Research published in the Oxford Journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that exposure to violent media can lead to decreased brain activation in regions involved in emotions and emotional responses. This desensitization can result in increased acceptance of violence and a reduced likelihood of forming consequences wi...
The journal provides global coverage of data protection and privacy issues, spanning scholarship and practice. It aims to solidify the position of data protection and privacy law as a central area of importance for individuals, economies, and new technologies.
Research by Dr. Carlos Herrera found that withered petals form a protective barrier around seeds, preventing insect damage and increasing seed ripening rates in lavender. However, the role of petals in plant fertility is complex and requires further study.
A team led by Fabiola Parra has successfully traced the domesticated Gray Ghost Organ Pipe (Stenocereus pruinosus) to its living ancestral species in Mexico's Tehuacán Valley. Genetic analysis reveals evidence of artificial selection, increasing genetic diversity among cacti grown using traditional methods.
Research reveals that carnivorous plants like sundews prioritize pollination over insect safety, with taller flowers attracting more visitors. A study of two sundew species found that longer stems increased flower visits by ten times compared to shorter ones.
Researchers discovered that Venus flytraps convert sugars into carbon dioxide and energy to power their traps, contradicting the idea of passive plants. The plants' digestive process provides a means to capture prey, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor environments.
A new study published in Rheumatology found that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and risk. The study, which involved over 1,800 patients, showed a significant inverse association between frequency of alcohol consumption and RA severity.
A recent study found that children with severe behavior disturbances had approximately double the risk of chronic widespread pain by age 45 compared to those without behavioral problems. The researchers believe a dysfunction in the interaction between the nervous system and hormones may have long-term consequences for adult health.
A new study published in Oxford Economic Papers reveals that ethnic minorities in Britain are better educated than their white peers, but face lower employment probabilities. The research shows significant wage disparities between British-born ethnic minority individuals and their white peers, particularly for men.
A new UK study found that delinquent boys are more likely to die or become disabled by age 48, with 16.3% experiencing this outcome compared to 2.6% of non-delinquent peers. Early antisocial behaviors and parental factors were linked to various health outcomes 40 years later.
A Sydney study finds that stranger homicides by people with schizophrenia are extremely rare and unpredictable events. The research suggests that providing earlier treatment for schizophrenia can prevent such tragic events.
A recent study found that cigarette packaging still contains misleading information about health hazards, with consumers incorrectly perceiving certain brands as safer. The researchers advocate for expanded regulations to remove such design elements and promote standardized packaging.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which nanoparticles cause lung damage, triggering programmed cell death through autophagy. They also found that blocking this process with an autophagy inhibitor can counteract the damage, providing a promising lead for developing safety strategies for nanotechnology.
Researchers have successfully created pig stem cells using somatic cells from pigs with hooves, opening doors to creating models for human genetic diseases and developing resistant pigs. The discovery has far-reaching implications for animal and human health.
Researchers found that wild spider monkeys regulate their daily protein intake similarly to humans, with a focus on maintaining a consistent level regardless of seasonal food availability. This pattern is linked to the development of obesity in humans and may have evolutionary origins dating back far older than previously thought.
Research shows that portrayals of alcohol in films and TV commercials immediately lead to increased drinking behavior. Participants who watched movies with prominent alcohol scenes drank an average of 1.5 bottles more than those who watched neutral ads.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that anxiety and depression before and during fertility treatment have no influence on cancellation rates or pregnancy success. The research involved 783 women and showed that levels of depression or anxiety did not predict pregnancy rates or cancellation rates.
Research suggests that exposure to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) may reduce women's fertility. Women with higher levels of PFOA and PFOS in their blood took longer to become pregnant than those with lower levels.
Researchers found that former athletes who experienced concussion during their early sporting life showed a decline in attention, memory, and motor function compared to those with no concussion. The study's findings suggest long-term effects of concussion on mental and physical processes.
A large prospective study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia found that the risk of permanent harm following a spinal anaesthetic or epidural is lower than 1 in 20,000. The study also revealed that the risk of being paralysed by an injection is 2-3 times rarer than suffering any permanent harm.
Researchers propose a hybrid cap-and-trade system with controlled permits to reduce emissions uncertainty. A second paper suggests a modified carbon tax to protect poorer households. The third paper highlights the flexibility of tradable permits in allocating emissions value.
