LONDON (Reuters) - A British spy who thwarted an al Qaeda plot to blow up planes with explosives hidden in drinks bottles and led the response to the 2005 London bombings will be the new head of Britain's domestic intelligence agency, the government said on Thursday.
Andrew Parker has three decades' experience at the agency, known as MI5, countering Islamist militants, Irish republicans and organised criminals, and was deputy head since 2007.
The 50-year-old, a keen birdwatcher and wildlife photographer, will be in charge of 3,800 staff investigating threats ranging from bomb plots and the spread of weapons of mass destruction to espionage and cyber attacks.
One of his first tasks will be to protect U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and other world leaders at the Group of Eight summit in Northern Ireland in June.
The last time Britain hosted the annual G8 meeting in 2005, four suicide bombers killed 52 commuters in London in co-ordinated attacks. Parker was in charge of the agency's reaction to the bombings and oversaw a significant expansion of its role.
Parker, who led the MI5 team that disrupted a 2006 conspiracy to attack multiple passenger jets with bombs hidden in drinks bottles, said it was a "great honour" to be made head of the agency, also known as the Security Service.
"I look forward to leading the Service through its next chapter," he said in a statement.
The bespectacled father-of-two will replace the current head, Jonathan Evans, when he steps down in April after six years in the job during which Britain suffered no significant attacks.
SECRECY
In contrast to the secrecy that defined its work for decades, MI5 published Parker's name and picture on its website. The government did not acknowledge the agency's existence until 1989 and its head remained anonymous until 20 years ago.
Based in an imposing white stone building near parliament on the River Thames, MI5's role is to fight "espionage, terrorism and sabotage, from the activities of agents of foreign powers, and from actions intended to overthrow or undermine parliamentary democracy".
Parker takes over at a time of pressure on public spending, a persistent threat from al Qaeda and worries about a small group of Irish nationalists who refuse to accept a 1998 peace deal in Northern Ireland.
Outgoing MI5 chief Evans warned last year that al Qaeda militants were using the countries which toppled their leaders in the Arab Spring protests as bases to train radical Western youths for potential attacks on Britain.
Prime Minister Cameron said in January that Britain and other western countries face a "large and existential threat" from Islamist militants that could last for decades.
Mar. 25, 2013 ? Studying the relationship between plants and the insects that feed on them is an arduous task, as it must be done through direct observation. It can take years for a researcher to fully understand the diets of a community of herbivorous insects in a tropical rain forest. Now, five Smithsonian scientists are paving a fast track using the DNA found inside the insects' stomachs, potentially turning years of research into months. This method will help scientists understand the ecology and evolution of plant-herbivore interactions more efficiently.
Their findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Plants and insects comprise about 50 percent of all known species on Earth, forming the critical foundation of biodiversity in most terrestrial ecosystems. This study focused on 20 species of rolled leaf beetles in Costa Rica and 33 species of flowering plants in the order Zingiberales that the beetles eat and lay eggs on almost exclusively.
Using specialized DNA extraction methods the scientists obtained a mix of DNA both from the actual insect and from the insect's stomach contents. They used DNA markers specific to animals to obtain DNA barcodes for each insect species and markers specific to plants to identify the plant species in each insect's diet.
"What makes this study unique is that we developed DNA extraction techniques and full DNA barcode libraries that allowed us to identify host plants to the species level," said Carlos Garc?a-Robledo, a post-doctoral fellow at the Smithsonian and lead author of the study. "Another unique feature of this study is that we invested several years in the field identifying the diets of insect herbivores using direct observations. This baseline data allowed us for the first time to test the accuracy of DNA barcodes to identify insect diets."
Matched against the data gathered from prior direct observation, the information derived from this DNA stomach-content study was nearly identical, yet had taken only fraction of the time and effort.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Smithsonian.
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Journal Reference:
Carlos Garc?a-Robledo, David L. Erickson, Charles L. Staines, Terry L. Erwin, W. John Kress. Tropical Plant?Herbivore Networks: Reconstructing Species Interactions Using DNA Barcodes. PLoS ONE, 2013; 8 (1): e52967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052967
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
One of the most common Truth-in-Housing?repair items is an unfilled opening in an electrical box or panelboard. ?If you walk through the garage or basement of just about any old Minneapolis or Saint Paul home, you?ll probably be able a few of these.
?
The national electric code says that unused openings in such equipment need to be closed. ?Covering these openings helps to prevent accidental shocks (think of kids), helps to prevent hot sparks from escaping if something goes wrong inside the enclosure, and helps to prevent pests from entering. ?It happens.
How to fix a missing knockout plug
First, determine the size of the missing knockout hole and subtract 3/8? to figure out what size knockout plug you?ll need. ?For example, if you have a 7/8? hole, you?ll need a 1/2? knockout plug.
Next, go buy some knockout plugs. ?They?re sold in small quantities at hardware stores and home improvement stores for about a quarter each.
Next, kill the power to any circuits going through the box you?re working on. ?As GI Joe?always thought to himself, ?being safe is the other half.?
Finally, put the plug in the hole. ?If you bought the right size, it will be nearly impossible to push the plug in to place with just your hands ? you?ll need to tap the plug in to place using a hammer.
?
If you want to make the plug super tight and impossible to remove, you could bend the tabs inside the box with a screwdriver. ?I?m sure some electricians would say this should always be done. ?The photo below left shows the tabs in their normal position, and the photo below right shows the tabs bent out.
