages transparent and clear communication among clinicians, staff, patients, and families, and reduces professional isolation," the researchers said in a statement.

A past study in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science explained what it is about mindfulness meditation that makes it so healthy. Researchers in that study defined mindfulness as "the nonjudgmental awareness of experiences in the present moment," and identified the four acting components of mindfulness meditation: regulation of attention, body awareness, self-awareness and regulation of emotion.

Each of these elements helps us in different aspects of our lives, according to the study. For example, regulation of attention may help us be extra-aware of our bodily state. And by being aware of our bodies, we are able to recognize the emotions we are currently experiencing, researchers said.

For more effects of meditation, click through the slideshow:

Hopes of developing anti-ageing drugs have been given a boost by new research involving an ingredient in red wine.

Previous studies have shown that the plant compound resveratrol improves the health of mice fed a high-fat diet and increases their lifespan.

Scientists have now confirmed how this occurs. Resveratrol enhances the activity of energy-generating powerplants in cells via a gene called SIRT1, which is also linked to longevity.

Researchers are already looking at molecules that mimic the effect of resveratrol by targeting SIRT1. Such compounds could form the basis of future drugs that extend disease-free lifespan.

The effect of resveratrol on SIRT1 had been demonstrated in yeast, worms and flies before but never on higher animals.
The experiments involved a new strain of laboratory mouse whose SIRT1 gene can be switched off.

When adult mice were given low doses of resveratrol with SIRT1 disabled, no effect was seen on the cellular powerplants, called "mitochondria".

But mice with normal SIRT1 showed dramatic increases in energy after exposure to resveratrol.

"The results were surprisingly clear," said lead researcher Professor David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School in the US. "Without the mitochondria-boosting gene SIRT1, resveratrol does not work."

The findings are published today in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Resveratrol is a "dirty" molecule that can influence a number of different genes and proteins.

Other research has indicated that its metabolic benefits are derived from an effect on a different gene called AMPK.

This has raised doubts among some experts over whether SIRT1 is the right target for anti-ageing drugs.

The new studies show that even though resveratrol activates AMPK at high doses, this has no impact on mitochondria.

At low doses, resveratrol affects SIRT1 but not AMPK.

George Vlasuk, chief executive of the US biotech company Sirtris, which is trying to develop anti-ageing drugs, said: "The work.. strongly supports the basic rationale being pursued at Sirtris, which focuses on the development of small-molecule compounds that directly activate the enzymatic activity of SIRT1 as a new therapeutic approach to many diseases of ageing."

We have a girl crush. And the gal we're loving right now is Cobie Smulders.

The "How I Met Your Mother" star was in Toronto earlier this week walking the red carpet for "The Avengers," which is set to hit theatres on May 4. In the movie, Smulders plays agent Maria Hill.

During the premiere, the Canadian fashionista wore a beige and white cutline dress with a sweetheart neckline and sheer fabric. She donned matching beige heels, carried a tiny beige clutch and looked leggy thanks to a short side slit.

We think it's safe to say we'll be seeing more and more of this smart sartorialist.

Just look at some of her other fashions. While in Toronto, Smulders kept it casual with shiny red pants (Canadian, eh!) pairing them with a black boyfriend blazer (her co-star Mark Ruffalo looked great, too). We also love her ankle boots with a wooden heel -- perfect for spring or summer.

Check out some of our other favourite Cobie Smulder's fashion and beauty moments.

Scientists studying mice have identified a gene which could boost human fertility.

Experts say the discovery, announced in a journal today, could help people struggling to conceive naturally.

A Durham University team working with scientists from Osaka University in Japan were studying fertility in mice when they discovered that the gene, which makes a protein called PDILT, enables sperm to bind to an egg, a process essential to fertilisation.

They found that when the gene was switched off in male mice, less than 3% of females' eggs were fertilised compared to more than 80% in mice when the gene was left switched on.

It is the first time that a gene of this type has been linked to fertility.

Adam Benham, of Durham University's school of biological and biomedical sciences, said: "The protein is an essential part of the navigation system of sperm.

"It helps sperm swim through the oviduct to the egg and without it sperm get stuck.

"Our results show that navigating the oviduct is an important part of the fertilisation process.

"Like any navigation system, you have to programme where it is that you want to go and this protein plays an essential role in getting sperm to the right destination, in good shape, and in good time."

The researchers also found that the cumulus cells, a cluster of cells surrounding and protecting an egg, play an important role in fertility - their presence enables sperm to bind properly to an egg.

