— Myrrh, a Middle Eastern tree resin known as one of the three kings’ gifts, lowered “bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein) concentration when included in rats’ diet, a study found. While myrrh may not have the same properties among humans, we do wish you a myrrh-y Christmas! (Science Daily)

— Santa isn’t the best role model for health, according to recent findings. The Pennsylvania Medical Society estimates that if Santa has one cookie and one cup of milk from each home in the state that plans to offer, he would consume nearly 790 million calories on Christmas Eve (AMNews). Another study painting a more sinister picture of the jolly old elf is also making waves. A BMJ piece noted a correlation between venerating Santa and high rates of childhood obesity, along with the fact that the sleigh-driver never wears a seatbelt, but it’s all a Christmas joke.

— Marketing researchers found that eating over the weekends and holidays differs considerably from normal weekdays, leading them to recommend that the US Department of Agriculture revise its food pyramid for the typically high-calorie days. A resolution to eat less on New Year’s Day might be the best start to 2010. (Science Daily)

— Spruce and pine trees have seven times more DNA than the average human, according to researchers who are planning the first genetic mapping of a conifer. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, T-G-C-T-G-T-C. (Wired)

— Having a hard time catching that last-minute gift? There’s always plenty of mono and pneumonia to go around on giantmicrobes.com. Of course, there’s also the most popular virus of the season: H1N1.

Image by armatoj via Flickr Creative Commons