For Truth-in-Housing evaluations, missing knockout plugs are required repair items in Bloomington, Hopkins, Robbinsdale, and South Saint Paul. ?They?re considered a hazard (H) in Saint Paul, and they?re a suggested correction (SC) in Minneapolis.
How to fix a missing twist-out at the front of a panel
First, determine the brand and type of panel. ?It will probably say so right on the door. ?If it helps, take a photo of the label.
Next, go buy some filler plates at a home improvement store or hardware store. ?You?ll find them next to the circuit breakers.
Finally, shut off the power to the panel and pop the appropriate filler in to place. ?This can typically be done without even removing the cover.
For Truth-in-Housing evaluations, openings in the front of an electric panel are?required repair items in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Hopkins, Robbinsdale, and South Saint Paul. ?They?re considered a hazard in Saint Paul.
Now go forth and fill your holes with impunity.
Author:?Reuben Saltzman,?Structure Tech Home Inspections
Australian Rugby League (ARL) Commission Chairman John Grant and Chief Executive Dave Smith will meet with members of parliament on Wednesday, including Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbot, to open a line of communication aimed at ensuring that rugby league has the same access to government funding as the AFL.
The meetings have been part of the ARL?s development plans for several weeks now, with the hope that a clear line of communication with government officials will allow future goals to become a reality.
Smith has stated that ?the main point is that I think rugby league will be more professional in its interaction, we will want to work more closely with government and me going down is really to say hello, take a whole of game perspective and then continue the dialogue.?
The meetings will be focused around government funding for a number of issues, ranging from community work to stadium development to providing more resources for the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority?s investigation into NRL and AFL clubs.
Smith has said that the ?AFL have done a good job and the funding they have achieved is significantly more than we have achieved, but we are now in a different position.?
Due to the broad reaching nature of rugby league in the community, Smith believes that ARL Commission has an obligation to work towards providing the best possible funding and management for fans and players of the game, and that these meetings in Canberra are the start of a relationship which would guarantee the future of rugby league.
Along with general issues related to stadium development and resources, Smith has said that the planning and building of a third major stadium in Sydney?s west would be one of the many issues on the agenda.
The ARL Commission is hopeful that through developing a relationship with federal and state governments, the foundation of a successful period for rugby league can be achieved.
Hello there so I wanted to start a writing prompt thread. Basically what happens is, I give a subject and you write a good 1-5 paragraphs based off this word or description. Whoever gets chosen as the best prompt wins the round, and the winner gets to choose what subject will be written about next.
So who would like to join? All for fun and to challenge or practice your writing skills! :)
DENVER - March 11, 2013 // PRNewswire // - TAB Boards International, the world's largest franchise system providing peer advisory boards, business coaching services, and business leader alignment training celebrates the success of its model through the findings of a Small Business Pulse survey in December 2012. TAB conducts the survey quarterly to seek insights and establish a pulse of the health and confidence of the small business community.
The online survey queried 300 business owners, half of which were members of TAB Boards International. The results of the survey reflect findings from the first quarter of 2013 and reveal TAB members have a more positive outlook and strategy for their businesses in 2013.
Of those surveyed 65% of TAB members - business owners who have opted to join TAB Boards International ? reported higher profits in 2012, while only 41% of non-TAB business owners could say the same. TAB members are 56% more likely than non-TAB members to add full-time employees in 2013. Additionally, the survey revealed TAB members to be 76% more confident for stronger profits in 2013 than non-TAB members.
"We were very happy to learn the small business community reported a stronger economy in 2012, and that they're optimistic about their economic prospects in 2013," expressed David Scarola , Vice President at TAB Boards International, Inc. "We are also delighted to confirm again that TAB's peer advisory boards result in members with stronger profits and greater optimism in the future."
Six out of ten of business owners surveyed ran family-owned organizations, and over three out of four have been in business for eight years or longer. Only one out of 10 business owners indicated they would not join an advisory board, such as those offered by TAB Boards International, for strategic guidance. When asked for best resources available for overcoming key challenges, business owners selected peer advisory boards as their overall top choice.
Additional survey findings indicate U.S. business owners find government to be the major obstacle to their success. Higher-grossing businesses tend to focus on operational challenges, while lower-grossing businesses are more concerned with marketing challenges. Businesses in the Midwest plan to bring on more full-time employees in 2013 than those in the western sector of the United States. The greatest optimism for profits in 2013 lies in the professional services sector.
About The Alternative Board
Operating since 1990, The Alternative Board is an exclusive, membership-based organization helping business owners achieve profitability, productivity, and personal fulfillment. With its highly professional and structured peer advisory boards and private business coaching, The Alternative Board delivers real world advice that provides results-driven advantages that help business owners stay focused on what matters most. TAB operates in seven countries and its world headquarters is located near Denver, Colorado.
Contact:
Rachel Moore Social Media & PR Specialist TAB Boards International, Inc. (303) 839-1200 ext.158 RMoore@TheAlternativeBoard.com
With the unemployment rate hovering at around 7.7 percent, the stiff competition is encouraging creativity in applicants wanting to stand out. Job applicant Dawn Siff talks about her unique way of promoting herself, and she and Thrillist CEO Adam Rich advise TODAY viewers on how to get noticed.
By Isolde Raftery, TODAY
With more than 12 million Americans unemployed, job candidates are struggling to stand out ? so much that some are going to extreme lengths to present creative -- and sometimes outlandish -- resumes.