Although the research and findings are at an early stage, the researchers now hope to look at how the gene affects sperm-to-egg binding in humans.

The findings are published in the journal PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Plus fertility-boosting food you should be eating..

By Tina Haupert

A few years ago, I worked in a 9-5 desk job in an office where the kitchen was an ever-present buffet of donuts, muffins, cookies and other larger-than-life pastries. I honestly can't remember too many days when there wasn't some sort of sweet treat tempting me to eat it. I often fell victim to those goodies when my stress levels rose, and instead of dealing with what was actually stressing me out, I temporarily masked my feelings with the treats. For a long time, I didn't recognize this pattern was happening -- until it led me to gain several pounds.

More from Health.com:
How the Pros Curb Food Cravings
Job Killing You? 8 Types of Work-Related Stress
Emotional Eating: The Trick to Staying Slim

Even now when I feel stressed, I still crave sugary carbs, which are loaded with calories and fat and not helpful when it comes to maintaining my Feel Great Weight. It's not always easy to overcome those emotions, but these tricks have certainly helped me (and will help you!) get a handle on stress eating.

Know Your Triggers
When I felt overwhelmed by a monstrous to-do list or frustrated by a difficult project, I'd often find myself turning to sugary treats for comfort, but learning my motives was key for controlling those cravings. Once I was more conscious of these triggers, I started to change my eating patterns.

Ask, 'I Am Really Hungry?'
When I feel the urge to stress-eat, I take a moment to assess my actual hunger. I'll even ask myself: "Am I really hungry?" I know my physical and emotional hungers are different, so I try to wait out a craving to see if my hunger subsides.

Stock Up On Healthy Eats
If I am really hungry, I will eat a healthy snack, like a peanut butter and banana sandwich or Greek yogurt with cereal and nuts mixed in. The combination of healthy carbs, fat and protein satisfies my hunger while helping me feel more relaxed at the same time. Similarly, snacking on crunchy raw veggies like carrot or celery sticks helps me deal with my frustration without consuming a lot of calories.

Use Distractions
When my urge to reach for a sugary treat is really strong, I distract myself from the idea. I'll either take a brisk 10-minute walk, listen to music on my iPod, read one of my favorite blogs or chat with a friend for a little while. Most of the time, doing one of these things calms me and helps me get a handle on my stress eating.

Pretend It Doesn't Exist
Think: out of sight, out of mind. For example, if I know there are cookies in my kitchen, I'll inevitably want to eat them as soon as I start to feel stressed. If I forget that they exist, the chances that I will turn to them for comfort drops considerably.

Be Healthy
This one might seem kind of obvious, but simply trying to be healthy in my everyday life helps me manage my stress levels and cravings. I try to exercise regularly and get adequate sleep each night, because I know if I'm tired or cranky, I'll reach for food as soon as I start to feel stressed.

By Steve Mirsky
(Click here for the original article and podcast)

Obese people have higher risks for diabetes, heart disease, arthritis—and injuries in car accidents? Yes, in part because they’re far less likely to wear a seat belt. That’s the finding of a study out of the University of Buffalo that will be presented at an upcoming meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine in Chicago.

The researchers analyzed data in the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The study included a third-of-a-million drivers involved in fatal crashes. Two years ago, the research group found that morbidly obese people were 56 percent more likely to die in a car crash than normal-weight car occupants. The new study revealed that drivers of normal weight are 67 percent more likely to wear a seat belt than are obese drivers—which could account for at least part of the increased death risk.

The researchers hypothesize that overweight people find belts uncomfortable and difficult to buckle. A weight-loss program can address the problem in the long run. An inexpensive seat belt extension can solve it today.

Not interested in getting pregnant? Then perhaps you'll want to reconsider how much you rely on the Pill -- or condoms, birth control patches, vaginal rings and injections.

Reuters recently reported on a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology that found about 45 per cent of women overestimated the effectiveness of the Pill and condoms, which showed a nine per cent pregnancy rate with "typical use" of the Pill, and between 18 to 21 per cent with condoms.

Meanwhile, for the far less common intrauterine device (IUD), the unplanned pregnancy rate shoots down to between 0.2 per cent and 0.8 per cent. According to Planned Parenthood, that's on par with vasectomies, female sterilization and implants at less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women a year, though another birth control method is suggested for three months after a vasectomy.

