http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/social_issues/ Social issues news. Read summaries of the latest scientific research pertaining to a range of social issues. en-us Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:05:01 EST Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/social_issues/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. 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/2009/11/091123152224.htm Using historical data on the relationship between temperature and conflict in Africa, researchers have estimated the effect of rising temperatures due to global warming. They concluded that the incidence of African civil war could increase 55 percent by 2030, resulting in an additional 390,000 battle deaths if future wars are as deadly as recent ones. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123152224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119141219.htm As media researchers search for better methods to reach audiences, a new study has found that highlighting racial disparities in news releases increases coverage of health stories in black newspapers, which can improve health outcomes in populations at-risk for disparities. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119141219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083259.htm A study of more than 250 African-American youths from urban, low-income families examined the unique effects of racial identity and self esteem on mental health. Findings reveal that when young people's feelings of ethnic pride rose between 7th and 8th grades, their mental health also improved over that period, regardless of their self-esteem. The researchers also found that racial identity was a stronger buffer against symptoms of depression for boys than for girls. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094503.htm One in four Australian adults has taken an action that puts their health at risk as a result of the global financial crisis (GFC), according to a new poll. The results show that lack of job security was particularly hard on families, with almost one in five parents turning up to work ill and close to one in 10 parents sending sick children to school. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094503.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm A study of more than 120 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse US elementary school children shows that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early and that those biases can be damaging. Specifically, the study illustrates that when children become aware of bias about their own racial or ethnic group, it can affect how they respond to everyday situations, ranging from interacting with others to taking tests. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.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/2009/11/091105121044.htm As health insurers require people to base more treatment decisions on out-of-pocket costs, physicians should learn to talk to patients about money, according to researchers. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121044.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/2009/11/091111121547.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/2009/11/091101132530.htm The intervals between lung cancer suspicion, diagnosis and treatment may be attributed to health care system discrepancies, according to new research. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091101132530.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/2009/10/091027132418.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/2009/10/091026125144.htm Emergency response plans must include knowledge from the people who need to be protected if these plans are to help communities respond effectively to threats, argue researchers in a new editorial. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026125144.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/2009/10/091005210334.htm HIV prevalence among African Americans is ten times greater than the prevalence among whites. This racial disparity in HIV prevalence has persisted in the face of both governmental and private actions, involving many billions of dollars, to combat HIV. In a new study, researchers examine factors responsible for the stark racial disparities in HIV infection in the U.S. and the now concentrated epidemic among African Americans. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005210334.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/2009/10/091008113306.htm Workers acknowledge gender discrimination is possible in modern organizations, but at the same time maintain their workplaces to be gender neutral, a new study shows. "Gender fatigue", the author notes, is the cause for workers not acknowledging that bias against women can occur. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008113306.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006155858.htm Water scarcity as a result of climate change will create far-reaching global security concerns, says Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, chair of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, at the 2009 Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., on Oct. 6, 2009. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006155858.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/2009/10/091001095603.htm Both household food insecurity and childhood overweight are significant problems in the United States. Paradoxically, being food-insecure may be an underlying contributor to being overweight. A study of almost 8,500 low-income children ages 1 month to 5 years suggests an association between household food insecurity and overweight prevalence in this low-income population. However, sex and age appear to modify both the magnitude and direction of the association. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001095603.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124741.htm Racial segregation in the schools is fueling the learning disparity between young black and white children, while out-of-school factors are more important to the growth of social class gaps, according to a new study. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124741.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092658.htm New research offers important insights into the long-term impact of a major disaster on routine surgical services in a hospital. In the study, researchers showed that although Hurricane Katrina resulted in a significant loss of surgical staff and an increase in the number of uninsured patients undergoing operations, greater cost efficiencies were achieved. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092658.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928201843.htm In a new paper, researchers discuss the scientific and ethical issues associated with choosing clinical trial designs when there is no consensus on what constitutes usual care. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928201843.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924231749.htm Children who are spanked have lower IQs worldwide, including in the United States, according to groundbreaking new research. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924231749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091833.htm A new report by leading food and sustainability scientists calls for Europe to take a new approach on food security, prioritizing health and sustainability in research and using a holistic view when making policy. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173341.htm Consumer spending will lag rather than lead the recovery from the current recession, according to one economist. