Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Sedatives may increase elderly suicide risk: study
LONDON (Reuters) - Sedatives and sleeping pills prescribed to ease depression, anxiety and sleep problems appear to increase the risk of suicide four-fold among the elderly, Swedish researchers said on...
Antidepressant does not stop repetitive behaviours in autistic children
The antidepressant citalopram does not appear to reduce the occurrence of repetitive behaviours in children and teens with autism spectrum disorders, according to a report in the June issue of...
Retained elementary students often do not get special education plan
Many children who are retained in kindergarten, first or third grade for academic reasons do not subsequently receive a document outlining the individualised special education services they should receive, according...
TV noise associated with fewer verbal interactions between infants and parents
For every hour they spend in the presence of an audible television, parents speak fewer words and infants are less likely to make vocalisations in response, according to a report...
Culture, not biology, underpins math gender gap
For more than a century, the notion that females are innately less capable than males at doing mathematics, especially at the highest levels, has persisted in even the loftiest circles...
Also Made in China: The First Pottery
China gave the world gunpowder, paper, the compass and porcelain. Pottery, too, it seems.
Commonly Used Medications May Produce Cognitive Impairment In Older Adults
Researchers conducted a systematic evidence-based analysis of 27 peer reviewed studies of the relationship of anticholinergic effect and brain function as well as investigating anecdotal information. They found a strong...
Glucose Metabolism And Recidivism Of Severe Violent Crimes In Alcohol Intoxications
A low glycogen level, which means non-oxidative glucose metabolism, predicts forthcoming violent offending among antisocial violent offender males, suggests a new study.
N.B. government proposes wage freeze laws for doctors, MLAs
Faced by mounting financial challenges, the New Brunswick government wants to freeze the wages of doctors and provincial politicians for the next two years.
Half of All Friends Replaced Every 7 Years
Your social network size may stay the same, but you replace half your friends in seven years, study shows
New Space Headache Category Proposed Following Astronauts’ Survey
Researchers are calling for space headache to be established as a new secondary disorder after carrying out a study of 17 astronauts. Their study jettisons the theory that astronauts’ headaches...
Xbox Live links to Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm
Microsoft has said social networking sensations Twitter and Facebook, along with Internet radio star Last.fm, are connecting to the Xbox 360 videogame console online world.
Interview: Linking electronics
George Malliaras discusses the interplay between organic electronics and biology with Fay Riordan
Individuals Genetically At Risk Of Developing Psychological Disorders Also Benefit The Most From Positive Environments
A new interpretation reframes the nature-nurture debate, showing that individuals who are genetically at risk of developing psychological disorders are more affected -- for better and for worse -- by...
Long-distance Brain Waves Focus Attention
Just as our world buzzes with distractions -- from phone calls to e-mails to tweets -- the neurons in our brain are bombarded with messages. Research has shown that when...
Girls worse at math? No way, new analysis shows
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Girls can do just as well at math as boys -- even at the genius level -- if they are given the same opportunities and encouragement, researchers...
African Americans are more vulnerable to welfare penalties
African Americans are significantly more likely to be sanctioned by the United States welfare system than whites, according to research published in the June issue of the American Sociological Review,...
Class action claim launched over doctor's alleged misreading of X-rays
A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed seeking compensation from the Saskatchewan government, three regional health authorities and a Yorkton doctor over radiology tests it claims were wrongly interpreted.
Harvard scientist says we are what we eat -- and what we cook
"You are what you eat." Can these pithy words explain the evolution of the human species?
Media leaders struggle with how to make online journalism pay
The new player in the game is the internet, and the news industry is experiencing similar growing pains. So journalism students at Toronto's Centennial College invited members of the local...
B.C. plan to cover costly eye drug raises potential conflict of interest, doctors say
British Columbia's plan to pay for an expensive drug used to treat age-related macular degeneration may be putting doctors in a conflict of interest, CBC News has learned.
Government-scientist tensions escalate in Venezuela
The Venezuelan president's criticisms of scientists in his country have added to concerns about government involvement in science.
How healthy is your river?
How do you know how healthy your local river is, and whether it is improving? Academics at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of London think they...
Intervention reduces delinquent teenage pregnancy rates
A program aimed at reducing criminal behaviour in juvenile justice teens has yielded a surprising side benefit. The program is also reducing the teens' rate of pregnancy, according to a...
Young Unwed Women Who Graduated From Private Religious Schools More Likely To Obtain Abortions
Unwed pregnant teens and 20-somethings who attend or have graduated from private religious schools are more likely to obtain abortions than their peers from public schools, according to sociological research....
Study shows gay couples want legal rights, regardless of marriage
New research from North Carolina State University shows that gay and lesbian couples are forming long-term, committed relationships, even in the absence of the right to marry. However, couples surveyed...
D'oh! Simpsons may promote smoking: Australian researcher
Long-running US cartoon show "The Simpsons" may inadvertently promote smoking with its frequent depictions of the habit and references to cigarettes, Australian research has found.
Where's Wiseman? An experiment into the paranormal using Twitter
Volunteers will test the theory of 'remote viewing' on the instant messaging service by trying to locate a roving psychologist