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Music is universal

A comprehensive study by Harvard scientists found that music pervades social life in similar ways worldwide, with behaviors such as infant care, healing, dance, and love associated with specific musical features. The Natural History of Song database collected recordings from 315 societies and 5,000 song descriptions, revealing common p...

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateNov 21, 2019

County board of supervisors approves $170 million five-year annual funding for patient care and physician medical education at LAC+USC Medical Center

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year, $170 million annual funding agreement to provide patient care services and physician medical education at LAC+USC Medical Center. This historic partnership continues the institution's commitment to providing superior medical care to the Los Angeles County community.

Are testosterone-boosting supplements effective? Not likely, according to new research

Researchers reviewed 50 testosterone-boosting supplements and found that only a few had data to support their claims. Many supplements contained high doses of vitamins and minerals without any proven effects on testosterone levels. The study recommends more regulation around these supplements to protect consumers.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalWorld Journal of Gynecology & Womens Health·DateJun 26, 2019

UC Riverside study busts myths about gossip

A UC Riverside study challenges long-held assumptions about gossip, finding that younger people gossip more negatively than older adults, while extraverts gossip far more frequently than introverts. The study also reveals that women gossip more in neutral conversations with friends, contradicting popular 'best habits of the rich' books.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMay 3, 2019

Awareness is barrier to 'plastic-free periods'

A recent study by Anglia Ruskin University found that many women are shocked to discover the amount of plastic in commonly-used disposable menstrual products. The research suggests that raising awareness is key to changing behavior and encouraging the adoption of more sustainable alternatives, such as organic pads and reusable cloth pads.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalSustainability·DateJan 17, 2019

Keep it complex: Study shows that previous research oversimplified Schizophrenia symptoms

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry proposes a new classification system for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, moving away from the oversimplified two-category approach. This shift aims to improve treatment outcomes by providing more precise measures of symptom severity and guiding the development of targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateNov 27, 2018

Using microcredit to increase rice yield in Bangladesh

A study by Kyoto University found that microcredit programs in Bangladesh increased rice yield and overall crop farm income. Households also showed a higher adoption of hybrid and high-yield rice varieties. Additionally, there was a positive effect on cultivating owned land and livestock ownership.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateNov 26, 2018