There?s the husband in Sylvania, Ohio who last summer paid for an electronic billboard ad touting his wife?s qualifications (imploring, ?Please Hire My Wife?). Designer Melissa Washin delicately sewed her resume into fabric, sized like resume paper, when she was in college. In Paris, Philippe Dubost's resume, a mock-up of an?Amazon item for sale, went viral.
For some employers, resumes with flair have the desired effect. Ada Famulari, who runs the internship program at the TODAY Show, said she sees hundreds of resumes throughout the year ? when a fat envelope stuffed with cookies arrived on her desk, it was at the top of the pile.
?It bypassed my pile of resumes,? Famulari said. ?I opened up the envelope and found a resume for an internship. And I thought, ?Wow. You know it could have taken me a week to get to that resume but it moved to the front immediately.? ? ?
Dubost, who created the Amazon ad, appears to have had success with his unorthodox resume, which links to his LinkedIn profile, lists his fastest marathon time (3:22) and, if you click on the ?Add to wedding registry? link, a cheeky pop-up warns: ?Not happening.? Dubost reported on his Tumblr that his ad attracted 1.3 million unique visitors, and that he is currently negotiating for a job.
Washin, the designer-seamstress, landed her first job out of college at a global fragrance manufacturer. She is currently transitioning to Etsy, where she will be a product manufacturer. Reached by phone Thursday, Washin said she?s often been asked whether creative resumes are a good idea.
?It made sense for me as a designer to do something more creative,? she said. ?But someone applying to the insurance industry, maybe it wouldn?t be a good idea to present a resume on fabric. You could do something related to that industry, maybe a little ?Approved? stamp, or place a resume on an insurance application form, or something a little special you can do that makes it a little relevant.?
Some career coaches don?t advise over-the-top resumes, however.
Jane Cranston, a career coach with Executive Coach NY, told NBCNews.com: ?It?s like getting on a dating site and putting up a naked picture of yourself.?
Cranston added: ?You could attract a lot of waste-of-time wackos.?
Related content:
Have you created an unlikely resume? Tell us about it in the comments -- and whether you were successful. ? ?
Contact: Christa Stratton cstratton@geosociety.org Geological Society of America
Boulder, Colorado, USA - Geoscientists from across the southeastern U.S., Puerto Rico, and beyond will convene in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 20-21 March to discuss infrastructure, earthquakes, sustainability, waste-water management and sanitation, and coastal vulnerability and take time to explore the area's stunning geology and history. Puerto Rico's wide variety of geologic and geographic settings includes a world-class karst province, limestone cliffs, a central mountain range, and the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest system.
Topics of interest presented on Wednesday include the proposed U.S. presidential initiative to expand and modernize Kennedy Space Center infrastructure, which is within 500 meters of the Atlantic coastline in Florida. Another paper covers the Governors' South Atlantic Alliance, established in 2009 by North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida as a regional forum for addressing the environmental sustainability, natural resources, and socioeconomic environment of the southeastern states. Wednesday's poster session "Sustainable Water Resources and Water Treatment in Haiti" includes presentations by scientists from Haiti's Universit Quisqueya.
Thursday sessions include analysis of Caribbean earthquakes and tsunamis, with discussion of the use of untethered free-vehicles to explore the Puerto Rico Trench and Muertos Trough. International collaboration as part of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network is also highlighted.
Selected Highlights of the Scientific Program
The scientific program is composed of oral and poster presentations organized into 17 themed sessions plus an array of research in general discipline areas. Go to http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/se/2013mtg/techprog.htm to learn more.
WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH
Assessing Coastal Vulnerability: Technical and Management Considerations
Chester W. Jackson Jr. of Georgia Southern University and Clark Alexander of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, presiding, 8 a.m. to noon (session 1).
Sustainable Water Resources and Water Treatment in Haiti
Peter J. Wampler of Grand Valley State University, Richard R. Rediske of the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University, and Azizur R. Molla of Grand Valley State University, presiding, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (session 21).
Alberto Lpez of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez and Christa von Hillebrandt of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service, presiding, 8 a.m. to noon (session 25).
Collaborative Seismology in the Caribbean and Central America
Jay Pulliam of Baylor University, Vctor Hurfano Moreno of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez, and Olga Cabello of the IRIS Consortium, presiding, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (session 39).
Paper 39-7: International Collaboration: A Central Component of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network Tsunami Response Process. Lead author: Lillian Soto-Cordero of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez: https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013SE/webprogram/Paper215975.html (5:10 p.m.).
###
View the complete session schedule by day or search the program by keywords at https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013SE/webprogram/start.html. Click on session titles for a list of presentations, and click on presentations for the individual abstracts.
Find complete meeting information at http://www.geosociety.org/sections/se/2013mtg/index.htm.
Find local contact information at http://www.geosociety.org/sections/se/2013mtg/contact.htm.
MEDIA REGISTRATION
Eligibility for media registration is as follows:
Working press representing bona fide, recognized news media with a press card, letter or business card from the publication.
Freelance science writers, presenting a current membership card from NASW, ISWA, regional affiliates of NASW, ISWA, CSWA, ACS, ABSW, EUSJA, or evidence of work pertaining to science published in 2012 or 2013.
PIOs of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies.
