This press release is available in German. In a widely noticed study, developmental psychologists reported that 14-month-old infants imitate an unusual action if it was chosen deliberately by the person they observed, but not if it could be attributed to external constraints. This selective imitation was put forth as evidence for an early understanding of rational action and action goals. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig now present a much simpler explanation for the finding. A replication study revealed that ...

Forget the fact of there being "9 million bicycles in Beijing, that's not a fact. Indeed, motor vehicle traffic is fast becoming a big problem that has led to unsustainable pollution and draconian rules in some parts of the city. Now, Nan Ji of the Hebei United University in China and colleagues have developed an algorithm to help traffic planners optimize the flow of traffic across roundabouts. Writing in the International Journal of Innovative Computing and Applications, Ji and colleagues at the Tangshan Tanggang Expressway Management Office and Tian Jin Polytechnic ...

A radical new approach to innovation is urgently needed to ensure a fair and green economy and avoid reversing progress made on global poverty reduction, according to leading scientists. Ahead of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, the ESRC STEPS Centre calls on negotiators to rethink the way science and innovation can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are likely to emerge from Rio. Rio+20 is a golden opportunity to enhance the role that science, technology and innovation of many kinds can play in building ...

A study of more than 18,000 children across England found that embedding mental health support in schools as part of the Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TaMHS) programme led to greater improvements in self-reported behavioural problems among primary pupils. The benefits were even more pronounced where schools also provided pupils with self-help leaflets explaining how children could help themselves if they were feeling stressed or troubled. The three year longitudinal study followed children in 25 local authorities across England and also found that tools designed ...

A chemistry team at the University of Toronto has discovered environmentally-friendly iron-based nanoparticle catalysts that work as well as the expensive, toxic, metal-based catalysts that are currently in wide use by the drug, fragrance and food industry. "It is always important to strive to make industrial syntheses more green, and using iron catalysts is not only much less toxic, but it is also much more cost effective," said Jessica Sonnenberg, a PhD student and lead author of a paper published this week in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The research, ...

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Tourism spending in Michigan jumped a surprising 8 percent in 2011 and should increase by a healthy 6 percent clip this year, reflecting the ongoing economic recovery, Michigan State University researchers said in their annual tourism report. Michigan's $17-billion-a-year tourism market – one of the state's largest industries – should have a "very strong" 2012, said Dan McCole, assistant professor of tourism. "As long as the weather is good – and that's always the big 'if' – I think we're going to see a very strong year for tourism," McCole said. McCole ...

Seoul is to become a hotbed of classical music performances in April when the 2012 Orchestra Festival takes place for the 24th time.   The annual event will see 18 symphony orchestras from around the country giving a series of performances, as well as two college orchestras, the Unpa Memorial orchestra and Korea's version of the El Sistema Aloysius Orchestra.   Running from April 1st to 24th, the shows will be held at the Seoul Arts Center's concert hall, with pieces from composers such as Wagner, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Elgar and more ...

CHICAGO -- Patients with coronary heart disease and their doctors have long been challenged by the decision of whether to pursue bypass surgery or opt for the less-invasive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, which includes stenting and balloon angioplasty). New evidence reveals bypass surgery appears to carry a higher long-term survival rate, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to ...

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will be holding its 2012 Thailand Junior and Cadet Open tournament from May 5th to 9th.   Taking place at the Pattaya Sports Stadium, it is the first ever ITTF Premium Junior Circuit event to be held in Thailand and will see up to 170 players - including local star Tamolwan Khetkuen - taking part in competitive matches.   Singles, doubles and team events will be taking place in the junior and cadet categories, as well as singles events in the Hopes category.   Competitors will be playing for a chance to win their share ...

CHICAGO -- Cardiac computed tomography angiography scans (CT scans that look at the heart) can provide a virtually instant verdict on whether chest pain is from blockage of the coronary arteries. When used early to evaluate chest pain, the scans save patients and hospitals time and money by allowing doctors to quickly determine who should be admitted for treatment for a heart attack and who can be safely sent home, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular ...

CHICAGO -- Paramedics can reduce someone's chances of having a cardiac arrest or dying by 50 percent by immediately administering a mixture of glucose, insulin and potassium ("GIK") to people having a heart attack, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field. The study showed that patients who received GIK immediately after being diagnosed with acute coronary ...

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. -- Life deep in the seabed proceeds very slowly. But the slow-growing bacteria living many meters beneath the seafloor play an important role in the global storage of organic carbon and have a long-term effect on climate. A team of scientists from Aarhus University (Denmark) and the University of Rhode Island have developed a new method for measuring this slow life deep down in the seabed. Their findings were published last week in the journal Nature. According to URI Oceanography Professor Arthur Spivack, the relative abundance of amino acids ...

