A new study concludes that long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) offer no additional benefit to conventional preventative medications in children. LABAs, such as salmeterol and formoterol, can improve lung function but do not reduce asthma symptoms or hospital admissions.
SourceWiley·JournalEvidence-Based Child Health A Cochrane Review Journal·DateDec 9, 2008
A meta-analysis of decades-long experimental evidence reveals that modern day concentrations of ground level ozone pollution are decreasing tree growth in northern and temperate mid-latitudes. The study predicts a 17% reduction in tree growth by the end of the century if current fossil fuel dependence continues.
The 2008 financial crisis was a result of excessive risk-taking and lack of regulation, likened to the Tulip Mania of 1636. Experts recommend learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating them.
A literature review found that patients receiving coerced medication are more likely to have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or another psychotic disorder. The practice is often used in the UK and has been linked to negative feelings among patients.
A new prostate cancer drug, degarelix, has been shown to dramatically reduce testosterone levels in patients as early as three days after treatment. Compared to other treatments, degarelix also resulted in faster declines in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and fewer side effects such as urinary tract infections and joint pains.
Researchers found that 3-month-old infants can share attention with two partners simultaneously, indicating advanced 'triangular capacities'. This ability is linked to better coparental coordination and adjustment within families.
Research on stereotyping and workplace discrimination has sparked debate, with some studies finding biased decisions while others argue that methodological issues undermine findings. Despite disagreements, experts agree that organizations must take responsibility for reducing discrimination.
Research reveals juries are often less diverse than surrounding communities due to underrepresentation in key groups. This can lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. In contrast, diverse juries tend to have more thorough decision-making processes.
A recent study examines the role of monetary aggregates in monetary policy and finds that they are not a compelling reason for assigning a prominent role. Monetary aggregates can provide information about unobserved variables, but their relevance is limited.
A 25-year study on Welsh streams found that climate change hampers long-term recovery from acid rain effects. Despite improvements in acid levels, only four new insect species colonized the improving rivers, falling short of expected numbers.
African cities are experiencing rapid growth, transforming natural resource use and affecting rural areas. The main driver of deforestation is not fuel wood demand but rather agricultural land clearing in peri-urban areas to feed growing urban populations.
New research on Galapagos land iguanas reveals reduced genetic diversity in some populations, putting them at risk from future environmental changes. The study's findings highlight the need for effective management and conservation strategies to ensure the long-term survival of these unique reptiles.
Scientists have revised the timeline of cave bear extinction, dating it back 27,800 years. The new findings suggest a link between climate change and food supply loss, leading to the demise of these massive mammals. Researchers found no evidence of human involvement in their disappearance.
The presence of mineral oil in edible oils and foods exceeds recommended safety limits, raising concerns about human health. Analytical campaigns are underway to address this issue and provide toxicological data for improved safety evaluation.
A new study found that African American adolescent girls whose mothers used psychological control, such as guilt trips and withdrawn affection, reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. In contrast, boys showed no such effect. The researchers suggest a need for parents to strike a balance between giving children autonomy and guidi...
A study by Sarah Kendig and Suzanne Bianchi found that single mothers spend less time with their children than married mothers. However, if single mothers had similar levels of education and employment as married mothers, they would spend the same amount of time with their children.
A three-country study found that women taking fluoxetine during pregnancy gave birth to four times as many babies with heart problems, while those taking paroxetine had three times higher levels. Smoking over ten cigarettes a day was associated with a five-fold increase in major heart problems.
Researchers found that differences between pre-K reading-disabled children and their peers diminished by pre-first grade, except for phonological awareness. Phonological awareness skills distinguished the groups at Pre-K and Pre-1, suggesting this skill is a strong predictor of reading disability.
A study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly found that employees who were sexually harassed reported lower levels of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and job performance. The study analyzed data from 89,382 people and found that younger employees were more affected by sexual harassment.
The study examines the meaning of employee engagement, which involves positive feelings about the job and motivation. The authors conclude that employers must create conditions that respect employees' energy and facilitate engagement through fair treatment, creating a feeling of trust and safety.
A study published in Personnel Psychology reveals that executives' underwater stock option portfolios are more likely to lead to voluntary turnover. Increasing the value of these portfolios can reduce the odds of turnover by substantially, suggesting that firms may need to consider alternative retention strategies.
A team of scientists has developed a new material for anodes that can store more lithium ions than graphite, leading to improved battery performance. The highly porous silicon structure allows for rapid charging and discharging, enabling devices like mobile phones and laptops to run for longer periods.
A recent study compared two gastric bypass techniques for severe obesity, finding that proximal bypass resulted in greater weight loss and fewer complications. The distal technique had some advantages but also more drawbacks, leading the surgical team to adopt proximal bypass as their first choice.
Researchers found that small habitat patches, when connected in a network, can support species requiring larger habitats and facilitate movement between patches. This approach offers a promising tool for preserving ecological functions in fragmented landscapes.
Reagan's presidency is assessed under eight headings of public concern: welfare state, taxation, national security, the presidency, personnel, party politics, political leadership, and the person. Despite his impact on tax rates and national security, Reagan's legacy is complicated by concerns over big government and executive power.