Present media credentials to Beth Engle onsite at the GSA registration desk to obtain a badge for media access. Complimentary meeting registration covers attendance at all technical sessions and access to the exhibit hall. Journalists and PIOs must pay regular fees for paid luncheons and any short courses or field trips in which they participate. Representatives of the business side of news media, publishing houses, and for-profit corporations must register at the main registration desk and pay the appropriate fees.
For additional information and assistance, contact Christa Stratton, GSA Director of Communications, at the address above.
http://www.geosociety.org
The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 25,000 members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Contact: Christa Stratton cstratton@geosociety.org Geological Society of America
Boulder, Colorado, USA - Geoscientists from across the southeastern U.S., Puerto Rico, and beyond will convene in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 20-21 March to discuss infrastructure, earthquakes, sustainability, waste-water management and sanitation, and coastal vulnerability and take time to explore the area's stunning geology and history. Puerto Rico's wide variety of geologic and geographic settings includes a world-class karst province, limestone cliffs, a central mountain range, and the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest system.
Topics of interest presented on Wednesday include the proposed U.S. presidential initiative to expand and modernize Kennedy Space Center infrastructure, which is within 500 meters of the Atlantic coastline in Florida. Another paper covers the Governors' South Atlantic Alliance, established in 2009 by North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida as a regional forum for addressing the environmental sustainability, natural resources, and socioeconomic environment of the southeastern states. Wednesday's poster session "Sustainable Water Resources and Water Treatment in Haiti" includes presentations by scientists from Haiti's Universit Quisqueya.
Thursday sessions include analysis of Caribbean earthquakes and tsunamis, with discussion of the use of untethered free-vehicles to explore the Puerto Rico Trench and Muertos Trough. International collaboration as part of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network is also highlighted.
Selected Highlights of the Scientific Program
The scientific program is composed of oral and poster presentations organized into 17 themed sessions plus an array of research in general discipline areas. Go to http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/se/2013mtg/techprog.htm to learn more.
WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH
Assessing Coastal Vulnerability: Technical and Management Considerations
Chester W. Jackson Jr. of Georgia Southern University and Clark Alexander of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, presiding, 8 a.m. to noon (session 1).
Sustainable Water Resources and Water Treatment in Haiti
Peter J. Wampler of Grand Valley State University, Richard R. Rediske of the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University, and Azizur R. Molla of Grand Valley State University, presiding, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (session 21).
Alberto Lpez of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez and Christa von Hillebrandt of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service, presiding, 8 a.m. to noon (session 25).
Collaborative Seismology in the Caribbean and Central America
Jay Pulliam of Baylor University, Vctor Hurfano Moreno of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez, and Olga Cabello of the IRIS Consortium, presiding, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (session 39).
Paper 39-7: International Collaboration: A Central Component of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network Tsunami Response Process. Lead author: Lillian Soto-Cordero of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez: https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013SE/webprogram/Paper215975.html (5:10 p.m.).
###
View the complete session schedule by day or search the program by keywords at https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013SE/webprogram/start.html. Click on session titles for a list of presentations, and click on presentations for the individual abstracts.
Find complete meeting information at http://www.geosociety.org/sections/se/2013mtg/index.htm.
Find local contact information at http://www.geosociety.org/sections/se/2013mtg/contact.htm.
MEDIA REGISTRATION
Eligibility for media registration is as follows:
Working press representing bona fide, recognized news media with a press card, letter or business card from the publication.
Freelance science writers, presenting a current membership card from NASW, ISWA, regional affiliates of NASW, ISWA, CSWA, ACS, ABSW, EUSJA, or evidence of work pertaining to science published in 2012 or 2013.
PIOs of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies.
Present media credentials to Beth Engle onsite at the GSA registration desk to obtain a badge for media access. Complimentary meeting registration covers attendance at all technical sessions and access to the exhibit hall. Journalists and PIOs must pay regular fees for paid luncheons and any short courses or field trips in which they participate. Representatives of the business side of news media, publishing houses, and for-profit corporations must register at the main registration desk and pay the appropriate fees.
For additional information and assistance, contact Christa Stratton, GSA Director of Communications, at the address above.
http://www.geosociety.org
The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 25,000 members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Having firmly established itself as Australia?s first Public Relations business dedicated to the fitness, health and wellbeing industries, GoodFit PR will now represent Australia?s leading active living ambassador, Lorna Jane Clarkson.
Founded in early 2012 by PR entrepreneur Sarah Thompson, GoodFit PR?s portfolio has grown from just two clients to six within its first year.
?I am thrilled to be working with Lorna Jane, a designer whose philosophy and commitment to encourage other women to live meaningful, active lives has inspired me for years. I share a similar passion for positive, healthy living, and know GoodFit PR is the agency to take Lorna?s message to Australia and beyond,? said Sarah Thompson.
With over nine years? experience working across public relations, marketing & event management in the lifestyle sector, Sarah Thompson started Goodfit PR after seeing a gap in the marketing industry for companies catering to healthy, positive brands.
?I am a self-confessed gym junkie, swimmer, horse rider, dancer and hula hooper. I see health and wellbeing as key growth areas globally. My vision is to be the go-to PR agency for all products, people and services committed to promoting a positive, healthy lifestyle,? said Sarah Thompson.
GoodFit PR?s clients include Lorna Jane, healthy holiday destination Sharing Bali, fithoop (the weighted hula hoop), The Jungle Body group fitness program, triathlete and motivational speaker Michelle Cooper and Lean Mumma, an exercise, system designed for mums. GoodFit PR has also worked with Kurri Burri Polo Club.