SEE: There are ways to make your birth control more effective -- here are bad birth control habits you didn't realize you had. Story continues below:

CLICK HERE FOR SLIDESHOW TEXT

Study leader Dr. David L. Eisenberg told Reuters Health that information is key to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

"We need to do a better job of educating the public -- women and men -- on the failure rates with typical use," he said.

Birth control patches have been found to have approximately the same efficacy as the Pill, as does the vaginal ring -- only a 1 in 100 chance of an unplanned pregnancy if used properly, and a 1 in 9 chance if used improperly.

Last year, The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) released a game, Birth Control Brigade, with that very intention.

“Our hope is that adopting a game format will allow messages about the array of hormonal contraceptive options and the importance of responsible and healthy sexuality to have a positive impact on the contraception choices they make,” said the SOGC's Dr. Edith Guilbert in the press release.

SLIDESHOW TEXT

Timing
Pills work best if they're taken at the same time each day -- which is often difficult for women to remember.

Taking Antibiotics
It's not as common as it once was, but antibiotics can occasionally affect the effectiveness of your birth control pill. Ask the doctor who prescribed the antibiotics about any potential interactions.

Talking About It With Your Partner
While it can be difficult with a new partner, avoiding the subject of birth control won't make it go away, particularly if you've already started having sex. Get past sexual histories, concerns and preferred methods out in the open as soon as possible to make this work for everyone.

Buying The Wrong Condoms
Besides also being more comfortable for both partners, ensuring you have the right condom size can mean it's less slightly to break (if it's too tight) or slip off (if it's too small).

Be Open To Change
The Pill isn't the be all and end all of birth control options - investigate alternatives if you're not all that into the Pill, or if it's giving you some adverse side effects. Options like the intrauterine device (IUD) shown here are quite common, and could even be more effective.

Consistency
Forgetting to take their Pill is more common than most women would like to admit, and it can certainly impact the risk of pregnancy. Missing one day is generally believed to be fine, but you should probably opt for back-up for a week after just in case.

Adding On Protection
Similarly, the first week -- and more cautious people say even month -- of starting the Pill, use a condom, as the hormones won't yet be as effective as they could be.

Using The Wrong Tools
Oil-based lubricants shouldn't be used with condoms, as they can break down the latex and therefore increase the risk of pregnancy. Always opt for water-based lubricants.

You Take It Out Too Soon
For birth control methods like sponges and diaphragms that require removal, women can make the mistake of taking them out too soon -- each should be removed six hours after sex, but shouldn't be kept in any longer than 30 hours.

Molecular changes that switch genes on or off can set the stage for breast cancer many years before the disease is diagnosed, research suggests.

The discovery could lead to a blood test that will help doctors identify women who are most at risk.

Scientists analysed blood samples from 1,380 women of various ages, 640 of whom went on to develop breast cancer.

A strong association was found between molecular modification of a white blood cell gene called ATM and breast cancer risk.

The scientists looked for evidence of a chemical effect called methylation, which acts as a "gene switch".

Women showing the highest methylation levels affecting the ATM gene were twice as likely to develop breast cancer as those with the lowest levels.

On average, the blood tests were carried out three years before diagnosis. In some cases they pre-dated the discovery of breast cancer by up to 11 years.

The results were especially clear in blood samples from women under the age of 60.

Methylation is an "epigenetic" mechanism that allows genes to be affected by exposure to environmental factors such as hormones, radiation, alcohol, smoking or pollution.

Increasingly, epigenetic effects are being seen as important drivers of cancer.

Dr James Flanagan, of Imperial College London, who led the new research, said: "We know that genetic variation
contributes to a person's risk of disease.

"With this new study we can now also say that epigenetic variation, or differences in how genes are modified, also has a role.

"We hope that this research is just the beginning of our understanding about the epigenetic component of breast cancer risk and in the coming years we hope to find many more examples of genes that contribute to a person's risk.

"The challenge will be how to incorporate all of this new information into the computer models that are currently used for individual risk prediction."

The findings are published in the journal Cancer Research.

Why breast cancer risk should be linked to changes in a white blood cell gene remains an unanswered question.

The ATM gene has also been associated with a number of other cancers, including lymphoma and leukaemia.

Dr Flanagan, a Breast Cancer Campaign scientific fellow, added: "So far we have found alterations in one small region of a gene that appear to associate with risk of disease, and so the next step with this epigenetic research is a genome-wide approach to try and find all the associated genes."

He said the research raised the possibility of a simple blood test to assess breast cancer risk at a very early stage.

