News & Views - NEWS & VIEWS

BRAIN SCANS REVEAL WHY MEDS WORK
(June 29, 2007) As reported in LiveScience, a study found that "putting negative emotions into words calms the brain's emotion center."

FINGERPRINTING WITHOUT PERMISSION
(July 23, 2007) A UK Internet publication writes about recent policy where schools can take fingerprints and biometric data of children as young as five without parental permission, to help administration better serve the students. More...

SURVEY OF 70,000 UK CHILDREN
(July 24, 2007) A UK Online publication reports a research study into the lifestyles of 70,000 UK schoolchildren showing almost half teenage girls routinely go without breakfast and lunch to emulate skinny models, teens increasingly living with single parents or step families, girls are drinking more than boys but boys are increasingly carrying weapons. For a fuller summary go to www.thisislondon.co.uk

ATYPICAL DRUGS SKYROCKETS
(July 29, 2007) The St. Petersburg Times reports the use of antipsychotic drugs, and especially the newer class of what is called "atypical" drugs, is skyrocketing even though there is little research indicating they are safe or effective.

CHINESE ILLITERATES LEARNED TO READ
(July 29, 2007) China News reports that illiteracy in the country has declined by 100 million in the last decade reducing the illiteracy rate among young at "only 9.08% in 2000, while it was 22.2% 10 years ago."

'LEARNING STYLE' EDUCATION CRITICIZED
(July 30, 2007) A leading UK professor insists teaching to "learning styles" of students do them a disservice since humans have developed to learn from several senses in coordination, and a student needs to be able to learn in various ways depending on circumstances. More...

ONLY 21% PLAY OUTSIDE
(July 31, 2007) A new study found that only 21% of UK children regularly play outside, compared to more that 70% of their parents who had played outside when children. More...

EBOOKS COULD SPARK READING INTEREST
(August 2, 2007) A team of researchers at Ball State University has released the results of a small-scale study suggesting that wireless handheld devices, or eBooks, could help encourage reading among students who are reluctant readers. More...(Free Subscription required)

AUTISM PRESENTS DIFFERENT FOR SEX
(August 5, 2007) The New York Times presents an overview of traits of autism and how it might present different in girls than in boys.

ADHD ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE
(August 6, 2007) Two recent research studies might explain why those adults with ADHD are often substance abusers. More...