Prior to founding GoodFit PR, Sarah Thompson worked with clients such as celebrity trainer Michelle Bridges and Thai health resorts Chiva-Som and Kamalaya.
ScienceDaily: Child Development Newshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/child_development/ Read the latest research in child development including how newborns learn to think, how sleep patterns emerge, problems with toddlers and more.en-usSun, 10 Mar 2013 11:25:15 EDTSun, 10 Mar 2013 11:25:15 EDT60ScienceDaily: Child Development Newshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gifhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/child_development/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily.Mom's sensitivity helps language development in children with hearing losshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130308103414.htm Psychologists demonstrate the impact sensitive parenting has on language growth for children who receive cochlear implants.Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130308103414.htmUsing human brain cells to make mice smarterhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307123947.htm What happens when human brain cells that surround and support neurons are implanted into the brains of newborn mice? Researchers recently found that such mice had enhanced learning and memory when compared with normal mice that hadn't received the transplanted human cells. The findings indicate that these supportive cells, called glia, play an important role in human cognition.Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:39:39 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307123947.htmWhen food is scarce, a smaller brain will dohttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307123944.htm A new study explains how young brains are protected when nutrition is poor. The findings reveal a coping strategy for producing a fully functional, if smaller, brain. The discovery, which was made in larval flies, shows the brain as an incredibly adaptable organ and may have implications for understanding the developing human brain as well, the researchers say.Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:39:39 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307123944.htmExercise shields children from stress, research indicateshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307091552.htm Exercise may play a key role in helping children cope with stressful situations, according to a recent study.Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307091552.htmFlip of a single molecular switch makes an old mouse brain younghttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134226.htm The flip of a single molecular switch helps create the mature neuronal connections that allow the brain to bridge the gap between adolescent impressionability and adult stability. Now researchers have reversed the process, recreating a youthful brain that facilitated both learning and healing in the adult mouse.Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:42:42 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134226.htmSolving the 'Cocktail Party Problem': How we can focus on one speaker in noisy crowdshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134218.htm In the din of a crowded room, paying attention to just one speaker's voice can be challenging. Research demonstrates how the brain homes in on one speaker to solve this "Cocktail Party Problem." Researchers discovered that brain waves are shaped so the brain can selectively track the sound patterns from the speaker of interest while excluding competing sounds from other speakers. The findings could have important implications for helping individuals with a range of deficits.Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:42:42 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134218.htmFamily intervention improves mood symptoms in children and adolescents at risk for bipolar disorderhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306084154.htm Psychologists have found that children and adolescents with major depression or subthreshold forms of bipolar disorder - and who had at least one first-degree relative with bipolar disorder - responded better to a 12-session family-focused treatment than to a briefer educational treatment.Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:41:41 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306084154.htmHelp in reading foreign languageshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306083935.htm Recent research into how we learn is set to help people in their efforts to read a second or foreign language (SFL) more effectively. This will be good news for those struggling to develop linguistic skills in preparation for a move abroad, or to help in understanding foreign language forms, reports, contracts and instructions.Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:39:39 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306083935.htmPotential target to better treat, cure anxiety disordershttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305174627.htm Researchers have, for the first time, identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem whose activation during rapid eye movement sleep is critical for the regulation of emotional memory processing.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:46:46 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305174627.htmMental picture of others can be seen using fMRI, finds new studyhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305091000.htm It is possible to tell who a person is thinking about by analyzing images of his or her brain. Our mental models of people produce unique patterns of brain activation, which can be detected using advanced imaging techniques according to a new study.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:10:10 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305091000.htmChildren of divorced parents more likely to switch, pull away from religionshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305090956.htm Adults whose parents were divorced are more likely to switch religions or disassociate themselves from institutional religions altogether -- but growing up in a single-parent family does not have any effect on private religious life, including praying, according to a new study.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:09:09 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305090956.htmStress hormone foreshadows postpartum depression in new mothershttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304161623.htm Women who receive strong social support from their families during pregnancy appear to be protected from sharp increases in a particular stress hormone, making them less likely to develop postpartum depression, according to a new study.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:16:16 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304161623.htmMom's placenta reflects her exposure to stress and impacts offsprings' brainshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151811.htm The mammalian placenta is more than just a filter through which nutrition and oxygen are passed from a mother to her unborn child. According to a new study, if a mother is exposed to stress during pregnancy, her placenta translates that experience to her fetus by altering levels of a protein that affects the developing brains of male and female offspring differently.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:18:18 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151811.htmIs baby still breathing? Is mom's obsession normal?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151807.htm A new mother may constantly worry and check to see if her baby is breathing. Or she may obsess about germs. A new study found postpartum moms have a much higher rate of obsessive-compulsive symptoms than the general population. This is the first large-scale study of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in new moms. The symptoms could result from hormonal changes or be adaptive, but may indicate a psychological disorder if they interfere with a mother's functioning.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:18:18 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151807.htmSpeech emerges in children on the autism spectrum with severe language delay at greater rate than previously thoughthttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304104912.htm Study could reveals key predictors of speech gains. New findings reveal that 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have a history of severe language delay, achieved phrase or fluent speech by age eight.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:49:49 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304104912.htmADHD takes a toll well into adulthoodhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304104758.htm The first large, population-based study to follow children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder into adulthood shows that ADHD often doesn?t go away and that children with ADHD are more likely to have other psychiatric disorders as adults. They also appear more likely to commit suicide and to be incarcerated as adults.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:47:47 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304104758.htmInfection during pregnancy and stress in puberty play key role in development of schizophreniahttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301122512.htm The interplay between an infection during pregnancy and stress in puberty plays a key role in the development of schizophrenia, as behaviorists demonstrate in a mouse model. However, there is no need to panic.Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:25:25 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301122512.htmBritish children more exposed to alcohol promotion than adults, experts warnhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228194651.htm Children in Britain are more exposed to alcohol promotion than adults and need much stronger protection, warn experts.