Add BrightSurf on Google Email

'Apples-to-apples' analysis of Arab development yields fresh view

The study divides Arab countries into three categories and compares their population-weighted averages in health, educational attainment, and income with those of non-Arab nations. While Arab countries have made significant progress in areas such as life expectancy and education, they lag behind in democracy and women's labor-force par...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Economic Perspectives·DateSep 17, 2009

For abused women, leaving is a complex and confusing process

A new study finds that abused women experience a five-stage process of leaving, marked by boundary ambiguity, emotional disconnection, and preparation to leave. Women often struggle with clarity and connection once they've left, highlighting the need for support and understanding from social workers, friends, and family.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Family Theory & Review·DateJul 22, 2009

Siblings target of intervention program

A pilot prevention program targeting fifth graders and their younger siblings will receive funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The program combines family intervention with a non-stigmatizing focus on sibling relationships to decrease risky behavior and use of drugs among youth.

The science of hammering

A recent study by Dr. Duncan Irschick and colleagues found significant differences in hammering performance between men and women under varying light conditions. Men were more accurate when hammering in the dark, while women excelled in well-lit environments, regardless of target size.

Infant sleep patterns and parenting focus of study

The SIESTA II project aims to understand the role of parenting in infant sleep development, exploring how parents' emotional availability affects their child's sleep quality. The study will investigate how consistent bedtime rituals, parental support, and stress levels impact infant sleep habits.

A splice of life

A groundbreaking study at Brandeis University has shed light on a crucial step in the complex process of genetic encoding for the first time. The researchers report that they were able to crystallize a large complex of a macromolecular machine in the human cell and determine its structure, zeroing in on the process of RNA splicing.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2009

Palestinians lack basic human security

Threats to Palestinian life and well-being have intensified since 2000, including killings, injuries, and destruction of homes and properties. Access to basic services like fuel, electricity, water, and sanitation is disrupted by Israeli restrictions and military incursions.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 4, 2009

Yale researchers find 'junk DNA' may have triggered

Researchers identified a genetic contributor to fundamental morphological differences between humans and apes, finding that changes in 'junk DNA' activated genes in primordial thumb and big toe in developing mouse embryos. This study suggests non-coding regions of the genome play a crucial role in human development.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateSep 4, 2008

Promoting positive changes in youth -- even at-risk youth

The Miami Youth Development Project is a community-supported program that targets risky behaviors while promoting positive self-development. The research draws on Developmental Intervention Science, which aims to promote both short-term and long-term life course changes.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Adolescent Research·DateApr 18, 2008

Improving quality of life for indigenous peoples

A recent study published in BMC International Health and Human Rights found that the health and social conditions of indigenous peoples have improved faster than those of non-indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. However, the gap widened in Australia during the 1990s.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC International Health and Human Rights·DateDec 19, 2007

Evolutionary relevance of retinoic acid-induced craniofacial malformations

Researchers study retinoic acid-induced craniofacial malformations in mouse embryos to uncover the underlying mechanisms. They observe that these defects can transform into jaw apparatus structures resembling those found in other species, suggesting a common regulatory signaling mechanism governing jaw development across evolution.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 5, 2007

Antibody-based therapies effective at controlling malaria

Researchers have developed fully human antibodies that effectively control malaria in mice, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for the disease. The study's findings suggest that these novel reagents could be used as a test for therapeutic antibody efficacy and an important tool in malaria vaccine development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 17, 2007

Young people's development of attitudes about gender reflect family characteristics

A longitudinal study found that young people's gender attitudes develop in response to various factors, such as family composition, parental values, and sibling relationships. Most youth become less traditional over time, but certain groups, like first-born boys with brothers and traditional parents, exhibit more conservative attitudes.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 17, 2007

Parents can sneak veggies into kids' diet

A Penn State study found that decreasing calorie density of foods with added veggies leads to reduced calorie intake and increased veggie consumption in children. Parents can try this strategy to combat childhood obesity and encourage healthy eating habits.