How long have you been sitting behind a computer this year?

Your desk job and screen time could be killing you–resolve to change your situation this year. A recent study found a significant increase in death risks in people that spend more than eight hours sitting every day.

To help AppNewser readers cope with this major medical problem, we’ve found five apps that will help you get up and move every day. Links to Amazon, Android and iOS apps follow below–add your suggestions in the comments section.

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Ruzzle joins the top free iOS apps list this week at No. 6, according to research from AppData. The word game from Mobile Access Group AB lets users challenge friends to find as many hidden words as they can in two minutes.

Below, we’ve listed the top free iOS apps of the week. The list links to Inside Network’s research about the individual apps, including historical charts, developer information and download information.

To support Mediabistro’s Media App Summit which took place earlier this month, we have been spotlighting the top free apps every week–helping our readers discover, enjoy and analyze successful content. Read more

Stressed out? Make a New Year’s resolution to reduce the stress in your life.

We’ve put together a list of five free apps with links and descriptions that will help you manage stress. Our list includes apps for Android, iOS and the Kindle Fire.

1. Stress Tracker: “Just added to the Stress Tracker is the Rage Control Program for men and women. These 5-minute audio programs were developed by Dr. Frank Lawlis, president of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Dr. Phil show. This exercise will help calm you down when you feel wound up, frustrated, angry, or upset, ultimately dissolving rage and preventing later regret.” Read more

In the wake of privacy policy changes at Instagram, the popular photo sharing app has seen its daily active user count decline dramatically on Facebook.

Our sibling network AppData mapped the changes (chart embedded above, click to enlarge).

The New York Post has more: “Instagram users outraged over new rules made good on their threat to dump the popular photo-sharing app … Instagram, which peaked at 16.4 million active daily users the week it rolled out its policy change, had fallen to 12.4 million as of yesterday, according to the data. Last week, Instagram changed its terms of service to pave the way for advertising.”

Mojiva’s recent survey reveals that an overwhelming majority of mobile users are more likely to text their New Year Celebration this year. Additionally, respondents also said they will be using their smart phones to take plenty of photos and sharing them via their favorite social networking sites.

There’s a large gap between calling (~60%) and texting (~70%). This change might be attributed in this years’ popular rise in mobile apps for social sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Even YouTube members can take videos of their New Year events and share it with an unlimited number of friends. With so many social options, users can share and celebrate with more than just voice communication. Additionally, sites like Google allow social interactions with multiple members via video chats.

The survey also reveals some insightful wishes of mobile users for 2013. Can Mobile devices help them organize their lives better, find better restaurants, and share private stories on public sites? Click below to see the rest of the infographics. Read more

Science nerds can rejoice because NASA is getting into more digital publishing with its latest books, Hubble Space Telescope: Discoveries and Webb Space Telescope: Science Guide. The books are available in Apple’s iBookstore and in PDF format. NASA’s eBooks are extremely interactive – you can manipulate telescope models and watch galaxy collisions on your iPAD for free.

This great resource provides in-depth information on the technology behind NASA’s famed telescope, The Hubble, which has been in operation since 1990 and has provided the public with astounding imagery of space. The interactive book details the history of the telescope’s creation as well as some of the great discoveries it has enabled.

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New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released a new iPhone app that lets subway riders track what time select subway trains are coming, in real time.

Subway riders can get up-to-the-minute information about what time their train will be in their station. Here is more from iTunes: “Knowing exactly when your train will arrive will reduce the time you spend waiting on the subway platform, and let you know of any service delays or reroutes before you pay your fare.”

At launch the app, called Subway Time, includes this information for the 1,2,3 lines, the 4,5,6 lines and the Shuttle.

NY1 has more: “Android and Windows versions are being developed and the MTA is also looking to include real-time arrival info on its website.”

Hoping to read more books in the new year? Earlier this year, we created a handy list of ten social networks for readers:

1. Scribd: “Think of Scribd (pronounced “skribbed”) as the largest book club on the planet — except that anyone can join the conversation on any topic imaginable: vampire fan fiction, European travel, the latest research in neuroscience, even crossword puzzles.”

2. Goodreads: “A place for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, Goodreads members recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they’ve read and would like to read, form book clubs and much more.”

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Apple App Store downloads increased by 87 percent on Christmas Day compared to the December 2012 average, according to Distimo AppIQ data.

Check it out: “…the revenues showed an slightly lower increase of 70%. Given that the iPad downloads and revenues rose by 140% and 83% respectively, the iPad seems to have been a very popular gift.”

According to Distimo, the most popular apps downloaded on Christmas Day on iOS devices (excluding Apple apps) were YouTube, Google Maps, Elf Yourself, Where’s My Holiday, and Skype.

Beyond just Apple’s App Store, yesterday we reported that app downloads across devices were up 112 percent on Christmas Day compared to other days in December. (Via CNET).

Los Angeles’ basketball team the Lakers has released an app for iOS and Android devices.

The new app lets fans track news, stats, schedules, and check out photos and videos. Mobile development agency Lucid Appeal created the app, which fans can use to buy tickets to games via an integration with Ticketmaster.

“Launching this mobile app is a part of our long term strategy to engage Lakers fans across digital platforms and deliver content to fans in all the ways they want to consume it,” explained Nick Kioski, director, new media & technology for the Lakers, in a statement. ”We’re excited for this launch, but even more so for the long-term road map we have for the mobile app and the dynamic features coming in future versions.”