Today in Research: Health Benefits of Coffee; Is Obesity Contagious?

Discovered: Twitter addiction, Super Earth, there's a possibility obesity is infectious, 1.2 million malaria deaths, drinking coffee has at least one health benefit for a small set of people.

• Is obesity contagious? This research leads us to believe, yes. Yes, it is something one can catch. "We could make a mouse fatter just by putting it in the same cage as the other mouse," said Yale researcher Richard Flavell. Apparently microbes in the stomachs of the heftier mice traveled to the thin mice, making them both fat and unhealthy. Gah! Sorry, we know this study is still in the mouse stage, but fat friends, we can no longer hang out in cages with you. [LiveScience]

• A health benefit from coffee. With all this downer caffeine health news this week, we're pretty excited that there's finally something positive related to our coffee addictions. Unfortunately, it applies to a niche set of humans. Coffee reduces fibrosis risk in those with fatty liver disease, finds research done by the U.S. Army. "Patients with NASH may benefit from moderate coffee consumption that decreases risk of advanced fibrosis," explains Dr. Stephen Harrison. All we hear is "benefit." And, we're back on the coffee train. Thanks, Army! [Hepatology]

Read the full story at The Atlantic Wire.