New questionnaire can determine risk of car accidents in elderly drivers
A new questionnaire can determine the risk of car accidents in elderly drivers. The assessment, which is found in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, is designed to measure attentional performance. It includes questions like: do you fail to notice stop signs? Do you follow traffic without recognizing that the light changed? The test uses these questions to find repeated attentional lapses while driving. The study finds that repetition of the same mistakes increases the risk of getting into an accident.
Research shows industrialization is bad for breast milk
Industrialization is bad for breast milk. Bifidobacterium is good bacteria found in the intestines that breaks down breast milk. However, a study published in Science finds that a more effective strain of this bacteria is found in infants living in under-developed countries. Babies with the weaker strain can’t absorb nutrients from breast milk nearly as well as those with the stronger bacteria.
Study says children who are spanked are more likely to become victims of future physical abuse
Does spanking increase the likelihood of experiencing physical abuse? A new study published in Child Abuse & Neglect has found that children who are spanked are more likely to become victims of future physical abuse. Using data from more than 156 thousand children, researchers found that the probability of physical abuse decreased by fourteen percent in children who were not spanked.
Can scientists use plants to study psychiatric disorders?
And finally…can scientists use plants to study psychiatric disorders? Researchers for a study found in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences are investigating a mitochondrial gene found in both plants and mammals that controls a variety of behaviors. They found that plants and mice with the gene are more functional and better at protecting themselves. With further investigation, they hope to find the gene’s effect on human behavior.
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