A study of British men and women found that a high proportion are not using condoms when having sex with a new partner. Condom use is particularly low among people in their 30s and 40s with an age difference of five or more years.
A study published in Toxicological Sciences reveals a possible link between pet food contamination and baby formula contamination, with melamine and cyanuric acid identified as key contaminants. The research suggests that acidification of the urine may be a reasonable treatment option for victims.
Research found that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol and are physically active have a lower risk of death from heart disease than those who don’t drink or exercise. Moderate drinkers and regular exercisers had significantly lower risks compared to non-drinkers and inactive individuals.
A study of Vietnam war veterans with brain injuries found that those with higher intelligence and education levels before injury experienced a slower decline in cognitive functioning. The researchers also identified genetic markers associated with cognitive recovery or decline after head injury.
A study of 38,000 female health professionals found that women with hypertension have a three-fold risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with optimal blood pressure levels. Obesity is also a strong and independent risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that initially healthy siblings of a person with left main coronary artery disease are 2.5 times more likely to develop some form of heart disease than those without the condition. This highlights the importance of family screening and prevention strategies for individuals with a history of LMD.
General Practitioners (GPs) are still over-prescribing antibiotics for common infections like sore throats and sinusitis, hindering efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. The analysis of the world's largest primary care database found that prescriptions for these conditions rose to 80% despite guidance warnings.
Research published in the European Heart Journal reveals obese and very obese patients have a lower risk of dying after treated for heart attacks compared to normal-weight patients. After three years of follow-up, obese patients had less than half the long-term mortality rate as normal BMI patients.
The EU ETS has achieved its goal of limiting CO2 emissions and placed a price on carbon, with the value of traded volume estimated at €14.7 billion. A global framework for managing climate policy is required to address global greenhouse gas emissions.
Research shows that influenza epidemics are associated with a rise in deaths from heart disease and flu can trigger heart attacks. The study highlights the importance of increasing vaccination rates in people at risk of coronary heart disease.
A study found that using narrow-spectrum antibiotics and providing feedback to doctors led to a significant drop in prescriptions of broad-spectrum agents and a fall in CDI rates. The research suggests that this approach could be successfully replicated in other hospitals to reverse the rapid increase in CDI.
A study by researchers at New York University's Departments of Psychology found that the neural process for acquiring fears through social observation is similar to that of direct experience. The brain's amygdala plays a critical role in both processes, indicating that observing others' emotional states can evoke empathic responses and...
A new study published in the European Heart Journal has found that high-level endurance athletes with ventricular arrhythmias often have dysfunctional right ventricles. The research suggests that endurance exercise may contribute to changes in the heart that lead to dysfunction and heart rhythm disturbances.
Research reveals that alcoholics' brains can regain volume and function after six to seven weeks of abstinence, with increased levels of chemicals indicating nerve cell regeneration. Patients who abstain from drinking for longer periods show better performance in attention tests.
A survey of nearly 4,500 people found that 75% had experienced victimization and 64% had engaged in illegal or shady practices. The researchers argue that neo-liberal market reforms have fostered a culture of cynicism and selfishness, eroding traditional values such as the rule of law and trust in institutions.
A new study found that many primary care trusts in the UK are refusing to fund adequate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, despite NICE approval. The study revealed a postcode lottery, where funding and access to effective treatments like anti-TNF therapy vary widely across the country.
Researchers found that young children who receive musical training show distinct brain development and improved memory compared to untrained peers. After a year, musically trained children performed better in memory tests correlated with general intelligence skills.
The article highlights the need for effective regulation in markets, arguing that traditional command-and-control approaches are often ineffective. Dieter Helm suggests that market-based instruments like environmental taxes and trade permits can be more efficient and resistant to capture by vested interests.
Studies found that exercise reduced tumour development and improved survival in mice exposed to ultraviolet B light. Exercise also decreased body fat and enhanced programmed cell death in cancer cells. The studies suggest that voluntary exercise may protect against skin and bowel cancers, but more research is needed to confirm this.
The article assesses pension design and policy options, highlighting the importance of effective government and economic growth. Key findings include a problem in financing pensions but not a crisis, and mixed results from different countries' reform experiences.
A randomized controlled trial found that cannabis-based medicine (CBM) significantly improved pain on movement, pain at rest, quality of sleep, inflammation, and intensity of pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. CBM reduced pain scores by an average of 2-3 points across several measures.