A belief in luck was not sufficient to entice consumers to a lucky draw over other sales strategies, according to researchers Gerard Prendergast and Edmund Thompson. Consumers who personally feel lucky are more likely to participate in lucky draws.
A new study reveals proposed FDA regulation fails to address migrant worker suffering, smoking prevalence, or outsourcing of leaf production. The regulation may favor big tobacco by reducing liability and sustaining global operations.
Fiddler crabs grow weak and puny 'cheap' claws that deceive rivals about their fighting ability, highlighting the widespread nature of dishonesty in animal communication. The study sheds light on how animals like fiddler crabs bluff their way to survival and reproductive success.
Using genetically diverse seed sources can improve revegetation outcomes for native flora, as local seed may be inbred and lead to poor results. The review recommends focusing on capturing high-quality seed to ensure restored populations have ample genetic diversity.
A new study finds that the US executive branch is the primary force driving foreign policy towards Israel, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The policies engaged by the US tend to be reciprocal, rewarding favorable behaviors and punishing unfavorable ones.
Teacher qualifications are more equally distributed across New York City public schools, with stronger teachers in low-income schools, leading to modest improvements in student math achievement. Recruiting more qualified teachers is recommended to further enhance teaching quality.
A study of over 200 cancer patients found that age was not a significant factor in survival rates. Instead, factors like physical quality of life and metastatic dissemination played a crucial role. The findings suggest that older patients should not be excluded from clinical trials due to their age.
A new study found that family dynamics mediate the relationship between gender and mental health issues for African-American court-involved youth. Both girls and boys showed similar levels of externalizing and internalizing behavior once family dysfunction was taken into account.
A new study found that serial cohabiters are less likely than single-instance cohabiting unions to result in marriage. Serial cohabiters who married had even higher divorce rates compared to those who cohabited only once, with over twice the rate of women who cohabited with their eventual husbands.
Researchers found that teenage girls are more aware of the complexities of relationships and see their partner's point of view, while boys often use aggressive language and pressure girls into sex. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to address alcohol use and promote healthy attitudes towards sex education.
Researchers used MRI scans to detect gray matter damage in MS patients, finding that unnatural darkness was linked to higher risk of disability progression. This new marker shows closer correlations with clinical status than other established markers.
A new study reveals that therapy targeting cyclin D1 can block the expansion of breast cancer cells, which are involved in therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. The findings provide a potential new treatment approach for targeted therapies at cancer stem cells in humans.
Medication overuse headaches (MOH) are associated with severe disability and unmet treatment needs. Recent research suggests that treatments developed to prevent migraine may be effective in patients with MOH before withdrawal, pointing to the need for clinical trials to re-evaluate current strategies.
Scientists discovered bacteria in Vetiver grass roots that enhance essential oil production while altering molecular structure. The bacteria change the oil's properties to include insecticidal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant characteristics.
Research suggests a shared metabolic pathway between vitamins E and K may cause interaction, diminishing vitamin K levels as vitamin E increases. The Women's Health Study found 24% fewer deaths from heart disease in women taking 600 IU vitamin E supplements.
A new study explores how men and women perceive online and offline sexual and emotional infidelity, finding that men felt sexual infidelity was more upsetting and women felt emotional infidelity was more upsetting. The results also reveal differences in beliefs about sex and love between men and women.
Israelis have lost faith in teaching Arabs to accept their state and envisioning coexistence, while Arabs and Muslims no longer see Israel as capable of living in peace with them. This shift has led to cycles of violence, demoralization, and migration, casting doubt on Israel's future
A study found that households in California reduced their electricity use by 13% when prices rose, but returned to previous levels once prices fell. Public informational campaigns also played a significant role in conserving energy, with households reducing their use by an additional 7%.
Researchers convert olive stones into bioethanol using low-cost, eco-friendly process. Yields of 5.7kg ethanol per 100kg of olive stones reached in study published in Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology.
A study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that conventional photos of smiling, clean children are less effective at aiding the search for missing kids. The researchers suggest showing both 'clean' and 'dirty' pictures to increase recognition chances.
Researchers have created reliable nanopatterns of a spin-transition compound on silicon oxide chips, paving the way for new molecular storage media. The development uses special unconventional micro- and nanolithographic techniques to print neutral iron(II) complexes onto silicon wafers in the form of fine lines.
Women who are overweight and obese often struggle to access healthcare due to stigma and inadequate facilities. They report feeling uncomfortable, dismissed, and stigmatized by healthcare staff, which can lead to delayed or avoided care.
The study found that firms with powerful marketing departments adopted the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard in response to customer and competitor pressures. In contrast, firms with powerful legal departments were more likely to adopt government-initiated voluntary programs in response to regulator and NGO pressure.
Community-based organizations are developing Local Access to Care Programs (LACPs) to provide low-cost healthcare access to growing numbers of uninsured adults. The programs build on county-based care traditions, offering discounted fees or free care from network providers.
Research suggests that civic education can mitigate poorly informed and disengaged American citizens. Eamonn Callan argues for 'rational social hope' in which teachers promote civic virtue through relevant information and understanding.
SourceWiley·JournalYearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education·DateOct 23, 2008