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MOVE IT: An hour of moderate physical activity per day is enough to cancel out the deadly effect of sitting behind an office desk or watching TV, research has shown.

Scientists who analysed data on a million men and women found that sitting for more than eight hours a day without taking exercise significantly increased the risk of dying early.

People in this group — who include many thousands of office workers — were up to 60% more likely to die prematurely than more active and less sedentary individuals.

But the increased risk of death associated with sitting down for too long was completely eliminated by a minimum of one hour’s moderate activity a day. A brisk walk or cycle ride fell into this category.

The study authors also urged office employers to be understanding about staff taking short breaks away from their desks.

EARLY WARNING: Simple eye and smell tests could be used to spot dementia years before sufferers experience memory symptoms, new research suggests.

In a large-scale trial, researchers have found a link between poor cognitive ability — a “clear warning sign” of the early stages of Alzheimer’s — and the thickness of people’s retinal nerves.

The findings, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, Canada, could be key as doctors believe diagnosing the condition early is “essential” if treatments are to be found that will give people who develop the condition the best chance.

SELF-CARE: Patients monitoring diabetes and blood pressure at home cope better than those who are only seen by their doctor, scientists have found.

New research indicates that telemonitoring devices, which record health information and send it directly to doctors, could provide better support to patients than traditional consultations.

Lead researcher Professor Brian McKinstry, of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Medical Informatics, said: “This study suggests that if health information is sent directly to a GP, it can help doctors and nurses to decide which patients need help, further treatment and advice.”