Combined with other information, such as a family history of breast cancer, it could help identify women who might benefit from pre-emptive action.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "Dr Flanagan's research into epigenetics is so exciting because it suggests that there is every possibility the risk of developing breast cancer could be decided many decades in advance.

"By piecing together how this happens, we can look at ways of preventing the disease and detecting it earlier to give people the best possible chance of survival."

Your nest may not be the cleanest place. Germs grow -- and grow quickly -- and forgetting to clean under and over hard to reach places can actually make you sick.

More shocking, though: some studies have found the things we use the most -- doorknobs, light switches and even our favourite handbags -- are probably the reason we get sick, according to ABC News.

Now, we don't recommend you take that mop and duster and clean/tackle every single spot on this list. But cleaning these "forgotten" places should be done in moderation at least every other week.

Scared of mould and mildew taking over your home? Here are 20 things you shouldn't forget to clean.

According to a recent study, the first thing Brits want to do when they get in from work is collapse in front of the sofa – instead of under the sheets with their partner.

The study of 2,700 adults by Weight Watchers discovered over half of Brits (51%) struggle to muster the energy for a romp with their other half – or any other type of exercise – as the thing they crave the most post-work is sleep.

After a long day at work, the majority of Brits are not only too knackered to have sex – they also can’t be bothered to socialise or chat to friends over the telephone, choosing texting over talking.

A third of people admit to turning down a night out with friends because the effort of getting ready was simply too much.

Nearly half of overworked and undersexed Brits cite ‘tiredness’ as the main reason for their sedentary, 'coach potato' behaviour once they get home.

“According to our research, more than 14 million adults are leading more inactive lifestyles than is healthy,” explains Zoe Hellman from Weight Watchers.

“The lack of motivation is putting people at risk of health issues later in life, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.”

If you work long hours and the idea of stripping off and getting busy under the sheets makes you yawn, maybe these health-boosting benefits of sex might kick-start your libido…

Or find out how to fight the post-work fatigue..

Jessica Simpson had her baby on Tuesday (after what seemed like the longest pregnancy ever) and the hot topic of conversation surrounding the newest celebrity mom is now her baby's name -- Maxwell Drew Johnson for a little girl.

According to Nameberry.com, Maxwell, means "great stream" and Drew, which is Jessica's mother's maiden name, means "manly."

That adjective is exactly what critics are calling the moniker Simpson and husband Eric Johnson chose. Linda Rosenkrantz, baby-naming expert and co-founder of Nameberry.com says Maxwell is usually thought of as a "100 percent male name." But Simpson isn't the first celebrity this year to choose Maxwell for a girl. Actress, Lindsay Sloane named her daughter Maxwell with the middle name Lue in January.

Rosenkrantz says it's up in the air as to whether this name will take off for girls, "but you can imagine Max as a female nickname name a la Sam," she says. Once historically male names do make their way to the girls side, however, they become less common in boys -- Avery, Emerson and Finley for example.

Celebrities choosing traditionally male names for baby girls is somewhat of a trend, Rosenkrantz also points out. Soleil Moon Fry named her daughter Jagger, Ziggy Marley chose Judah, Brendan Fehr picked James for his girl and Alexis Stewart went with Jude for her daughter.

Other names that can work for either gender have been trendy amongst non-celebs for ages, but 2011 was the first year Nameberry published a list of Top Unisex Names based on what parents were searching for most. Harper and Quinn were among the most popular.

Take a look at what people are saying on Twitter have to say about the name Maxwell Drew; then vote in our poll and tell us what you think in the comments!

By Mike Roussell, Ph.D. for Shape.com

Q: Are there certain foods that I can eat to improve my complexion?

A: Yes, with a few simple diet tweaks, you can help reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles, dryness and thinning skin. The saying "you are what you eat" is especially true when it comes to your skin. Here are the best foods to incorporate into your diet to improve your complexion:

1. Flax And Flaxseed Oil
Flax is a treasure trove for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fat that’s a key component of the lubricating layer that keeps skin moist and supple. In fact, low intake of ALA can lead to dermatitis (red, itchy skin).

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10 Foods That Cause Inflammation
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One great way to get more flaxseed oil in your diet: Try Nutrition Garlic Chili Organic Flax Seed Oil as an alternative to olive oil for salad dressing; coincidentally olive oil has also been shown to be good for your skin so alternate between the two oils for maximum results.

2. Red Bell Peppers And Carrots
These two vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C, which is a key player in the production of collagen (which keeps skin firm) and protects cells from damage caused by free radicals (which can lead to premature wrinkles).

