Marathon Runners Risk Skin Cancer

A new study by dermatologists at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, found that white marathon runners seem to face an increased risk of skin cancer because of long sun exposure. The 210 marathon runners in the study had more abnormal moles and lesions than a control group, and 24 were referred for surgical treatment. The highest rate of referral, 19%, was among the runners who trained more than 43.5 miles per week.

The annual Toronto Marathon is in aid of cancer research.

Dark Chocolate Improves Heart Health

A new study reveals that eating a few squares of dark chocolate every day can improve heart health. Diane Becker, professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University presented findings at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association that a chemical in cocoa beans has a similar biochemical effect to aspirin and can reduce the likelihood of blood clotting. Previous research had already shown this effect with much larger quantities of dark chocolate, which has high levels of antioxidants called flavonoids.

Stern Review

The U.K. government commissioned a report on the Economics of Climate Change. The author Sir Nicholas Stern, a former chief World Bank economist, released his report October 30; it can be read online at www.sternreview.org.uk.

His conclusions were:

• There is still time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, if we take strong action now.
  
• Climate change could have very serious impacts on growth and development.
  
• The costs of stabilising the climate are significant but manageable; delay would be dangerous and much more costly.
  
• Action on climate change is required across all countries, and it need not cap the aspirations for growth of rich or poor countries.
  
• A range of options exists to cut emissions; strong, deliberate policy action is required to motivate their take-up.
  
• Climate change demands an international response, based on a shared understanding of long-term goals and agreement on frameworks for action.