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Need something? Talk to my right ear!

Researchers found that people prefer to be addressed in their right ear and are more likely to perform a task when receiving a request there. In noisy night club environments, the side bias was consistently displayed, with 72% of interactions occurring on the right side.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateJun 23, 2009

What about the boys?

A new study published in Springer's journal Gender Issues highlights the significant problems faced by American boys, including lower literacy levels, higher drop-out rates, and increased rates of mental health issues. The research suggests that policy makers have largely neglected these issues, focusing instead on those affecting girls.

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateJun 8, 2009

Single women gaze longer

Researchers found that single women spend more time evaluating photos of men than those with partners. The study suggests that women's reproductive strategies may influence their interest in potential partners.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateJun 3, 2009

New infectious diseases -- what's the risk?

People take precautions when aware of risk and believe effective actions are available; accurate communication is key to prevent mass scares. The journal review highlights the importance of risk perception in health behavior theories.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine·DateMay 19, 2009

Double trouble for water life

Excess phosphorus and nitrogen from human activities harm aquatic life and ecosystems; a dual nutrient strategy is needed to tackle both issues. The study highlights the need to consider the entire freshwater-marine continuum for effective nutrient control.

SourceSpringer·JournalEstuaries and Coasts·DateMay 18, 2009

Research finds kava safe and effective

Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that a traditional kava extract is an effective treatment option for chronic anxiety and depression. The study found significant reductions in anxiety levels among participants taking kava tablets, with improvements also seen in depression.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateMay 11, 2009

A bright future with solar lanterns for India's poor

The study found that solar lanterns significantly reduced kerosene and electricity costs, with annual savings ranging from $150 to $250. Solar lanterns also improved household work efficiency for women and increased school hours for children, benefiting rural Indian communities.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateApr 27, 2009

Witnessing violence affects kids' health

Exposure to community violence in school-aged children disrupts their normal cortisol production pattern, leading to physiological symptoms and potential long-term negative health effects. The study found a link between stress symptoms and cortisol levels, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to monitor these children's health.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine·DateApr 21, 2009

Feather color is more than skin deep

Researchers found carotenoids produced in the liver of Common Crossbills, contradicting previous assumptions about skin synthesis. The discovery highlights inter-specific variation in mechanisms of color production, shedding light on evolutionary pathways involved in color signaling.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateApr 15, 2009

Eat, drink and be merry?

Research finds that fast food and soft drinks contribute to childhood obesity, but paradoxically also reduce unhappiness. The study highlights the need for policies and programs that balance children's physical health with their emotional well-being.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateApr 14, 2009

3-year-olds get the point

Research reveals that 3-year-olds, dogs, and young children share similar social environments, leading to comparable understanding of human gestures. 3-year-olds rely on the index finger's direction to locate hidden objects, while 2-year-olds and dogs respond to protruding body parts.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateApr 6, 2009

Parents' sexuality influences adoption choices

A study published in Springer's Sex Roles journal found that gay men are more likely to prefer adopting a boy, while heterosexual men are the least likely. Heterosexual couples tend to prefer girls over boys, with reasons varying by sexuality, including patriarchal norms and perceived socialization challenges.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateApr 2, 2009

Love at first aria

Researchers discover that opera fans learn to appreciate the art form by forming emotional connections and decoding its meaning. Through social interaction and personal experience, fans develop a deeper understanding of opera's nuances, ultimately becoming passionate advocates for the art.

SourceSpringer·JournalQualitative Sociology·DateMar 17, 2009

Obese women play cancer roulette

Research finds that obese women, especially white ones, are less likely to have undergone a recent mammography compared to normal weight women. The study highlights poor self-esteem, body image issues, and racial disparities in obesity-related body image as reasons for the disparity.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 16, 2009

Survey explores medical care for children with autism using complementary alternative medicine

A national survey found primary care physicians are more likely to inquire about complementary alternative medicine (CAM) use in children with autism. The study also revealed a desire for specific CAM education tailored to this population. CAM therapies have become increasingly common among children with autism, highlighting the need f...

