http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/ethics/ Science and ethics. Read the latest scientific findings relating to ethics, bioethics, medical technology, abortion, suicide and more. en-us Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/ethics/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125159.htm For colon and other cancers, African-Americans have lower survival rates than whites. There has been a belief that racial disparity in survival following surgery for colon cancer was related to a high BMI and co-morbidity. A new study shows there must be some other explanation. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123212542.htm Typically conducted in richer, developed countries but now increasingly done in the developing world, genome wide association studies raise a host of ethical issues that must be addressed, experts argue. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123212542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083656.htm Seventy percent of U.K. households always separate their rubbish for recycling, but only 2 percent buy their energy on a green tariff, according to the early findings of a major new annual household survey. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145256.htm A new Web site allows users to explore differences in the probability of dying across European countries and the US states for men and women of different ages and races. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160837.htm Public health officials walking a tightrope between massive demand for vaccines and intense public scrutiny of side effects now have a new standard for evaluating the safety of their vaccination programs. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163214.htm Americans without health insurance appear more likely to die following admission to the hospital for trauma than those with health care coverage, according to a report. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094929.htm Monetary gain stimulates activity in the brain, Japanese researchers report. Even the mere possibility of receiving a reward is known to activate an area of the brain called the striatum. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030095515.htm A new study finds that heart failure patients willing to take part in clinical trials have a better prognosis than those unwilling to do so. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030095515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092045.htm An important, ground-breaking initiative is unfolding in the global critical care community in response to the H1N1 pandemic. While front-line health-care workers and infectious disease experts around the world are working round the clock to control, treat and prevent H1N1 infection, those who deal with the most severely ill patients -- physicians working in hospital intensive care units (ICUs) -- have joined forces to develop a more coordinated, long-term approach to H1N1. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105092611.htm Community-based education and awareness programs minimized the death toll from the recent Samoan tsunami, according to a team of researchers that traveled to Samoa last month. Funded by a National Science Foundation grant, the team collected data to document the impacts of the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that occurred on Sept. 29. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105092611.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029161809.htm Seven years ago, Russian Security Forces employed a secret incapacitating chemical weapon in their attempt to free 800 hostages held in a Moscow theatre by armed Chechen fighters. Over 120 hostages were killed by the incapacitant and many more continue to suffer long term health problems. Despite reports of further Russian research and use of incapacitants, the international community has refused to address the dangers of the development and proliferation of such weapons, according to a new report. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029161809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110090903.htm Last year, the United States provided asylum and resettlement assistance for nearly 80,700 people from other countries, an increase from 71,300 individuals in 2007, according to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Health experts say the increase has made issues of immigrant and refugee violence and the need for effective intervention strategies more apparent. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110090903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104123039.htm Racial discrimination is a major threat to African American women's mental health. It undermines their view of themselves as masters of their own life circumstances and makes them less psychologically resilient and more prone to depression, according to new findings. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104123039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105201443.htm Researchers have found that the discrepancy in media reporting of casualty numbers in the Iraq conflict can potentially misinform the public and contribute to distorted perceptions and gross underestimates of the number of civilians killed in the armed conflict. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105201443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104161902.htm Do pediatric oncologists feel that religion is a bridge or a barrier to their work? Or do they feel it can be either, depending on whether their patients are recovering or deteriorating? A novel study examines these questions in a new study. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104161902.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171415.htm Nearly half of all American children will reside in a household receiving food stamps at some point between the ages of 1 and 20, according to a new report. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171719.htm Chief executives in 35 of the top Fortune 500 companies were overpaid by about 129 times their "ideal salaries" in 2008, according to a new type of theoretical analysis proposed to determine fair CEO compensation. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111121547.htm Fair Trade labeling can work on a small scale, as a niche market. On the other hand, Fair Trade labels are not the right way to change the situation for the great majority of poor farmers. This is shown in the report What Does Fair Trade Labeling Achieve? from AgriFood Economics Centre, Lund University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111121547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104140820.htm Florists and other retailers who sell flowers are helped by a recent study designed to evaluate the differences in floral consumption across consumer groups. "Showing care to others" was found to be a very important value that strongly influenced flower purchases. Researchers also noted that those who bought flowers frequently (heavy users) are more emotionally stimulated by flowers, leading to them to look for more novelty and variety when purchasing flowers. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104140820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171611.htm Shoppers could see lower prices but less variety to choose from as more manufacturers sell directly to consumers through the Internet, according to new research. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171611.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028112751.htm Research in Spain reveals that schoolchildren see the victims as "passive persons and socially incompetent", and the abusers as "strong, brave and extrovert individuals." Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028112751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029102419.htm Lack of health insurance might have led or contributed to nearly 17,000 deaths among hospitalized children in the United States in the span of less than two decades, according to new research. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029102419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028142237.htm People who watch forensic and crime dramas on TV are more likely than nonviewers to have a distorted perception of America's criminal justice system, according to new research. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028142237.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152818.htm Psychologists have found that the more a person appears to suffer when tortured, the guiltier they are perceived to be. According to the researchers, those complicit with the torture need to justify the torture, and therefore link the victim's pain to blame. