National Doughnut Day is here! Head out to your favorite bake shop and celebrate, but before you do, check out this week’s “Science Times” synthesis and discover how the cup of coffee you enjoy with your doughnut just might be helping to prevent prostate cancer. Share your thoughts in our comments section, and let us know which article (or doughnut) is your favorite!

Week of May 24, 2011
Prevention: Coffee lowers risk of prostate cancer, Harvard study says: A recent study indicates that higher levels of coffee consumption may help prevent prostate cancer.

On your marks, get set, measure heart health: A growing body of research suggests that an individual’s midlife fitness level can be used to predict future heart health.
Getting wise to the owl, a charismatic sentry in climate change: Twenty years of research into the population trends of snowy owls illuminates the connection between ecosystems and climate change.

Week of May 30, 2011

The bilingual advantage: Through her research on bilingualism, cognitive neuroscientist Ellen Bialystok has discovered that bilingual Alzheimer’s patients remain symptom free nearly five to six years longer than monolingual patients.

Viral outbreaks in dogs yield clues on origins of hepatitis C: The recent discovery of genetic similarities between the hepatitis C virus and canine hepacivirus has left scientists wondering about the origin of these viruses.

The claim: A diet high in protein is bad for your kidneys: New research challenges the claim that a high-protein diet may be harmful to your health.

A good night’s sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity: One woman explores the issue of chronic sleep deprivation, and how the human body responds.