Scientists at U-W Madison say eat less, live longer and healthier.
It's called "Caloric Restriction" and it's nothing new.
"It's been known since 1935 that a reduction in calorie intake can increase the lifespan of laboratory rats and keep them healthier for a longer period of time."
UW-Madison School of Medicine Professor Richard Weindruch says, since that time, a 20-year study shows a 30% reduction in calories slows the aging process in monkeys. That's based on four different measures including improved survival; fewer incidents of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease; reduced brain atrophy and loss of muscle mass.
Weindruch warns people who partake in a longevity diet, there's not a lot of leeway to consume empty calories.
"It's very easy to become malnourished, especially if you're not very knowledgeable about nutrition. So, if you're eating, say 20 or 30% less of an already borderline diet, nothing good will happen."
Weindruch says those who limit calories needn't do vigorous exercise, because they don't eat enough calories to burn.
Despite his expertise, Weindruch says he's not very good at adhering to this plan. As for the rest of us, he does not push the idea. He simply provides the facts, and it's up to us to decide whether it's right for us.
The findings of the Wisconsin study are published in the journal Science .
Eat less, live longer and healthier
College student drowns at summer field study camp
A UW Stevens Point student drowned Wednesday night while participating in a summer field study camp near Rhinelander. University spokesman Stephen Ward says information about how Dan Zurawski drowned is very preliminary.
Zurawski was a natural resources major in a required field study program at the Treehaven facility. Ward says the school's first concern is for Zurawski's family. Ward says students can stay or leave the program if they want.
The Oneida County sheriff's department and medical examiner are investigating the circumstances surrounding Zurawski's death.
Regents approve tuition hike
The UW Board of Regents has approved a 5.5-percent tuition hike.
The Board voted for the increase at all four-year UW campuses during it's meeting Thursday. System President Kevin Reilly says it will impact students at the UW-Madison the most, with a $617 tuition hike for the upcoming academic year. The UW-Milwaukee will see a $359 increase and other four-year campuses will see tuition jump about $280.
Reilly says he'd prefer not to see tuition go up at all, but it's just not possible at the UW System works to deal with state budget cuts and rising costs.
Even after raising tuition, Reilly says tough financial decisions remain. However, he says they will try to avoid drastic measures, such as cutting classes, capping enrollment, or double-digit tuition increases in the future.
Reilly says more financial aid will be available to help students offset the tuition increase. Grants will also be available for UW-Madison students from families making under $80,000 a year and students at other UW schools with a family income under $60,000.
Appeals court rules on OWI case
Appeals court judges have ruled you don't have to be in your car to be convicted of drunk driving.
The state Appeals Court ruled that a Middleton police officer had probable cause to arrest a woman for drunk driving, even though he didn't see her behind the wheel.
Jessica Shcroeder had abandoned her car after she crashed off Highway 12 in January of 2007. The cop went to Schroeder's residence, and said her eyes were glassy and bloodshot and he smelled booze. She refused a breath test, but the court said he had the right to make an OWI arrest.
Meeting of the minds on swine flu
Governor Jim Doyle was among a panel of governors during a day-long summit Tuesday in Maryland addressing preparation and prevention of a flu spike this fall with both seasonal strains and H1N1.
Money to fight the flu was on the mind of Doyle, as Wisconsin and other states face strict budgets. He asked, via video conference, US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius what federal funding is available.
Sebelius says a supplemental bill passed by Congress will provide $350 million dollars. Of that $260 million goes toward states and territories, as well as 60 million to hospitals for surge capacity. The application deadline for the federal grants is July 29th and Washington may start sending checks out as early as the 31st.
Sebelius also says they've already allotted about a billion dollars to buy the bulk of a flu vaccine's ingredients.
Wisconsin has by far had the highest number of influenza A cases nationwide.
