http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/ A scientific view on science and society. Summaries of recent scientific research relating to an array of social issues. en-us Sat, 26 May 2012 14:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 May 2012 14:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524143448.htm Different languages refer to family relationships in different ways. For example, English speakers use two terms -- grandmother and grandfather -- to refer to grandparents, while Mandarin Chinese uses four terms. Many possible kinship categories, however, are never observed, which raises the question of why some kinship categories appear in the languages of the world but others do not. A new study shows that kinship categories across languages reflect general principles of communication. Thu, 24 May 2012 14:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524143448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123211.htm Biologists have found that male baboons that have a high rank within their society recover more quickly from injuries, and are less likely to become ill than other males. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123207.htm Researchers have found that detailed knowledge about your genetic makeup -- the interplay between genetic variants and other genetic variants, or between genetic variants and environmental risk factors -- may only change your estimated disease prediction risk for three common diseases by a few percentage points, which is typically not enough to make a difference in prevention or treatment plans. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123019.htm Biologists have presented the first evidence that areas closed to all fishing are helping to sustain valuable Australian fisheries. The scientists applied a forensic DNA profiling approach to track the dispersal pathways of fish larvae throughout a network of marine reserves on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123019.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524112346.htm Words charged with a positive emotional content are used more frequently, thus enhancing human communication. Thu, 24 May 2012 11:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524112346.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524112302.htm Recent surveys reveal an unprecedented number of young scallops in two fishery management areas off the mid-Atlantic coast. The results bode well for the continued success of the commercial fishery. Thu, 24 May 2012 11:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524112302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092930.htm Researchers have delved into a series of high profile court cases testing the limits of patent protection. Thu, 24 May 2012 09:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092930.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092926.htm Biologists have discovered that a small dose of a commonly used crop pesticide turns honey bees into "picky eaters" and affects their ability to recruit their nestmates to otherwise good sources of food. Thu, 24 May 2012 09:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092754.htm Researchers in Spain have developed a new analytical system that allows them to assess the gender gap in the adoption of information and communications technology (ICT). They have used their approach to publish a ranking of 31 European nations. Thu, 24 May 2012 09:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092754.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523170536.htm World experts on the effects of atomic radiation have agreed to start an assessment of the radiological impact of the events at the TEPCO (Fukushima-Daiichi) nuclear power plant following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Wed, 23 May 2012 17:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523170536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523161939.htm A new study by sociologists demonstrates how everyday "tax talk" is morally charged and how many Americans associate the income tax with a violation of the moral principle that hard work should be rewarded. Wed, 23 May 2012 16:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523161939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523135536.htm An individual's sense of right or wrong may change depending on their activities at the time -- and they may not be aware of their own shifting moral integrity -- according to a new study looking at why people make ethical or unethical decisions. Wed, 23 May 2012 13:55:55 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523135536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523103057.htm New research shows that the brain's visual perception system automatically and unconsciously guides decision-making through valence perception. The findings offer important insights into consumer behavior in ways that traditional consumer marketing focus groups cannot address. For example, asking individuals to react to package designs, ads or logos is ineffective. Instead, companies can use this type of brain science to more effectively assess how unconscious visual valence perception contributes to consumer behavior. Wed, 23 May 2012 10:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523103057.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522180700.htm Researchers have unveiled how and why the public perceives some magic tricks in recent studies that could have real-world implications in military tactics, marketing and sports. Tue, 22 May 2012 18:07:07 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522180700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522180622.htm Despite recent recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force, many people simply don't believe that the prostate-specific antigen test is ineffective. Even faced with overwhelming evidence, many activists and medical professionals are clamoring for men to continue receiving their annual PSA test. Why the disconnect? A new article examines the reasons why people are so reluctant to give up the PSA test. Tue, 22 May 2012 18:06:06 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522180622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522161403.htm Pavement deflection under vehicle tires makes for a continuous uphill drive that increases fuel consumption, new research shows. A new study by civil engineers at MIT shows that using stiffer pavements on the nation’s roads could reduce vehicle fuel consumption by as much as 3 percent — a savings that could add up to 273 million barrels of crude oil per year, or $15.6 billion at today’s oil prices. This would result in an accompanying annual decrease in CO2 emissions of 46.5 million metric tons. Tue, 22 May 2012 16:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522161403.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522152655.htm Rapid DNA sequencing may soon become a routine part of each individual's medical record, providing enormous information previously sequestered in the human genome's 3 billion nucleotide bases. Recent advances in sequencing technology using a tiny orifice known as a nanopore are covered in a new a article. Tue, 22 May 2012 15:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522152655.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522135305.htm Many of the wrongful convictions identified in a report this week hinged on a misidentified culprit -- now, scientific research reveals the paradox of reforms in eyewitness identification procedure. In our efforts to ensure good guys don't get locked up, we could let more bad guys go. Scholars in psychology and law debate aspects of eyewitness identification procedures, providing a scientific foundation for this important social issue. