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New research shows being mindful can ease fears of death and dying

Death can be terrifying. Recognizing that death is inescapable and unpredictable makes us incredibly vulnerable, and can invoke feelings of anxiety, hatred and fear. But new research by George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan shows that being a mindful person not only makes you generally more tolerant and less defensive, but it can also actually neutralize fears of dying and death.

1 Mar 2011

Event marks ceremonial launch of U.N. Women

"After years of planning, fundraising and consultations, U.N. Women was officially launched Thursday," Inter Press Service reports, describing the expectations for the agency voiced by leaders gathered at the event. The ceremonial launch took place during a meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, U.N. News Centre writes.

28 Feb 2011

U.S. food prices could rise up to 4%, USDA says

U.S. food prices will "rise as much as 4% this year, more than the 2% to 3% estimated last month, after a surge in prices for farm goods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture" forecast Thursday during the agency's outlook conference in Washington, Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times reports.

28 Feb 2011

Visualization techniques and action plan can improve food habits

If you want to improve the way you eat, the best way to do so is to both make an action plan and visualize yourself carrying it out, according to McGill researchers.

28 Feb 2011

Menthol cigarette makers & FDA in a legal debate over ban

Tobacco companies have decided to sue the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over a decision that has been made in regards to cigarettes. The companies include the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. as well as Lorillard, Inc., have sued the FDA over a decision that would potentially ban all cigarettes that contain a chemical known as menthol.

28 Feb 2011

Media examine effects, outlook of food price increases worldwide

"A rush by farmers to expand plantings in many parts of the world is raising expectations that food prices may retreat as early as the second half of this year if weather conditions remain favorable," the Wall Street Journal reports in a story examining how recent global developments could affect food price spikes.

25 Feb 2011

Advocates say ending violence against women must be top priority for U.N. women

Nearly three quarters of women's rights advocates say ending violence against women must be a top priority for U.N. Women, according to a report released Wednesday at the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, Inter Press Service reports.

25 Feb 2011

Researchers discover strong link between victimization experiences and substance abuse

A strong link between victimization experiences and substance abuse has been discovered by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

25 Feb 2011

Michigan State University secures $7.9 million award to improve food security in Mozambique

Michigan State University has secured a $7.9 million award to improve agriculture and food security in Mozambique through increasing the African nation's agricultural productivity, creating economic opportunities and enhancing nutrition.

24 Feb 2011

Erik Parens to speak on behavioral genetics at Presidential Commission meeting

Hastings Center Scholar Erik Parens, PhD, will speak about behavioral genetics to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues on Monday, February 28. The meeting kicks off the Commission’s examination of the ethical and policy issues raised by genetics and neuroscience. Topics will include the use of genetics, neuroscience, and neuroimaging for testing, research, diagnosis, risk identification, and health promotion. Parens was invited to discuss what he considers the most pressing ethical and social issues that behavioral genetics research raises.

24 Feb 2011

Toxic contamination of groundwater: South Australia residents warned

Australia’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has announced fears of groundwater contamination beneath up to 2000 homes. The EPA said that industrial activity at the former Hills Industries site in Edwardstown, south of Adelaide, caused dangerous materials - including a chemical known to cause cancer - to seep into the groundwater.

23 Feb 2011

Genetic testing should be conducted by qualified health professionals

In a letter to theFood and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Medical Association (AMA) today called for genetic testing to be conducted under the guidance of a physician, genetic counselor, or other genetics specialist. The letter was sent to the Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel of the FDA's Medical Devices Advisory Committee regarding direct to consumer genetic tests prior to the panel’s hearings on the topic, scheduled for March 8 and 9.

23 Feb 2011

Study: Mormon polygamy reduces strength of sexual selection on males by 58%

Polygamy practiced by some 19th century Mormon men had the curious effect of suppressing the overall offspring numbers of Mormon women in plural marriages, say scientists from Indiana University Bloomington and three other institutions in the March 2011 issue of Evolution and Human Behavior.

23 Feb 2011

New analysis: Female scientists win fewer awards for research

Women scientists must confront sexism when competing for awards that recognize their research, according to a new analysis.

23 Feb 2011

Research: Tobacco outlets still concentrated around elementary and secondary schools

For years the tobacco industry has argued that efforts to ban tobacco advertising near schools would constitute a total ban on tobacco advertising in urban areas.

23 Feb 2011

Former U.N. Secretary-General Annan discusses Africa's agriculture potential at IFAD conference

Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general who now heads the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), discussed the possibilities for agriculture in Africa and called for reforms to improve farming on the continent in a speech given Saturday during the opening day of the U.N. International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) annual meeting in Rome, Italy, the Jakarta Post reports (Asrianti, 2/21).

23 Feb 2011

As G20 financial leaders discuss food prices, some push for fulfillment of G8 pledges

As G20 financial leaders met in Paris over the weekend, the Washington Post reports on the "debate over how to respond" to the recent increase in food prices. France, the G20 chair, spurred discussion about "whether new regulations on commodity trading might prevent speculators from pushing up prices by investing heavily in grains or other goods on the expectation that they will increase even further in value. Yet it is unclear how much of a role speculation plays in the movement of prices," the Washington Post writes.

23 Feb 2011

New study explores link between consumer behaviour and fear of death

Fear of death is a universal human emotion, but does it influence our behaviour as consumers? A new study, conducted by a graduate student at Concordia University's John Molson School of Business, has explored how fear of the Grim Reaper translates into Canadian buying patterns. The research has several implications for marketers in these uncertain times.

23 Feb 2011

New study shows strong link between climate and air pollution

Differences in air pressure over the North Atlantic have meant that the last two winters in Gothenburg, Sweden, have been extremely cold. This has led to the air in Gothenburg being more polluted with nitrogen oxides than ever before. A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that there is a strong link between climate and air pollution.

23 Feb 2011

Research reveals men attend childbirth classes only for partner's sake

Although their involvement is very different, childbirth is an important shared experience for the first-time father and his partner, yet men generally attend childbirth classes only for their partner's sake, reveals research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

22 Feb 2011