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateMar 12, 2009

Does humor on the Internet mold political thinking?

A study on humor in geopolitics found that disposition theory helps understand who finds certain content funny and how it shapes global worldviews. The analysis of comedian Jeff Dunham's skits on Achmed the Dead Terrorist reveals the impact of internet communication technologies on humor dissemination.

SourceSpringer·JournalGeoJournal·DateMar 11, 2009

Is the Dead Sea dying?

The Dead Sea's water levels are decreasing at an accelerated rate, primarily caused by increased human water consumption from the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers. The study suggests that desalination of seawater or construction of new channels could help slow down the receding water levels.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateMar 4, 2009

The 2 worlds of kids' morals

Research reveals marked gender and race differences in children's moral behaviors, both in the real and virtual worlds. African American children were more likely to view morally questionable virtual behaviors as acceptable when they benefited individual goals.

College-level documents for 8th grade readers

A study analyzing 240 hospital documents found they have an average readability level of a college junior, exceeding the reading capacity of most patients. The use of complex language in Patients' Bill of Rights laws may be obstructing progress towards patient autonomy.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2009

Inuit are on the right track

The Inuit's vast geographic knowledge has been transmitted through generations by oral means, without written documentation. Their trails represent a sophisticated network of routes connecting communities across the Canadian Arctic.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateFeb 4, 2009

Springer textbook receives prestigious award

The Springer textbook has been recognized for its comprehensiveness and uniqueness in covering stratosphere-troposphere interactions. It provides information on various physical processes involved in the coupling between the two layers of the atmosphere.

Biofuels ignite food crisis debate

A study published in Human Ecology highlights the problems linked to converting crops into biofuels, including inefficiency, economic costs, and environmental degradation. The research reveals a negative energy return for many biofuel sources, making them less productive than projected.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateJan 28, 2009

Springer strengthens its publishing position in Asia

Springer has partnered with Education Research Institutes in Seoul and Taiwan to publish the Asia Pacific Education Review journal, further expanding its education research portfolio. The partnership aims to enhance the journal's reputation and make it available to a worldwide audience.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Science and Mathematics Education·DateJan 27, 2009

Caution: Lose more than weight with imported diet pills

Researchers found that these diet pills contain a range of addictive substances, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and diuretics. Physicians are advised to be aware of the dangers of these imported diet pills, which can cause serious side effects such as chest pains, palpitations, and insomnia.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 26, 2009

Microbes fuel energy debate

Researchers focus on microbes fermenting lignocellulosic biomass to produce bioethanol and biodiesel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuel production requires a major effort in biochemical engineering to scale up and make it cost-effective.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology·DateJan 22, 2009

Race and gender determine how politicians speak

Researchers found that politicians' speech patterns reveal a social hierarchy, with black race and female gender assigned subordinate roles, while white males dominate. This study highlights the reproduction of racism and sexism in political discourse, affecting how leaders are perceived.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Psycholinguistic Research·DateJan 13, 2009

Spirituality is key to kids' happiness

A new study published in Springer's Journal of Happiness Studies found that children who develop a strong sense of personal worth and deep relationships, measures of spirituality, are happier. The study suggests that strategies like expressing kindness and volunteering may help increase happiness in children.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateJan 8, 2009

Turning over a new leaf for future energy supplies

German scientists suggest biomass as a major source of energy, meeting global demand sustainably and economically. Afforestation on degraded land can produce enough biomass to replace fossil fuels, reducing CO2 emissions.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateDec 15, 2008

WHO tool helps target bone treatment

A new method for determining osteoporosis treatment targets has been developed using the WHO's fracture risk assessment tool, FRAX¹. This approach considers both fracture risk and cost-effectiveness to provide more accurate and targeted treatment.

SourceSpringer·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateDec 3, 2008

Oetzi's last supper

A 5,200-year-old study of the Tyrolean Iceman's intestinal contents identifies six different mosses, suggesting he may have traveled, injured himself, and dressed wounds. The findings provide insights into his lifestyle and events leading up to his death.