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522135305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134942.htm Western Europe has the worldwide highest risk of radioactive contamination caused by major reactor accidents. Catastrophic nuclear accidents such as the core meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima are more likely to happen than previously assumed. Based on the operating hours of all civil nuclear reactors and the number of nuclear meltdowns that have occurred, scientists have calculated that such events may occur once every 10 to 20 years (based on the current number of reactors) -- some 200 times more often than estimated in the past. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134942.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134824.htm While daily deal websites and flash sale websites offer a service or product at a discount to bring in new consumers and incentivize them to return, consumers are not coming back after the initial use, a marketing and technology researcher says. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134724.htm SpaceX’s launch to the International Space Station opens a new era in commercial spaceflight -- and raises questions about what laws govern private space companies and what legal obstacles affect future human space travel. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522115036.htm Conventional wisdom, backed by years of research, suggests that healthy marriages equals a healthy society. And politicians and government officials have taken note, investing millions of dollars each year in education programs designed to promote healthy marriages, focusing specifically on poor couples and couples of color. Is it working? No, says a researcher in a new article. Tue, 22 May 2012 11:50:50 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522115036.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522115030.htm Patient care nationwide may be affected when research on medications contain only 'good news' – especially when the research is industry-funded. Tue, 22 May 2012 11:50:50 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522115030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522110101.htm The ringing cell phone you're reaching to answer. The text message that demands a reply now. The GPS you're trying to program as you're frantically rushing to your destination. They're just a few activities -- among many -- that divert drivers' attention from the road and escalate their risk of having an accident. Tue, 22 May 2012 11:01:01 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522110101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521213645.htm Following a period for public comment, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released its final recommendation for prostate cancer screening. The Task Force now recommends against PSA-based screening for all men, regardless of age. Mon, 21 May 2012 21:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521213645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521163851.htm High-ranking male baboons recover more quickly from injuries and are less likely to become ill than other males, biologists have found. Mon, 21 May 2012 16:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521163851.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521132808.htm Timing can affect whether females and minorities experience discrimination -- says a new study. Emails were sent from fictional prospective doctoral students to 6,500 professors across 258 institutions, requesting a meeting either that day or next week. Prospective doctoral students with Caucasian male names were 26 percent more likely to be granted an appointment when requesting one for next week than those with names signaling that they were minorities or females. Mon, 21 May 2012 13:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521132808.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521115652.htm Advertisers spend time and money attempting to tailor advertising campaigns to the needs of different demographic groups. After all, the concerns of college students are going to be different from those of retired professionals. Even within a given demographic category, however, there are many individual differences that shape consumer behavior. A new study suggests that advertisements can be more effective when they are tailored to the unique personality profiles of potential consumers. Mon, 21 May 2012 11:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521115652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521115351.htm Researchers have found that green and white teas could hide abnormal levels of testosterone in athletes. Mon, 21 May 2012 11:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521115351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120520225051.htm Modern day soldiers who mutilate enemy corpses or take body-parts as trophies are usually thought to be suffering from the extreme stresses of battle. But, new research shows that this sort of misconduct has most often been carried out by fighters who viewed the enemy as racially different from themselves and used images of the hunt to describe their actions. Sun, 20 May 2012 22:50:50 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120520225051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132250.htm Placental stem cells with important therapeutic properties can be harvested in large quantities from the fetal side of human term placentas (called the chorion). The chorion is a part of the afterbirth and is normally discarded after delivery, but it contains stem cells of fetal origin that appear to be pluripotent -- i.e., they can differentiate into different types of human cells, such as lung, liver, or brain cells. Since these functional placental stem cells can be isolated from either fresh or frozen term human placentas, this implies that if each individual’s placenta is stored at birth instead of thrown away, these cells can be harvested in the future if therapeutic need arises. This potential represents a major breakthrough in the stem cell field. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518081149.htm Analysis of best-selling teen novels shows that readers come across seven instances of profanity per hour spent reading, and the characters who cuss are usually rich, beautiful and popular. Fri, 18 May 2012 08:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518081149.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517143631.htm Across history and cultures, religion increases trust within groups but also may increase conflict with other groups, according to a new analysis. Thu, 17 May 2012 14:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517143631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517115446.htm Contrary to recent scholarship and popular belief, parents experience greater levels of happiness and meaning in life than people without children, according to researchers. Parents also are happier during the day when they are caring for their children than during their other daily activities, the researchers found in a series of studies conducted in the United States and Canada. Thu, 17 May 2012 11:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517115446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516174238.htm In the United States, where blacks bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, black religious institutions could help turn the tide. In a new study based on dozens of interviews and focus groups with 38 of Philadelphia's most influential black religious leaders, physicians and public health researchers find that traditional barriers to preaching about HIV prevention could give way to faith-friendly messages about getting tested and staying on treatment. Wed, 16 May 2012 17:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516174238.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516173721.htm A new study suggests that head impacts experienced during contact sports such as football and hockey may worsen some college athletes’ ability to acquire new information. Wed, 16 May 2012 17:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516173721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152540.htm Returning extra medicine to the pharmacy for disposal might not be worth the extra time, money or greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study that is the first to look at the net effects of so-called take-back programs. