Eye drops designed to lower cholesterol may be able to help prevent a common cause of blindness.

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say they think the drops could help fight age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older people.

That's because research has uncovered a link between high cholesterol levels in immune system cells and AMD. In experiments with mice, scientists were able to control the key cause of AMD with eye drops containing cholesterol-regulating agents.

They say the drops could help prevent a layer of fat from building up beneath the retina.

Peer pressure motivates

A new study finds that people may be more motivated to lose weight for financial gain if it's part of a group effort. 

Researchers found that those competing as individuals lost about 3.7 pounds over five months. But those competing as team members lost more than 10 pounds.

Both categories bet out people with no financial incentive. They lost just over a pound over the same period.