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026192909.htm Homeless and marginally housed people have much higher mortality and shorter life expectancy than could be expected on the basis of low income alone, concludes a study from Canada. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026192909.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161541.htm Legal counsel is a matter of life and death in Houston, but it is not necessarily tied to a defendant's socioeconomic status, according to new research. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027132418.htm Those in poverty in rural Oregon often know what kinds of foods they should be eating, but face tough choices between eating well and spending less money for meals. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027132418.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025091148.htm People are unconsciously fairer and more generous when they are in clean-smelling environments, according to new study. The research found a dramatic improvement in ethical behavior with just a few spritzes of citrus-scented Windex. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025091148.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020181301.htm Twenty years of screening for breast and prostate cancer -- the most diagnosed cancer for women and men -- have not brought the anticipated decline in deaths from these diseases, argue experts in an opinion piece. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020181301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115151.htm People with relatively extreme opinions may be more willing to publicly share their views than those with more moderate views, according to a new study. The key is that the extremists have to believe that more people share their views than actually do, the research found. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015091558.htm Engineers have developed a methodology to help meet Europe's objective of cutting road deaths by 50 percent between 2000 and 2010. The researchers have calculated the relevant amount for each country according to its starting point, and have done the same for each of the Spanish provinces. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015091558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094041.htm Physical therapists are calling for definitive vestibular screenings and assessment measures for US military service members with blast-induced traumatic brain injuries. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094041.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020203415.htm Irish Catholic names such as Patrick and Bridget almost died out among 19th century Irish immigrants in Britain due to fear of discrimination, a trend also seen among Irish immigrants in the US, according to new research. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020203415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122842.htm As the national conversation about health-care reform engages millions of Americans, a new study sheds light on the values of medical faculty who train the nation's physicians and lead in health care and research in the US. The study shows that faculty values correlate well with the stated missions of their institutions, but that in some instances, the institutions fall short of "practicing what they preach." Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094032.htm Contrary to what was previously assumed, being overweight is not increasing the overall death rate in the German population, according to new research. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133119.htm Americans think locally when they consider whether the loss of US troops overseas warrants troop withdrawals, a new nationwide study suggests. Researchers found that people were more likely to support withdrawing US troops from Iraq if one or more soldiers from their home state were killed there within the past two to three weeks. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012230456.htm Socially learned behavior and belief are much better candidates than genetics to explain the self-sacrificing behavior we see among strangers in societies, from soldiers to blood donors to those who contribute to food banks. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012230456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133111.htm As Congress debates the public health care option, a recent study reveals greater public support for reducing health care disparities among socio-economic groups (i.e. by income or education) than among racial groups. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921093653.htm New technologies may change our lives for the better, but sometimes they have risks. Communicating those benefits and risks to the public, and developing regulations to deal with them, can be difficult -- particularly if there's already public opposition to the technology. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921093653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101157.htm The world's largest quality of life study of chronic angina patients has revealed that almost one in three experience frequent chest pain, which affects their daily life. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012225546.htm Given sufficient training and support, nurses can safely and effectively prescribe antiretroviral therapy to patients with HIV, according to a Rwandan study. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012225546.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091011184430.htm Although a wide spectrum of human papillomavirus is seen across the population of India, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are the most common types and a vaccination targeting these types could eliminate 75 percent of the cervical cancers in the region, according to new data. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091011184430.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006201352.htm Hikers and backpackers tend to become supporters of environmental and conservation groups while casual woodland tourists do not, a new study says -- and a recent fall-off in strenuous outdoor endeavors portends a coming decline in the ranks of conservation backers. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006201352.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007124404.htm Medical tourism in Latin America needs to be regulated to protect consumers, according to researchers. A new study argues that Argentinean fertility clinics are increasingly marketing themselves to international health care consumers: these clinics offer all-inclusive packages with fixed prices that feature airfare, accommodations, transfers, language interpreters and, of course, fertility treatments. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007124404.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123041.htm Injury is the leading cause of death for children over the age of one in industrialized countries and improving the safety of artificial environments will benefit children's health, according to a new paper. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123041.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005102710.htm For most women, their "time of the month" is seen as a hindrance to daily life. In impoverished and developing countries, however, monthly periods are a major cause for concern. The lack of affordable, quality sanitary pads results in females missing up to 50 days of school annually -- thereby compromising their educational and professional potential. Researchers are helping to combat the problem by designing affordable pads made from natural, available materials that will allow for local production and sale. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005102710.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923132958.htm The anticipated onset of a second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of thorny medical ethics issues best considered well in advance, according bioethicists. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923132958.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132346.htm The devastation of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic is well known, but a new article suggests a surprising factor in the high death toll: the misuse of aspirin. AThe article sounds a cautionary note as present day concerns about the novel H1N1 virus run high. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132346.htm