Hush little baby... Linking genes, brain and behavior in children

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:57 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

It comes as no surprise that some babies are more difficult to soothe than others but frustrated parents may be relieved to know that this is not necessarily an indication of their parenting skills.

children, science, genetics

Regular moderate alcohol intake has cognitive benefits in older adults

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:56 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

A glass of wine here, a nightcap there - new research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that moderate alcohol intake offers long-term cognitive protection and reduces the risk of dementia in older adults.

health, dementia, health-alcohol

Monkey economy works

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:54 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

A monkey that has acquired the sole power to hand out apples is generously rewarded with grooming sessions by the other monkeys in its group. But as soon as another monkey can hand out apples as well, the market value of the first monkey is halved.

science, science-economics

Does Size Matter? Study shows Taller People Earn More Money

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:53 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

Taller men are able to earn more money than their shorter counterparts simply because taller people are perceived to be more intelligent and powerful, this according to a study published in The Economic Record by Wiley-Blackwell.

science

'Lipstick on a pig' -- tracking the life and death of news

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:52 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

In mainstream media, they found, a story rises to prominence slowly then dies quickly; in the blogosphere, stories rise in popularity very quickly but then stay around longer, as discussion goes back and forth.

world-news, media-studies

Neuroimaging suggests that truthfulness requires no act of will for honest people

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:49 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

A new study of the cognitive processes involved with honesty suggests that truthfulness depends more on absence of temptation than active resistance to temptation.

science, morality, truthfulness

Sex involved in plant defense

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:47 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

Why do some plants defend themselves from insect attacks better than others? New evidence shows that the difference might be due to whether they're getting any plant love.

science, immunity

'Broken heart syndrome' no longer a myth

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:46 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

Dying of fright or of a broken heart has long been dismissed as myth, but it's a real phenomenon that one Northeastern physical therapy professor and researcher has observed and studied.

health, psychosomatic-illness

British girl's heart heals itself after transplant

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:44 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

Hannah Clark, of Cardiff Wales, has made a full recovery after she given an extra heart at the age of two. Hannah had a donor heart grafted on to her own after suffering heart failure as a baby.

science

Japanese scientists aim to create robot-insects

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:43 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

In an example of 'rewriting' insect brain circuits, Kanzaki's team has succeeded in genetically modifying a male silkmoth so that it reacts to light instead of odour, or to the odour of a different kind of moth. Such modifications could pave the way to creating a robo-bug which …

robotics, science, brain

Study shows how camels keep their cool

Seeded on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:18 AM EDT (PhysOrg.com)

Camels shed heat in the morning so that they can last longer in the rutting display and win a harem

science, camels, scinece-reproductive-strategy

Watching Whales Watching Us - NYTimes.com

Seeded on Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:27 PM EDT (The New York Times)

In addition to bleeding around the whales' brains and ears, scientists found lesions in their livers, lungs and kidneys, as well as nitrogen bubbles in their organs and tissue, all classic symptoms of a sickness that scientists had naturally assumed whales would be immune to: …

animals, whales, science, intelligent-life, interspecies-communication

In love? It's not enough to keep a marriage, study finds | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Seeded on Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:10 PM EDT (Reuters)

A couple's age, previous relationships and even whether they smoke or not are factors that influence whether their marriage is going to last

marriage, happiness

Maryland boasts at least 3 Harry Potters - UPI.com

Seeded on Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:14 PM EDT (United Press International)

A Maryland man who shares his name with fictional wizard Harry Potter says he is frequently contacted by young fans of the book and film series.

harry-potter, odd-news

Suspect IDs himself as dead U.S. president, tells deputy he's under arrest | deputy, arrest, told - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Seeded on Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:23 AM EDT (nwfdailynews.com)

A man who alternately identified himself as a long-dead United States president, a police commissioner, a police chief or an undercover FBI agent told a deputy to "arrest yourself" when he was told he was under arrest.

odd-news, crime

Family use own urine to find missing dog Labrador Simon | Bristol News | This is Bristol

Seeded on Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:19 AM EDT (thisisbristol.co.uk)

Bristol family are trying to lure their missing black Labrador home – by using their own urine to scent-mark trees and lamp posts.

odd-news, pets-dogs

8-Way Kidney Transplant, a First, at Johns Hopkins Is Part of 16-Surgery Chain - washingtonpost.com

Seeded on Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:18 AM EDT (The Washington Post)

The logistics are mind-boggling: an eight-way, multi-hospital, domino kidney transplant involving six men and 10 women in four states.

health, surgery

Teetotal Mexican drugs cartel claims divine right to push narcotics | World news | The Guardian

Seeded on Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:17 AM EDT (Guardian Unlimited)

recruits members from rehab clinics and forbids them from drink and drugs. Advancement within the organisation depends as much on regular attendance at prayer meetings as on target practice.

odd-news, crime, mafia