Even small amounts of physical activity may decrease the risk of developing kidney stones, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The study also found that consuming too many calories may increase risk.

By Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) – Scientists derided research published on Tuesday that suggested ear acupuncture may help people lose weight, saying the study’s design was flawed and its conclusions highly implausible. “It is hard to think of a treatment that is less plausible than ear acupuncture,” said Edzard Ernst, a professor of complementary medicine at Britain’s University of Exeter. A summary statement about the study, conducted by Korean researchers, said it compared three approaches in a total of 91 people – acupuncture on five points on the outer ear, acupuncture on one point, and a sham treatment as a control. It said participants were asked to follow a restrictive diet, but not one designed to lead to weight loss, and not to take any extra exercise during eight weeks of treatment.