Stress, smoking, lack of exercise and poor eating habits are well-known causes of cardiovascular disease. But bad gums?

An article in the latest issue of the Journal of Periodontology suggests that periodontal patients, whose bodies show evidence of a reaction to the bacteria associated with periodontitis may have an increased risk of developing a cardiovascular disease.

“The findings of this new analysis of previously published studies suggest that the long-term effect of chronic periodontitis, such as extended bacterial exposure, may be what ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease,” said Kenneth Kornman, the journal’s editor.

Howard University researchers revisited 11 studies that had previously examined clinically diagnosed periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The team analysed the participants’ level of systemic bacterial exposure, specifically looking for the presence of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease, as well as measuring various biological indicators of bacterial exposure.

They found that individuals with periodontal disease whose biomarkers showed increased bacterial exposure were more likely to develop coronary heart disease.

Man’s influence on coral

Caribbean coral reefs have suffered significant damage from over-fishing and run-off from agricultural land, according to a study of 322 sites across 13 countries. The study provides compelling evidence that proximity to a large human population spells bad news for the survival of reefs.

The study aimed to go beyond local effects and identify significant factors at a regional level. The study used data on the health of corals, fish and large algae such as seaweed from 322 sites between 1999 and 2001.

The study then matched this with data on nearby coastal development, agricultural land use, environmental disasters such as hurricanes, and sea temperature. The results indicated that the number of people in close proximity to the reefs was the main factor governing declines in coral reefs.

Sun affects electricals

The sun has just entered a 11-year cycle of heightened activity that could throw electrical and electronic systems including cell phones and ATMs out of gear, scientists say.

A sunspot that marks the beginning of the cycle appeared last week in the sun’s northern hemisphere, scientists of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

The new cycle could affect power grids, critical military, civilian and airline communications, Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, and even cellphones and ATM transactions. The sunspot is an area of highly organised magnetic activity on the surface of the sun — or a kind of solar storm.

Cockroaches help soya

Having trouble with cockroaches? Ask them to head for Texas. Farmers there will welcome them!

Researchers say the humble Asian cockroach, or Blattella asahinai, is proving to be a boon for cotton and soybean farmers of south Texas as they prey on the eggs of major pests of the crops, Sciencedaily reported.

Entomologist Bob Pfannenstiel of the Beneficial Insects Research Unit at Weslaco, Texas, has been studying predators that feed on the eggs of cotton and soybean crop pests such as bollworm and beet armyworm. The Asian cockroach was first discovered in the US in Florida in 1986, and it took almost two decades for it to head west. Now it is moving towards the Mexican border.