Zimbabwe: Hope in a time of cholera

Zimbabwe's new science minister faces a daunting task in rebuilding his country's scientific capacity. He deserves all the help he can get.

If You’re Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too

In a new, year-long University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals...

Anti-social behavior in girls predicts adolescent depression seven years later

Past behavior is generally considered to be a good predictor of future behavior, but new research indicates that may not be the case in the development of depression, particularly among...

Smoking Kills, Irrespective Of Social Class And Gender

A well-off professional who smokes has a much lower survival rate than a non-smoking low-paid worker of the same sex, concludes new research.

When dreaming is believing: Dreams affect people's judgement, behaviour

While science tries to understand the stuff dreams are made of, humans, from cultures all over the world, continue to believe that dreams contain important hidden truths, according to newly...

Robot playmates monitor emotional state of children with ASD

The day that robot playmates help children with autism learn the social skills that they naturally lack has come a step closer with the development of a system that allows...

Anthropologist's studies of childbirth bring new focus on women in evolution

Contrary to the TV sitcom where the wife experiencing strong labour pains screams at her husband to stay away from her, women rarely give birth alone. There are typically doctors,...

Clare Turner

Duke launches Murdock study

KANNAPOLIS, N.C., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Duke University said it is seeking 50,000 volunteers to donate blood for what researchers hope will be a landmark health study in...

Laguna Woods' retirees still await medical pot dispensary

Responding to some residents' quality-of-life pleas, the city last year agreed to let a marijuana facility set up shop. But so far no landlord has been willing to risk the...

'Joy of Cooking' or 'Joy of Obesity'?

In the classic cookbook, published since 1931, changes in ingredients and serving sizes have led to a 63% increase in calories per serving in 17 of the recipes, a study...

Howls of protest greet tango email

An email promoting a tango concert set off howls of protest in offices across Washington on Tuesday as recipients seeking to unsubscribe were hit by a flood of further unsolicited...

Multiracial Identity Associated With Better Social And Personal Well-being

Many people assume that individuals who identify with one race should be better off than multiracial individuals who identify with a mixed race heritage. However, a new study in the...

Our Aging Ears And Brains: Why Listening In Background Noise Gets Tougher As We Age

Older adults often have trouble understanding what someone is saying when surrounded by background noise, such as at a restaurant or party, but their ears may not be the only...

Automated 'Intelligent' Houses Help Elderly Stay In Homes Longer

Many aging people would like to live independently as long as possible within their own homes. Automated and intelligent surroundings can assist in making this wish a reality.

Maintaining Balance And Listening At Same Time May Become More Difficult For Older Adults

Listening to a conversation or audio book while walking or exercising sounds simple enough for most people, but it may become more difficult for people in their upper 70s and...

Gardening Gives Older Adults Benefits Like Hand Strength And Self Esteem

Researchers already have shown that gardening can offer enough moderate physical activity to keep older adults in shape. The researchers also discovered that among the other health benefits of gardening...

Multilingualism Brings Communities Closer Together

Learning their community language outside the home enhances minority ethnic children's development, according to research led from the University of Birmingham. The research found that attending language classes at complementary...

Buying Experiences, Not Possessions, Leads To Greater Happiness

Can money make us happy if we spend it on the right purchases? A new psychology study suggests that buying life experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness...

Does Hollywood Really Need to Get the Science Right?

You can almost see scientists rubbing their hands (or groaning) whenever a new Hollywood film rolls out, riddled with scientific errors. But one astronomer recently voiced a possibly blasphemous suggestion...

Differences in language-related brain activity affected by sex?

(PhysOrg.com) -- Men show greater activation than women in the brain regions connected to language, according to researchers from CNRS, Université de Montpellier I and Montpellier III. This work is...

New working-class task force faces broad challenges, labor expert says

A task force launched by President Obama to boost America's middle class will have to help retool beleaguered U.S. workplaces facing their most sweeping changes since World War II, a...

Bond with Mom Helps Kids Make Friends

A child who has a strong relationship with Mom during preschool years tends to form closer friendships in grade school.

Youth advocate flunking on mental health issue: Opposition

Newfoundland and Labrador's youth advocate is failing to do her job, the Liberal leader of the Opposition says.

Zoning kerfuffle threatens methadone clinic

A methadone clinic that helps Calgary addicts kick their drug habits is being told to move because it does not have the proper zoning permit.

Darwin the Buddhist? Empathy Writings Reveal Parallels

The famed naturalist probably didn't know it, but he held views on human empathy that mirror Buddhist beliefs, says a pioneer in decoding facial expressions.

Vital Signs: Risks: Pets Might Motivate Smokers to Quit

Are smokers more likely to quit smoking when they are told their pet is at risk from secondhand smoke?

Varying Sweat Scents Are Noted by Women

Men’s sweat smells different when they are sexually aroused, and women can (unconsciously) tell the difference.