SourceSpringer·JournalVegetation History and Archaeobotany·DateDec 1, 2008

TV: Not the only channel to early sex

A study of 273 adolescents found that those who had early sex were more likely to have lower academic achievement, depression, ADHD, and ODD. Parents' positive influence was also shown to reduce risky sexual behavior during adolescence.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateNov 24, 2008

Springer launches Food Security

The new journal covers the principles and practice of food security, analyzing it from various disciplines. It aims to define constraints preventing one billion people from accessing adequate nutrition and address means to overcome them.

SourceSpringer·JournalFood Security·DateNov 24, 2008

Osteoporosis care at risk in the United States

Medicare's funding cut for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may discontinue critical health services for osteoporosis patients. The test is essential for identifying those at risk and monitoring bone health, potentially leading to increased fractures and costs.

SourceSpringer·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateNov 12, 2008

International Journal of Social Robotics debuts at Springer

The International Journal of Social Robotics will cover a broad array of topics related to socially interactive robots, including design philosophies, human-robot interaction, and neurorobotics. The journal aims to provide an overview of the current state of the field and its impact on society.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Social Robotics·DateNov 10, 2008

Hip resurfacing is not for everyone

A Rush University Medical Center study of over 500 hip resurfacing surgeries reveals that complications occur more frequently in women of all ages and men over 55. The most common complication was a fracture of the femoral neck.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateNov 4, 2008

Adult crime linked to childhood anxiety

A recent study published in Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that childhood anxiety and nervousness can protect young men from committing crimes until they turn 21. However, after this age, these traits no longer provide protection, and individuals are more likely to engage in criminal behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateNov 3, 2008

Fertilizers -- a growing threat to sea life

A new study by Professor Grace Brush highlights the negative impact of fertilizer use on water quality and fish populations in Chesapeake Bay. The imbalanced nitrogen cycle has led to eutrophication, reducing oxygen concentrations and affecting aquatic life.

SourceSpringer·JournalEstuaries and Coasts·DateOct 21, 2008

New hope for the red squirrel

Researchers have identified eight free-living red squirrels that are immune to the squirrelpox viral disease, a significant finding in the struggle to save the species from extinction. The discovery suggests that immunity to the virus could give red squirrels an edge against grey squirrels, which harbor the virus but are immune.

SourceSpringer·JournalEcoHealth·DateOct 16, 2008

Doctors bone up on orthopaedics through wiki project

A new study shows that web-based academic discussions are a cost-effective and effective method of continuing medical education for orthopaedic surgeons. The interactive Orthochina.org wiki project, launched in 1998, allows professionals to share real patient cases and engage in collaborative discussions.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateSep 29, 2008

Car fronts at face value

Researchers found that people associate specific traits with car designs, such as power, dominance, and masculinity. They also agreed on which car types possess these characteristics, including wide stances, narrow windshields, and spaced headlights.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateSep 22, 2008

Carrots and sticks to promote a healthy lifestyle?

A survey of 515 patients found they were split almost 50/50 on the effectiveness of 'pay for performance for patients' schemes. Smokers and obese individuals thought paying for lifestyle changes was a good idea, citing lower healthcare costs and increased motivation.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 16, 2008

Scavenger birds chew the fat

A study found that bearded vultures choose bones with the highest fat content for their consumption and delivery to their young. This finding has significant implications for conservation efforts, as it suggests that providing the most nutritious bones in feeding programs can aid in the expansion and breeding of this endangered species.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateSep 8, 2008

Potential remedy for the 'mental fog' in cancer patients

Researchers discovered that injections of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can prevent memory loss induced by breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. The study, published in the Springer journal Metabolic Brain Disease, suggests a potential remedy for chemobrain symptoms, which affect up to 40% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

SourceSpringer·JournalMetabolic Brain Disease·DateSep 4, 2008