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:46:46 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228194651.htmAction video games boost reading skills, study of children with dyslexia suggestshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124132.htm Much to the chagrin of parents who think their kids should spend less time playing video games and more time studying, time spent playing action video games can actually make dyslexic children read better, new research suggests. In fact, 12 hours of video game play did more for reading skills than is normally achieved with a year of spontaneous reading development or demanding traditional reading treatments.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:41:41 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124132.htmCloser personal relationships could help teens overcome learning disabilitieshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228113449.htm A new study from Israel says that children with learning disabilities develop less secure attachments with mothers and teachers, and that closer and more secure relationships with parents and adults may help them overcome these disabilities.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228113449.htmEating junk food while pregnant may make your child a junk food addicthttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228103443.htm A healthy diet during pregnancy is critical to the future health of your children. New research suggests that pregnant mothers who consume junk food cause developmental changes of the opioid signaling pathway in the brains of their unborn children. Consequently, these children are less sensitive to opioids released upon consumption of foods high in fat and sugar, and need to eat more to achieve a "feel good" response.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228103443.htmChildren with autism show increased positive social behaviors when animals are presenthttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183504.htm The presence of an animal can significantly increase positive social behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:35:35 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183504.htmHomeric epics were written in 762 BCE, give or take, new study suggestshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183320.htm One of literature's oldest mysteries is a step closer to being solved. A new study dates Homer's The Iliad to 762 BCE and adds a quantitative means of testing ideas about history by analyzing the evolution of language.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:33:33 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183320.htmPraising children for their personal qualities may backfirehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183316.htm Praising children, especially those with low self-esteem, for their personal qualities rather than their efforts may make them feel more ashamed when they fail, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:33:33 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183316.htmFirst grade math skills set foundation for later math abilityhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151302.htm Children who failed to acquire a basic math skill in first grade scored far behind their peers by seventh grade on a test of the mathematical abilities needed to function in adult life, according to researchers.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:13:13 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151302.htmResearch explores factors that impact adolescent mental healthhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151258.htm Research indicates that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, well before adulthood. Three new studies investigate the cognitive, genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to mental health disorders in adolescence.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151258.htmAuthors: Develop digital games to improve brain function and well-beinghttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227134338.htm Neuroscientists should help to develop compelling digital games that boost brain function and improve well-being, say two professors specializing in the field.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:43:43 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227134338.htmStudy connects early childhood with pain, depression in adulthoodhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227121910.htm New research examines how childhood socioeconomic disadvantages and maternal depression increase the risk of major depression and chronic pain when they become adults.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:19:19 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227121910.htmNew studies link gene to selfish behavior in kids, find other children natural givershttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102940.htm Most parents would agree that raising a generous child is an admirable goal -- but how, exactly, is that accomplished? New results shed light on how generosity and related behaviors -- such as kindness, caring and empathy -- develop, or don't develop, in children from 2 years old through adolescence.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:29:29 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102940.htm'Network' analysis of brain may explain features of autismhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102022.htm A look at how the brain processes information finds distinct pattern in autistic children. Using EEGs to track the brain's electrical cross-talk, researchers found structural difference in brain connections. Compared with neurotypical children, those with autism have multiple redundant connections between neighboring brain areas at expense of long-distance links. The study, using "network analysis" like with airlines or electrical grids, may help in understanding some classic autistic behaviors.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:20:20 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102022.htmIncreased risk of sleep disorder narcolepsy in children who received swine flu vaccinehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226194006.htm A study finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:40:40 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226194006.htmSleep reinforces learning: Children?s brains transform subconsciously learned material into active knowledgehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226081155.htm During sleep, our brains store what we have learned during the day a process even more effective in children than in adults, new research shows.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:11:11 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226081155.htmHigher levels of several toxic metals found in children with autismhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162231.htm Researchers have found significantly higher levels of toxic metals in children with autism, compared to typical children. They hypothesize that reducing early exposure to toxic metals may help lessen symptoms of autism, though they say this hypotheses needs further examination.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:22:22 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162231.htmDoing good is good for you: Volunteer adolescents enjoy healthier heartshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162229.htm Giving back through volunteering is good for your heart, even at a young age, according to researchers.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:22:22 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162229.htmGiving a voice to kids with Down syndromehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225122039.htm A new case study shows children with Down syndrome can benefit from conventional stuttering treatment.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:20:20 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225122039.htmUltrasound reveals autism risk at birth, study findshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225112510.htm Low-birth-weight babies with a particular brain abnormality are at greater risk for autism, according to a new study that could provide doctors a signpost for early detection of the still poorly understood disorder.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:25:25 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225112510.htmParents talking about their own drug use to children could be detrimentalhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222083127.htm Parents know that one day they will have to talk to their children about drug use. The hardest part is to decide whether or not talking about ones own drug use will be useful in communicating an antidrug message. Recent research found that children whose parents did not disclose drug use, but delivered a strong antidrug message, were more likely to exhibit antidrug attitudes.Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:31:31 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222083127.htmScientists make older adults less forgetful in memory testshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221143946.htm Scientists have found compelling evidence that older adults can eliminate forgetfulness and perform as well as younger adults on memory tests. The cognitive boost comes from a surprising source -- a distraction learning strategy.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:39:39 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221143946.htmHow human language could have evolved from birdsong: Researchers propose new theory on deep roots of human speechhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221141608.htm The sounds uttered by birds offer in several respects the nearest analogy to language," Charles Darwin wrote in "The Descent of Man" (1871), while contemplating how humans learned to speak. Language, he speculated, might have had its origins in singing, which "might have given rise to words expressive of various complex emotions." Linguistics and biology now researchers propose a new theory on the deep roots of human speech.