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Science News for February 16, 1998


Communities Affect School Achievement

Research suggests that communities with strong commitments to education and supportive parenting have more effective schools, while lack of resources can hinder educational success. Summer vacation activities also impact learning outcomes, with middle-income children making gains during this time, whereas low-income children do not.

Some Women's Work Place Inequality Grows

A new study by Cornell University labor economist Francine D. Blau found that less-educated women, particularly high school dropouts, are experiencing a deteriorating economic status. They have seen their wages fall and their level of participation in the labor market rise at a slower pace than more highly educated counterparts.

Astrostatistics Reacquainting Old Friends

A team of Penn State researchers is reacquainting old friends by integrating statistical principles back into astronomy. They are using advanced methods such as time series analysis, sampling theory, and nonlinear regressions to tackle complex problems like large-scale clustering of galaxies and the internal structure of the sun.

Babies Are Born With Language

Research by Barbara Lust found that American and Taiwanese children as young as 3 years old possess a remarkable understanding of complex grammar and syntax. This ability is so precise that it challenges known learning theories, suggesting that humans are biologically programmed for a language faculty.