Red bell peppers and carrots are also two of the most convenient healthy snack foods. Cut them into strips and take them with you when you’re on the go.

3. Lean Beef Or Poultry
Research shows that women with more wrinkles are more likely to have lower intakes of protein. And still more research shows that the skin of older women with lower protein intakes is more prone to cracking, tearing and breaking.

Your prevention plan: Aim to have a protein containing food (eggs, lean beef, poultry, edamame beans, etc.) at each of your meals to ensure optimal protein levels in your diet -- and supple skin.

These three additions to your diet are simple, but the effects are profound. Making just one of the above changes can reduce the likelihood of wrinkles by 10 percent, of thinning skin by 25 percent or of dryness by 20 percent, according to a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

For more on beauty and skin, click here.

Flickr photo by Emily Barney

According to new research by Asthma UK, over a third of sufferers are at risk of a potentially fatal asthma attack.

A study of almost 25,000 people found that over half of respondents (55%) did not think they were vulnerable to a high-risk attack, however results reveal 93% are actually in danger.

Asthma kills three people every day, and someone is admitted to hospital with a potentially fatal asthma attack every seven minutes in the UK, yet asthma attacks and hospital admissions can be prevented by spotting and treating early warning signs.

Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, told Huffpost Lifestyle on World Asthma Day: ‘Despite the fact that over 5.4 million people in the UK have asthma there is still a lack of understanding of the condition, even amongst those who have it themselves."

Churchill points out that 75% of hospital admissions are preventable with better management and support.

Asthma UK are encouraging people with asthma to take The Triple A Test to help them find out their risk of having an attack and advise them what they can do to reduce it.

“If someone with asthma has never really fully understood their condition or discussed their symptoms in detail with their GP or asthma nurse they may not be aware of what increases their risk of having an asthma attack. This is why the Triple A Test is so important," says Churchill.

Oxford University researchers believe real-life 'love pills' - that solve common marital woes and keep the passion alive - could soon be making their way into a marriage counselling session near you.

Despite the fact that marriage is having a comeback after 40 years of decline – we’re still 200 more likely to file for divorce than a century ago.

According to recent figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), recession-hit couples do try and stick together, but marital disharmony (caused by the pressures of job losses, uncertainty about the future and rising debt) often gets the better of them, causing divorce numbers to soar.

And with weekly reminders about high-profile unions, such as loved-up (and extremely wealthy) Heidi Klum and Seal hitting the rocks, combined with the worrying fact that one in three men don't marry for love - is it any wonder we struggle to keep the love alive?

But before you give up on love altogether, consider this – could the solution lie in a simple pill?

Not that pill (the contraceptive type that apparently alters a woman’s love for her partner) but a drug that is a potent concoction of essential neurohormones that make us fall – and stay – giddy in love.

According to a team of neuroethnicists, who have written an in-depth paper about the possibilities of a psychopharmaceutical ‘love drug’ - this could well be the future of marriage counselling.

Yes, soon you’ll be able to cut out the middle-man (the Relate counsellor) and get a prescription for love. Perhaps.

In Neuroenhancement of Love and Marriage: The Chemicals Between Us, Oxford University researchers Julian Savulescu and Anders Sandberg claim that scientists may soon be able to interfere with the biology of human attraction with the help of chemical blockers and enhancers.

To do this, they would have to create a pill that contains the “modulators of love”, which could potentially help us stay together longer, increase attractiveness and decrease infidelity.

The essential ‘ingredients’ of the pill are:

Pheromones
These are odourless chemicals that trigger emotion responses, mainly sexual and attractiveness, between the opposite sex. If this was popped into a pill, it could potentially help people maintain the attraction they first felt for their partner.

Oxytocin and Vasopressin
Also known as the ‘bonding chemicals’, oxytocin and vasaopressin are hormones released in the body that promote physical bonding. The brain releases a high amount of these hormones during the early, romantic stages of a relationship. If these hormones were present in a pill, they could strengthen the sense of togetherness and bonds between couples.

Testosterone
High levels of testosterone increase the amount of sexual desire between the opposite sex. A testosterone-induced pill could aid flagging libidos.

CRH
Although this hormone (corticotropin-releasing hormone) can sometimes cause depression and anxiety, it also creates the fear of separation, which can help deepen the bond between two people.

Entactogens
This drug (found in MDMA pills like ecstasy) creates the feeling of openness and the desire for emotional closeness, claims the paper. This could increase the connection and sociability between people if it was present in a pill.

Would you give it a go?