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:16:16 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221141608.htmEarly life stress may take early toll on heart functionhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221104330.htm Early life stress like that experienced by ill newborns appears to take an early toll of the heart, affecting its ability to relax and refill with oxygen-rich blood, researchers report.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:43:43 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221104330.htmSignaling pathway linked to fetal alcohol risk: Molecular switch promises new targets for diagnosis and therapyhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220170736.htm Scientists have identified a molecular signaling pathway that plays an important role in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:07:07 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220170736.htmBullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adultshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163629.htm Bullied children grow into adults who are at increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:36:36 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163629.htmChildren with brain lesions able to use gestures important to language learninghttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220123413.htm Children with brain lesions suffered before or around the time of birth are able to use gestures -- an important aspect of the language learning process -- to convey simple sentences.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220123413.htmAdding movement to 'dry run' mental imagery enhances performancehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219201523.htm Adding movement to mental rehearsal can improve performance finds a new study. For high jumpers the study shows that dynamic imagery improves the number of successful attempts and the technical performance of jumps The technique of mental rehearsal is used to consolidate performance in many disciplines including music and sport. Motor imagery and physical practice use overlapping neural networks in the brain and the two together can improve performance as well as promoting recovery from injury.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219201523.htmBiological marker of dyslexia discovered: Ability to consistently encode sound undergirds the reading processhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172159.htm Researchers believe they have discovered a biological marker of dyslexia, a disorder affecting up to one out of 10 children that makes learning to read difficult. The researchers found a systematic relationship between reading ability and the consistency with which the brain encodes sounds. The good news: Response consistency can be improved with auditory training.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172159.htmLanguage protein differs in males, femaleshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172153.htm Male rat pups have more of a specific brain protein associated with language development than females, according to a new study. The study also found sex differences in the brain protein in a small group of children. The findings may shed light on sex differences in communication in animals and language acquisition in people.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172153.htmInfants in poverty show different physiological vulnerabilities to the care-giving environmenthttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219141016.htm Some infants raised in poverty exhibit physical traits that make them more vulnerable to poor care-giving, according to new research. The combination of physiological vulnerability and poor care-giving may lead these children to show increased problem behaviors later in childhood.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:10:10 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219141016.htmMusic therapy improves behavior in children with autism, study suggestshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219140100.htm Weekly music therapy sessions can have a positive effect on behavior in children with autism, reports a new article. In a study of 41 children, improvements were seen particularly in inattentive behaviors over a ten month period.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:01:01 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219140100.htmReduced risk of preterm birth for pregnant women vaccinated during pandemic fluhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121351.htm Pregnant women who received the H1N1 influenza vaccine during the 2009 pandemic were less likely to have premature babies, and their babies weighed more on average.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:13:13 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121351.htmSports, shared activities are 'game changers' for dad/daughter relationshipshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121212.htm The most frequent turning point in father-daughter relationships is shared activity -- especially sports -- ahead of such pivotal events as when a daughter marries or leaves home, according to a new study.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121212.htmIs there a link between childhood obesity and ADHD, learning disabilities?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121021.htm A new study has established a possible link between high-fat diets and such childhood brain-based conditions as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory-dependent learning disabilities.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:10:10 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121021.htmChildren with auditory processing disorder may now have more treatment optionshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219120936.htm Researchers are helping children with auditory processing disorder receive better treatment. They have developed a program that uses evidence-based practices and incorporates speech-language pathologists into therapy.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:09:09 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219120936.htm'Simplified' brain lets the iCub robot learn languagehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219102649.htm The iCub humanoid robot will now be able to understand what is being said to it and even anticipate the end of a sentence.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:26:26 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219102649.htmIt may be educational, but what is that TV show really teaching your preschooler?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219102118.htm Most parents carefully select what television programs and movies their children can watch. But a psychologist says educational shows could come with an added lesson that influences a child?s behavior. Children exposed to educational programs were more aggressive in their interactions than those who weren't exposed.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219102118.htmFear, anger or pain: Why do babies cry?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219090649.htm Researchers have studied adults' accuracy in the recognition of the emotion causing babies to cry. Eye movement and the dynamic of the cry play a key role in recognition. It is not easy to know why a newborn cries, especially amongst first-time parents. Although the main reasons are hunger, pain, anger and fear, adults cannot easily recognize which emotion is the cause of the tears.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:06:06 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219090649.htmShedding new light on infant brain developmenthttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130218164126.htm A new study finds that the infant brain does not control its blood flow the same way as the adult brain, that the control of brain blood flow develops with age. These findings could change the way researchers study brain development in infants and children.Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:41:41 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130218164126.htmExcessive TV in childhood linked to long-term antisocial behavior, New Zealand study showshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130218092711.htm Children and adolescents who watch a lot of television are more likely to manifest antisocial and criminal behavior when they become adults, according to a new study.Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:27:27 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130218092711.htmPoor stress responses may lead to obesity in childrenhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130217085346.htm Children who overreact to stressors may be at risk of becoming overweight or obese, according to researchers.Sun, 17 Feb 2013 08:53:53 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130217085346.htmAre billboards driving us to distraction?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130214134024.htm There's a billboard up ahead, a roadside sign full of language and imagery. Next stop: the emotionally distracted zone.Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:40:40 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130214134024.htmBehavioral therapy for children with autism can impact brain functionhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130214120618.htm Using functional magnetic resonance imaging for before-and-after analysis, a team of researchers discovered positive changes in brain activity in children with autism who received a particular type of behavioral therapy.Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:06:06 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130214120618.htm
Google Inc. is a multinational Internet search technologies corporation. Google hosts and develops numerous Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising. The company was founded by... More ?
