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Gossip is good for you. Or at least that was the conclusion of a study conducted at the University of Michigan, which aired up 160 women and had half of them proofread a botany paper and the other half dish about their personal lives. Twenty minutes later, the chatty Cathys had increased levels of progesterone, which is linked to "long term physical health and has anti-stress effects," whereas the women stuck talking about plants had decreased levels. So, basically, oversharing with strangers is good for your health. Debating Petunias, not so much. Of course, the more interesting study would examine the potenially salubrious effects of reading about other people's personal lives. Look for that study, sponsored by Us Weekly, E!, and Perez Hilton, in the coming months. [NYDN]