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914111528.htm The impact of hate crime is deep and widespread, says new research. Important new research by criminologists challenges existing stereotypes about the nature and impact of hate crime offending. While the term ‘hate crime’ conjures up images of violent acts committed by hate-fuelled extremists, the research suggests that many hate crimes are in fact lower-level forms of harassment committed by so-called ‘normal’ people who may not necessarily ‘hate’ their victim. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914111528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910114143.htm When a terrorist bomb explodes, a tornado rips through a town, a hurricane devastates a region, or wildfires ravage homes and businesses, plastic surgeons are not typically atop the list of emergency responders. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910114143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142345.htm There is more to life satisfaction than money, and public policy programs aiming to tackle poverty need to move beyond simply raising people’s income to also improving their quality of life in other areas, according to a new study. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903163550.htm Rewards go further than punishment in building human cooperation and benefiting the common good, according to new research. While previous studies have focused almost exclusively on punishment for promoting public cooperation, here rewards are shown to be much more successful. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903163550.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904103525.htm Homicide rates are closely linked to the form of political economy that runs a nation, according to a new study. Researchers claim that homicide rates are significantly higher in nations in neo-liberal politics where free market forces are allowed free rein, such as the USA, but are significantly lower in nations governed by social-democratic policies which still characterize most Western European nations. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904103525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082858.htm Fears that medical research using tissue such as blood or material from biopsies would be obstructed by the UK Human Tissue Act 2004 may have been unfounded, a new study reveals. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826191841.htm Disclosure of financial conflicts of interests to potential participants in research is important, but may have a limited role in managing these conflicts, according to a new study. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826191841.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824115809.htm Findings from a national survey of Americans by researchers says that Americans do believe the "myths" about health care reform, confirming that the White House may indeed be losing this battle. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824115809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825171624.htm Is it more urgent for hospitals, doctors and nurses to focus resources on preventing the thousands of falls that injure hospitalized patients each year, or to home in on preventing rare but dramatic instances of wrong-side surgery? Is it best to concentrate immediately on preventing pediatric medical errors or on preventing drug interactions in the elderly? Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825171624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818182018.htm The nation's home foreclosure epidemic may be taking its toll on Americans' health as well as their wallets. Nearly half of people studied while undergoing foreclosure reported depressive symptoms, and 37 percent met screening criteria for major depression, according to new research. Many also reported an inability to afford prescription drugs, and skipping meals. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818182018.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812163901.htm For years journalists and others have questioned the ethics of public relations practitioners and firms. People in PR, however, appear to be getting a bad rap. That's what a new study funded by the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication at Penn State University has found. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812163901.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025245.htm U.S. prisons are too punitive, and often fail to rehabilitate, but targeting prisoners' behavior, reducing prison populations and offering job skills could reduce prisoner aggression and prevent recidivism, says one leading researcher. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143842.htm A study sheds new light on the limited research examining the influence of militarization on the social and economic development of countries. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141741.htm Hiring the workers needed to eliminate the staggering shortage of health care professionals in sub-Saharan Africa by 2015 will cost $2.6 billion a year, or 2.5 times the annual funds currently allocated for health worker wages in the region, according to a new study. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141741.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805171105.htm As President Obama and Congress weigh changes in the nation's health-care system they must avoid creating a system where physicians are financially motivated to pressure patients into mandated treatments that conflict with their values and needs, physicians warn. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805171105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729074158.htm Guns smuggled from the US arm criminals in Canada and Mexico, contributing to a higher murder rate in Canada and more intense drug crime conflict near the Mexican border, according to a study. Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729074158.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090724102911.htm Approximately 1 in 6 public health workers said they would not report to work during a pandemic flu emergency regardless of its severity, according to a new survey. The new study suggests ways for improving the response of the public health workforce. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090724102911.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625113857.htm New articles document some of the multiple causes of food insecurity. Topics include desertification, flooding, adaptation of remote communities to modern technology, seasonality of food crops and the corresponding dearth between harvests, lack of iron in traditionally consumed food, resulting in anaemia, and taboos that inhibit people from supplementing their diets with nutritious wild fruits that are readily available. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625113857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707161413.htm Black women diagnosed with breast cancer have a greater chance of dying from the disease than white women, according to a new study. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707161413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709170750.htm An ambitious new national study that aims to follow children from conception through adulthood will miss a golden opportunity to gather data on the most underrepresented population in clinical research -- pregnant women, say leading ethicists. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709170750.htm