Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Survey shows engineers held in high esteem

A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that Americans hold engineers in high regard, with 77% of respondents believing they contribute to strong economic growth and national security. The survey also revealed that engineers are widely respected for their ability to make a positive contribution to society.

Culture of primate non-aggression

In a groundbreaking study, Robert Sapolsky and Lisa Share found evidence of a pacific culture among wild olive baboons in Kenya, where males became less aggressive after an outbreak of TB. This unique cultural tradition suggests that females may play a key role in regulating male behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 13, 2004

Reading the brain

Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity in children, adolescents and adults while reading simple words aloud, revealing differences in brain function across the lifespan. The study suggests that brain function during language tasks changes with development, potentially shedding light on language disorders.

The changing face of severe asthma

Research reveals distinct differences between severe asthma in children and adults, with males under 18 predominantly affected and females over 18. Children with severe asthma exhibit deceptively good lung function, challenging existing guidelines that may lead to undertreatment.

Study shows that forgiveness can be taught

A study on forgiveness methodology found a 70% decrease in feelings of hurt, 27% reduction in physical symptoms, and 34% increase in forgiveness for those who participated in the six-week training program. The research, led by Dr. Frederic Luskin, validates the effectiveness of this specific forgiveness approach.

Birth control for brain neurons

A molecule called nitric oxide is a natural regulator of new neurons in the adult brain. Blocking nitric oxide production stimulates neural stem cell proliferation, increasing brain neuron generation and contributing to the adult brain's architecture.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2003

Moms' high prenatal alcohol use triples childs' odds of having drinking-related problems at 21

A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry reveals that high prenatal alcohol use significantly increases the risk of a child developing drinking-related problems by age 21. The research found that 14% of young adults with prenatal exposure to five or more drinks per occasion had alcohol problems, compared to just 4.5% wit...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateApr 14, 2003

Inactive genes may contribute to failure of animals cloned from adult cells, study finds

Scientists identified 10 genes that function similarly to the Oct4 gene, essential for embryonic development. Inefficiently expressed genes in somatic cell-derived clones may contribute to their failure to survive. The study aims to improve cloning efficiency and yield vital information about disease and cell development.

ADHD in adults

Adults with ADHD are at higher risk of dropping out of school, losing jobs, and experiencing marital problems due to poor social skills and increased anxiety and depression. Reliable diagnosis and treatment options, such as stimulant medications and new psychotherapeutic approaches, can help manage the condition.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 17, 2003

Want hypertension? Hurry up!

A pioneering study found that time urgency and impatience during young adulthood are associated with increased risk of developing hypertension years later. The strongest link was seen among white men, who were more than three times as likely to develop high blood pressure as those in lower TUI groups.

Children's body mass index predicts overweight or obesity in adulthood

A study found that childhood body mass index (BMI) values are strongly linked to adult overweight or obesity. Younger children with higher BMI-for-age had a greater risk of becoming overweight as adults. The authors recommend monitoring children in the ≥ 85th percentile of BMI for age to prevent weight management issues.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 22, 2002

Teenage boys exposed to environmental pollutants

Research found that men exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) before age 20 had a lower chance of having a baby boy, with a 35% difference. The study's lead author proposes that dioxin-like compounds may negatively impact the viability of Y-chromosome carrying sperm or XY-fertilised eggs.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 11, 2002

UNC study: Americans getting obese earlier, ethnic groups put on weight at different rates

A new UNC study finds that Hispanic men become obese 2.5 times faster than U.S. men of European ancestry, while black women become obese more than twice as fast as white women. The study also shows that the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults doubled over 40 years, with 61% now classified as obese or overweight.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 17, 2002

What a difference a decade makes

Researchers found that children's brains show different activity patterns in left frontal and extrastriate cortex compared to adults. The study suggests that brain development continues into early school years, with some areas becoming more active in children.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateMay 23, 2002

New language learning linked to early language experience

A landmark study published in Nature reveals that deaf and hearing adults who experienced language in early life perform similarly well in learning a new language later in life. Deaf adults with little language experience show low levels of performance, whereas those with early experience demonstrate high proficiency.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2002

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for January (second issue)

A study of 63 young persons found that children who started wheezing between ages 2 to 5 were highly likely to continue wheezing in adulthood. Researchers also developed a brief questionnaire to predict future asthma-related healthcare utilization. Additionally, sleep disordered breathing was linked to obesity and craniofacial abnormal...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 24, 2002

Educational lag for premature infants persists into adulthood

A study of premature infants born in the late 1970s has found that they continue to face educational challenges into adulthood. The research, which followed 242 infants until age 20, found that fewer premature adults had graduated from high school and had lower I.Q. scores compared to their full-term peers.