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152536.htm People respond to facial cues and this affects their level of trust, according to a new study that looks at the way consumers react to morphed photo images. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152534.htm Although it is tempting to use the word "we" to make consumers feel like part of the family, people react negatively when brands overstep their boundaries, according to a new study. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152534.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152532.htm Why are men generally more reluctant to try vegetarian products? According to a new study consumers are influenced by a strong association of meat with masculinity. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516152532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516140115.htm Most consumers want to fit in while still asserting their individuality -- and they balance these conflicting desires when choosing products, according to a new study. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:01:01 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516140115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516120254.htm Text messaging is a surprisingly good way to get candid responses to sensitive questions, according to a new study. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516120254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516115903.htm Genes play a greater role in forming character traits -- such as self-control, decision making or sociability -- than was previously thought, new research suggests. Wed, 16 May 2012 11:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516115903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516092706.htm Children in the United States and Great Britain share a number of common risk factors that increase the likelihood that they will have behavioral problems —- and Britain’s broader social welfare programs don’t appear to mitigate those risks, according to a new study. Wed, 16 May 2012 09:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516092706.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515203023.htm Taxes on unhealthy food and drinks would need to be at least 20 percent to have a significant effect on diet-related conditions such as obesity and heart disease, say experts on bmj.com today. Ideally, this should be combined with subsidies on healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables, they add. Tue, 15 May 2012 20:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515203023.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515181256.htm A new study suggests that the guidelines governments use to determine when to evacuate people following a nuclear accident may be too conservative. Tue, 15 May 2012 18:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515181256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515165407.htm During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, changes in air pollution were associated with changes in biomarkers of systemic inflammation and thrombosis (formation of blood clot) as well as measures of cardiovascular physiology in healthy young persons, according to a new study. Tue, 15 May 2012 16:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515165407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515165324.htm The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the government's far-reaching health-care foreign aid program, has contributed to a significant decline in adult death rates from all causes in Africa, according to a new study. Tue, 15 May 2012 16:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515165324.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515131719.htm Perfume ads, beer billboards, movie posters: everywhere you look, women's sexualized bodies are on display. A new study finds that both men and women see images of sexy women's bodies as objects, while they see sexy-looking men as people. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515131719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515094134.htm Our decisions to trust people with our money are based more on how they look then how they behave, according to new research. Tue, 15 May 2012 09:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515094134.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515093915.htm Much like their male counterparts, female terrorists are likely to be educated, employed and native residents of the country where they commit a terrorist act, according to new research. Tue, 15 May 2012 09:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515093915.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515070353.htm Animal disease research concentrates too much on the behavior of micro organisms while ignoring the role played by human beings; we need to take more account of the human dimension if the work of scientists is to be translated effectively into policy, according to experts. Tue, 15 May 2012 07:03:03 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515070353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514152950.htm If the world's nations ever sign a treaty to limit emissions of climate-warming carbon dioxide gas, there may be a way to help verify compliance. Using measurements from only three carbon-dioxide (monitoring stations in the Salt Lake Valley, the method could reliably detect changes in CO₂ emissions of 15 percent or more, researchers report. Mon, 14 May 2012 15:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514152950.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514104945.htm Nearly one in five lower-income parents report costs forced their children to cut back on sports. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514104945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514104900.htm Research shows that street furniture, barriers, parks, public spaces and neighborhood architecture can stir up powerful emotions in local residents. This should be taken into account in programs designed to reduce tensions and foster community cohesion. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514104900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120513144628.htm The average US citizen is willing to pay 13 percent more for electricity in support of a national clean-energy standard, according to new research. Sun, 13 May 2012 14:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120513144628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120512144236.htm More than 75 percent of cardiac arrest victims are stricken too far away from an automated external defibrillator for the lifesaving device to be obtained quickly enough to offer the best chance at saving their lives, according to new research. Sat, 12 May 2012 14:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120512144236.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101251.htm New research into national education systems gives the first ranking of countries which are the ‘best’ at providing higher education. Fri, 11 May 2012 10:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101251.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510141909.htm A study conducted in Chile has found that the most important factor in reducing maternal mortality is the educational level of women. Thu, 10 May 2012 14:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510141909.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510141907.htm The No Child Left Behind Act has bolstered language test scores but done little to improve math and reading scores for students in rural Alabama schools, according to a new study. Thu, 10 May 2012 14:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510141907.htm