A long-lasting court fight over patented soybeans is over, and agribusiness giant Monsanto has won. In a decision issued today, the US Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that Monsanto must be allowed to patent its seeds—and it must be able to punish farmers who try to dodge the patents. Farmers are compelled to sign a patent agreement when they buy Monsanto’s Roundup Ready herbicide-resistant soybeans, promising that they won’t use the seeds to produce additional crops. A small-time Indiana farmer,…
A new study shows that infants as young as 9 months show signs of condoning antisocial behavior when directed at people different from them. Using videos of puppets, the study found that, Like adults, infants incorporate information about not only what people do (e.g., acting nicely or meanly) but also whom they do to (e.g., a person who is liked or disliked) when they make social evaluations. Besides proving the cruelty of babies, the study suggests that [social] biases aren’t…
Owning a Ferrari is the dream of many car enthusiasts the world over, since the iconic Italian brand is forever linked with performance and handling. According to a new United Kingdom study conducted by insurer AXA Group, you’d probably be happier behind the wheel of a BMW or an Aston Martin. The study surveyed 2,000 drivers from the U.K. on a variety of factors relating to happiness behind the wheel, and the results may be a bit surprising. Overall, 69-percent of motorists claimed to enjoy…
Researchers found that the probability of tics being reported by adolescents was higher among those who suffered from learning disabilities. Photo by Michal Fattal More than 4 percent of Israelis between 14 and 17 have told doctors they suffer from involuntary tics, with the frequency even higher in the Arab community, a new study shows. …
By Arturo Garcia Saturday, March 9, 2013 19:09 EDT Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri said on Friday that bee venom could be used to deliver a…
iStock Autumn is the time of year most associated with bumper crops of new babies, and according to an Israeli study there may be a scientific reason for it: human sperm are generally at their healthiest in winter and early spring. Based on samples from more than 6,000 men treated for infertility, researchers writing in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found sperm in greater numbers, with faster swimming speeds and fewer abnormalities…
REPUBLIC, Mo. — The time for crime may have to do with the clocks. According to a forthcoming national study, the spring forward of daylight saving makes crime rates fall back. Researchers from University of Virginia and College of William and Mary looked at the three-week period before and after the spring daylight saving time change over the course of four years. They found encouraging results: rape rates went down 56 percent, robbery went down by 51 percent, and murder decreased 43…
(Getty) Before every fight, the fighters face off as part of the pre-fight weigh-ins. Usually, the two fighters raise their fists and scowl at each other as pictures are snapped. But sometimes, a fighter smiles at his or her opponent. A study published in the scientific journal Emotion claims that smiling isn’t such a good plan. A smiling fighter is more likely to lose. The researchers did two studies as part of an overall look at how smiles affected fights. Their findings: We reason, on…
CBS News — According to a Duke University survey, women wake up far more grumpier than their male counterparts. In fact, females need far more sleep than men and suffer more mentally and physically if forced to go without it, research suggests. It appears lack of sleep can also put them at higher risk of heart disease, depression and psychological problems and in contrast, men’s health appears to be far less dependent on how well they sleep. In fact, men with sleeping problems showed no…
Those with disorder risk injury, fatigue and other health problems, researchers report WebMD News from HealthDay By Kathleen Doheny HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, March 8 (HealthDay News) — Adults don’t always outgrow sleepwalking, and among those who don’t, 58 percent may become violent and sometimes injure either themselves or their sleeping partner, a new study shows. Not only that, these sleepwalkers suffer a…