Fox Business Network is an American cable news and satellite news television channel that commenced broadcasting on October 15, 2007. It is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.... More ?
During last night's Academy Awards ceremony, Apple debuted a new TV ad, dubbed "Hollywood." The spot follows the same template as other recent ads, but simply uses a movie-connected theme, for instance showing iMovie, and a 3D-rendered Hollywood sign in Maps. Intermixed are clips from Back to the Future, Apollo 13, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Significantly, a film shot partly with an iPhone, Searching for Sugar Man, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, marking the first time any film shot with an Apple device has won an Oscar. Director Malik Bendjelloul has explained that he ran out of money while making the movie, and decided to complete remaining shots using his iPhone and an app called 8mm Vintage Camera.
'Prevent death' message more effective than 'save life' in blood donation campaignsPublic release date: 6-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Jyoti Madhusoodanan jmadhusoodanan@plos.org 415-568-4545 Public Library of Science
'Prevent loss' message better than 'provide benefits' to increase volunteerism
Subtle changes in messaging can have a profound impact on the effectiveness of charitable messages such as calls for blood donations, according to research published March 6 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Eileen Chou from the University of Virginia and co-author Keith Murnighan at Northwestern University.
Though chronic shortages in U.S blood banks could be alleviated by a small increase in the number of blood donors, people are not always motivated enough to help. In the current study, researchers collaborated with the Red Cross to assess the effects of changing the urgency and messaging of a call for blood donations. The scientists found that on a college campus, describing blood donations as a way to "prevent a death" rather than "save a life" significantly increased the rate of donations.
In a second study, the researchers assessed the effects of these slight changes in framing a charitable message on people's emotional motivation for a monetary donation. Here, they found that framing an appeal as "helping people to avoid a loss" rather than "helping people to gain benefits" led to increased intentions to volunteer and more helping behavior. Volunteers presented with such "prevention of loss" messages were also more likely to expect larger donations to their cause. "These findings demonstrated a simple, reliable, and effective method for charities to significantly increase important helping behaviors," Chou said.
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Citation: Chou EY, Murnighan JK (2013) Life or Death Decisions: Framing the Call for Help. PLOS ONE 8(3): e57351. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057351
Financial Disclosure: The authors have no funding or support to report.
Competing Interest Statement: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
PLEASE LINK TO THE SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT (URL goes live after the embargo ends): http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057351
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
'Prevent death' message more effective than 'save life' in blood donation campaignsPublic release date: 6-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Jyoti Madhusoodanan jmadhusoodanan@plos.org 415-568-4545 Public Library of Science
'Prevent loss' message better than 'provide benefits' to increase volunteerism
Subtle changes in messaging can have a profound impact on the effectiveness of charitable messages such as calls for blood donations, according to research published March 6 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Eileen Chou from the University of Virginia and co-author Keith Murnighan at Northwestern University.
Though chronic shortages in U.S blood banks could be alleviated by a small increase in the number of blood donors, people are not always motivated enough to help. In the current study, researchers collaborated with the Red Cross to assess the effects of changing the urgency and messaging of a call for blood donations. The scientists found that on a college campus, describing blood donations as a way to "prevent a death" rather than "save a life" significantly increased the rate of donations.
In a second study, the researchers assessed the effects of these slight changes in framing a charitable message on people's emotional motivation for a monetary donation. Here, they found that framing an appeal as "helping people to avoid a loss" rather than "helping people to gain benefits" led to increased intentions to volunteer and more helping behavior. Volunteers presented with such "prevention of loss" messages were also more likely to expect larger donations to their cause. "These findings demonstrated a simple, reliable, and effective method for charities to significantly increase important helping behaviors," Chou said.
###
Citation: Chou EY, Murnighan JK (2013) Life or Death Decisions: Framing the Call for Help. PLOS ONE 8(3): e57351. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057351
Financial Disclosure: The authors have no funding or support to report.
Competing Interest Statement: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
PLEASE LINK TO THE SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT (URL goes live after the embargo ends): http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057351
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
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Public release date: 11-Mar-2013
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