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That’s the conclusion of a group of researchers at Sweden’s Uppsala University, who studied 18 women while they snacked and watched different types of TV programming: an “engaging” episode of a popular Swedish comedy show and a “boring” televised art lecture. As a control, the researchers also monitored grazing during another “non-engaging” activity: reading a text on insects living in Sweden (seriously, we couldn’t make that last part up). The results showed that boring content increased snacking by a surprisingly weighty margin....

Frustrated by your butt? Research from the University of North Carolina reveals the most effective moves for sculpting a sexy, shapely backside. In fact, the butt exercises in this 10-minute routine beat out the competition by activating muscles up to 30% more than traditional moves. Add in regular cardio 4 to 5 times a week and researchers say you’ll start noticing a firmer, shapelier rear in as little as 2 to 4 weeks....

Cold weather subjects the body to stresses that turn up in all kinds of ways, like dry, chapped skin, puffy eyes, chapped lips, parched hair, and brittle nails. Wear a coat and hat to stay warm, but eat well to take good care of your body from the inside out. Prevent chapped lips and wrinkles Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, help skin retain moisture....

And yet. Brazilian scientists have developed a new way of testing coffee grounds for fillers like corn, sticks (yep, as in wood), barley, and soybeans. The test, which detects the presence of sugars that wouldn’t normally be in pure java, is being presented at this week’s annual American Chemical Society meeting. (Previously, the best way we had to detect impurities in ground coffee was to examine the grinds with a microscope....

Crystalline, a protein found in the human eye, penetrated and repaired bleached hair, according to the results of a new study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. “Bleach breaks bonds inside the hair shaft and disrupts the protective layer, making hair weaker,” says Randy Schueller, cosmetic chemist and editor-in-chief of the Beauty Brains. “Gamma crystalline [the kind tested in the study] can penetrate into the inner region of the hair shaft, allowing it to strengthen hair from within....

Do you ever have trouble focusing your attention on—oh look! A new Facebook friend request! Thanksgiving food requests, oh yes. Better check out that recipe finder before Turkey Day. Wait, what were we saying? Chances are that—like us—you’re prone to a wandering mind. In fact, mind meandering takes up about half of our mental time. But a new study in Clinical Psychological Science shows that when our minds stray, our health can take a nosedive....

Antioxidant Berry MaskWhy it’s a facialist fave: This mask is made of fresh organic blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries—all of which are packed with nutrients like damage-fighting vitamin C and antioxidants. “When I take the mask off, my skin is exfoliated, brighter, and very plump and supple,” says Cecilia Wong, holistic esthetician and founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare in New York City, who indulges in her homemade treatment about twice a week....

Not exactly. A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that humans are actually hardwired to bury the hatchet—and that apologies have powerful effects. Researchers at University of Miami gathered a group of 337 participants who’d been emotionally harmed by someone in their life, and then tracked how the relationships improved (or didn’t) during a 21-day period. The results prove what our conscience has told us time and again: There’s no better way to heal a broken bond than to say “sorry....

Researchers from Hungary questioned dog owners about their pets’ personalities to come to the conclusion that there are only slightly detectable differences in personalities between different breeds. So what does account for differences? It’s more of a matter of nurture than nature. “There really isn’t much connection between the historical functions of the breed and its current behavior anymore,” says Janis Bradley, a writer for the National Canine Research Council and owner of the Dog Training Internship Academy....

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SWAP OUT: Drying hand sanitizerSWAP IN: A hydrating version Quenching aloe vera offsets the drying effect of germ-killing alcohol. TRY: Bath & Body works PocketBac Deep Cleansing Hand Gel ($1.50; bathandbodyworks.com) SWAP OUT: Ordinary hand lotionSWAP IN: A formula with SPF UVA light, which is present 365 days a year, prevents production of skin’s natural moisturizers. TRY: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30 ($6; drugstores) SWAP OUT: Hot-water washingSWAP IN: Tepid temps Hot H2O strips natural skin oils—so keep the tap at warm....

It had been a month since my older brother, Denis, passed away at the age of 34—12 years since his metastatic cancer diagnosis and 3 years since my sister-in-law had given birth to their identical twin daughters. About 6 weeks earlier, his text messages had started buzzing in at strange hours. They were touching: “Love you, sis.” And puzzling: “Can you get me some new dress shirts at J.Crew?” I’d planned to deliver them to him in Toronto on a Friday....

Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, and take 10 seconds to rest and transition to the next exercise. If you have the time and energy, you can repeat the circuit 2 or 3 times. More from Prevention: Transform Your Body—And Your Life—In 28 Days

Photos by Mitch Mandel Here’s how to put them together:Pull meat from a rotisserie chicken in large pieces. Spoon a few tablespoons from the top of a 13.5-ounce can of coconut milk into a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of curry paste. Add 4 teaspoons of sugar, remaining coconut milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, add chicken, and warm through. Stir in a cup of fresh basil leaves....

Sweat summary: Yoga instructor Chrissy Carter gives viewers an introduction to the basic poses featured in most Vinyasa-style classes. Sweat factor: low/medium sweat Mood: Upbeat What we liked: Perfect for newbies, Carter breaks down the basic poses and focuses on proper form to help you learn to flow like a pro. Carter’s energy and positive attitude are infectious and will keep you entertained throughout the practice. What we didn’t like: The pace between each move seemed a little quick for those looking to settle into each pose....