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New model for autism suggests women carry the disorder and explains age as a risk factor

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory propose a new model for understanding how autism is acquired, suggesting that spontaneous germ-line mutation is a significant cause. This mutation can be carried by women without severe symptoms and passed on to their children, increasing the risk of sons developing autism.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2007

E-shop till you drop

A research team used Data Envelopment Analysis to evaluate the success of internet shops, finding that efficient websites like Jcrew and Abercrombie can serve as role models for less effective sites. By reducing inputs or increasing outputs, these non-efficient sites can improve their performance and competitiveness.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Business·DateJul 13, 2007

Death rates will rise because of global warming

An analysis of US city-specific weather data reveals that global warming will lead to more deaths in summer due to extreme temperatures. Deaths from all causes are known to rise when temperatures go up, and heart attacks and cardiac arrests are more likely when it is very cold.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJul 2, 2007

Research probes seniors' plans for end-of-life care

A study by Deborah Carr and Dmitry Khodyakov found that education, religious beliefs, and personal experiences with loss are key factors in seniors' decisions to appoint a healthcare proxy. Most people choose a spouse or child as their proxy, but there are also idiosyncratic responses among those outside traditional relationships.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateJun 6, 2007

Smoking indicator of alcohol misuse

A study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that cigarette smoking status can be used as a clinical indicator for alcohol misuse, which presents an opportunity for intervention. Non-daily smokers are five times more likely to have a problem with alcohol compared to people who have never smoked.

SourceYale University·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateApr 18, 2007

Female chimps keep the bullies at bay

A study by Akiko Matsumoto-Oda found that female chimpanzees do not synchronize their reproductive activities, reducing opportunities for less-desirable males to coerce them into mating. This strategy allows females to mate with higher-ranking males who possess desirable social and physical characteristics.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMar 7, 2007

Contraceptives and the poor; plus new findings on cryptococcosis

Researchers found that the poorest people in developing countries are least likely to use contraception, with significant regional variations. The authors emphasize the need for governments and international health organizations to focus on providing contraceptive services to those with very low incomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 5, 2007

Blacks less likely to recognize overweight and obesity, study shows

A recent study found that black Americans are less likely to recognize their own overweight or obese status compared to white Americans, despite having higher rates of excess weight. The research suggests that this misperception can have significant health consequences, including increased risk of diabetes and premature death.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateDec 5, 2006

End-of-life care can be improved

A recent supplement to Critical Care Medicine outlines progress made in end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICU), with a focus on palliative care, quality indicators, and family communication. The study suggests that improving end-of-life care in ICUs can lead to better patient outcomes and reduced suffering.

SourceSociety of Critical Care Medicine·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateNov 1, 2006

First global study of sexual behavior

The first global analysis of sexual behavior data found that monogamy is the dominant pattern worldwide, and developed nations report high rates of multiple partnerships. Despite this, adolescents have high rates of unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and STIs.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 31, 2006

Greenland ice sheet on a downward slide

Researchers use novel technique to analyze regional changes in Greenland's massive ice sheet, finding dramatic losses concentrated in coastal regions. The study shows an annual net loss of ice equal to nearly six years of average water flow from the Colorado River, with 20% more mass lost than received from new snowfall each year.

Stroke symptoms common among general population

A large national study found that 18 percent of adults without a history of stroke report having had at least one symptom. Brief physical examinations revealed undiagnosed or silent strokes in many individuals. African Americans and those with lower incomes were more likely to have had these symptoms.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateOct 9, 2006

Thrombosis in children with leukaemia

A recent study has found that thrombotic complications occur in 5.2% of children with leukaemia, with the highest risk during antileukaemic therapy induction phase. The researchers have identified several factors associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and explored the role of genetic determinants.

Illicit trade led to modern globalization

A study by Emily Erikson and Peter Bearman found that private trade using company resources in the East India Trading Company contributed to the emergence of modern capitalist markets. The researchers analyzed data from 4,572 voyages between 1601 and 1833, revealing how captains and seamen used their cargo holds to sustain illicit trad...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateJul 17, 2006

Filling the gap in homeland security

The article highlights the importance of adaptive management in homeland security, emphasizing the need for collaborative planning, adaptability, and effective communication among stakeholders. It is based on a study that explores how professionals can work across boundaries to address unanticipated problems.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPublic Administration Review·DateJun 13, 2006