ScienceDaily: Science & Society News

Obesity series exposes 'unacceptably slow' progress in tackling soaring global obesity rates over last decade Posted: 18 Feb 2015 04:17 PM PST Global failure to tackle obesity epidemic demands new ways of thinking, say leading experts. In less than a generation, experts say, rates of child obesity have risen dramatically worldwide. For example, in the USA children weigh on average 5kg more than they did 30 years ago, and one in three children is now overweight or obese. Although child obesity rates have started to level off in some cities and countries, no country to date has experienced declining rates of obesity across its population.

Unhealthy eating habits outpacing healthy eating patterns in most world regions Posted: 18 Feb 2015 04:17 PM PST Worldwide, consumption of healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables has improved during the past two decades, but has been outpaced by the increased intake of unhealthy foods including processed meat and sweetened drinks in most world regions, according to the first study to assess diet quality in 187 countries covering almost 4.5 billion adults.

Partners for Kids: Cost savings, quality examined Posted: 18 Feb 2015 11:14 AM PST The cost-saving and health care quality outcomes of the pediatric Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Partners for Kids has been outlined by a recent study that indicates that Partners for Kids successfully improved the value of pediatric healthcare over time through cost containment, while maintaining quality of care.

Manufacturing growth can benefit Bangladeshi women workers Posted: 18 Feb 2015 09:38 AM PST The life of a Bangladeshi garment factory worker is not an easy one. But new research indicates that access to such factory jobs can improve the lives of young Bangladeshi women -- motivating them to stay in school and lowering their likelihood of early marriage and childbirth.

New insights into origins of the world's languages Posted: 18 Feb 2015 09:34 AM PST Linguists have long agreed that languages from English to Greek to Hindi, known as 'Indo-European languages', are the modern descendants of a language family that first emerged from a common ancestor spoken thousands of years ago. Now, a new study gives us more information on when and where it was most likely used. Using data from over 150 languages, linguists provide evidence that this ancestor language originated 5,500 - 6,500 years ago on the Pontic-Caspian steppe.

Basic personality changes linked to unemployment, study finds Posted: 18 Feb 2015 09:22 AM PST Unemployment can change peoples' core personalities, making some less conscientious, agreeable and open, which may make it difficult for them to find new jobs, according to new research.

State funding boosts stem cell research in California, other states Posted: 18 Feb 2015 07:19 AM PST A new study analyzed stem cell funding programs in four states and found that in both California and Connecticut, state programs have contributed to an increase in the share of publications in the field produced in these states.

Men more dissatisfied with extra chores in more gender equal countries Posted: 18 Feb 2015 07:18 AM PST Men are more likely to feel it's unfair when they tackle a greater share of household chores in countries where a more egalitarian division of labor is considered the norm, according to a new study.

Study recommends better EPA labels on cost of traditional vs. hybrid, electric cars Posted: 18 Feb 2015 07:18 AM PST Small to mid-sized car consumers would be more likely to choose a hybrid or plug-in electric vehicle over a gasoline vehicle if they know the total cost of ownership instead of simply looking at five-year fuel cost comparison, researchers conclude.