Vicki attended the Legacy Master Mind Event conducted by top internet marketers, the Loyal 9 Revolution and Team Rashkin for small business owners from all over the country. Hands on training covered this week end included internet advertising, ad content, use of videos for marketing and writing press releases. Current internet marketing methods are constantly changing. Master mind events like this should be a standard item in a small business budget. Loyal 9 Revolution and Team Rashkin are Marketing Mentors with Pro U which is the longest standing and most successful ...

We've all heard about the stress experienced by victims of 9/11, but have we ever paused to think about the effect of those terrorist attacks on mental health clinicians who provided care to the victims? A new study by Mary Pulido, Ph.D., from the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the US, provides a sobering account of what it was like for these professionals and reports on the lack of support they received. Her exploratory study, published in Springer's Clinical Social Work Journal, highlights the critical need to develop training and expand ...

CHICAGO -- Pulmonary embolism -- the sudden blockage of an artery in the lung -- is estimated to cause over 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Although thrombolytics, or "clot-buster" drugs, are currently reserved to treat only the most severe cases of pulmonary embolism, new data suggest that when used at lower doses, these drugs are also safe and effective for more common, moderate cases of pulmonary embolism, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular ...

Lennox Hill Ltd today announces the launch of version 2.0 of its Complaints Handling module as part of its long term plan of continuously adding features and modules to its online isoTracker Quality Management Software. The upgrade to the Customer Complaints module is intended to give it an enterprise potential with greater flexibility, additional features and improved reports. This upgrade comes shortly after the launch of a Competency Testing module in September 2011 and an upgrade to the Document Control module in January 2012. The upgrade to the Complaints module ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. – As loved ones age and face challenges that prevent them from living on their own, family members often struggle with the decision to place their relatives in nursing homes. Sometimes viewed as last alternatives, long-term care facilities can have reputations as hopeless, institutionalized environments. Now, those negative perceptions are changing, say two University of Missouri researchers in the Sinclair School of Nursing. After conducting a statewide survey of Missouri nursing homes, the researchers found that nearly 90 percent of nursing home residents ...

(Boston) - Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Fenway Health have found that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) does not completely suppress HIV in the semen of sexually active HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). The findings, which currently appear on-line in AIDS, could indicate a potential transmission risk in MSM, who are highly susceptible to HIV infection. Approximately 33.3 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, and 1.8 million deaths and 2.6 million new infections occur annually. Unprotected intercourse ...

Infinet Financial Systems (IFS) has been selected by Nine Masts Capital as the supplier of a new fully IP-based voice trading system for its trading room in Central, Hong Kong. As part of Nine Mast Capital expansion and relocation project, the company reviewed their voice trading requirements with a view to increase the level of functionality available and to establish a platform for future growth. "We were looking for a way to enhance our interface with our brokers while streamlining our overall communication system. We evaluated a wide variety of options and ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Accusations of racism accompanying the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent actions of Florida police are prevalent in the national media this week. Many are questioning the psychological motivations of everyone involved. Recent research by University of Missouri Professor of Psychological Sciences Bruce D. Bartholow has shown that consuming alcohol can lead to increased expression of racial bias. A new study by Bartholow and his colleague, Elena Stepanova of Florida Gulf Coast University, shows that simply being exposed to alcohol-related images ...

A late stage liver condition, known as minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), is associated with impaired driving skills and greater risk of motor vehicle accidents. Cost analysis of management strategies for detection and treatment of MHE are published in the April issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Findings report that MHE diagnosis using the inhibitory control test followed by treatment with lactulose was the most cost-effective approach--preventing the most car accidents and reducing societal cost by up to $3.6 ...

New research funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 20.1 million individuals were infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 across 9 world regions in 2005. According to findings available in the April issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, there were 3.4 million symptomatic cases, 70,000 deaths, and 3,000 stillbirths from HEV that year in countries throughout Asia and Africa. Unlike hepatitis virus B and C strains that lead to chronic disease ...

Access Technology Solutions (ATS), a strategic growth partner for TriVita's 10/100 International Expansion Program is announcing the smooth launch of phase one of the global nutraceutical industry leader's program to bring health and wellness products and education to 100 countries during the next 10 years. Access TS provided TriVita with the cross-border commerce technologies and international shipping and logistics services that have facilitated its move into ten key international markets. In Europe, Trivita's phase one markets are the United Kingdom, France, Germany, ...

Using LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings increases revenue generated by bank branches even when they offer the same products and services, according to a new study coauthored by University of Notre Dame management professors Edward Conlon and Ante Glavas. In their study of 562 PNC branches (93 LEED, 469 non-LEED), "The Relationship between Corporate Sustainability and Firm Financial Performance," Conlon and Glavas found that PNC employees who work in LEED-certified branches are more productive and engaged in their work. Although ...

Middle school boys rated reading more valuable as an activity after two months of using an e-reader, according to a new study. The findings come from a study of 199 middle school students who struggle with reading and who participated in a reading improvement class that included Amazon's Kindle e-reader, said one of the study's authors, Dara Williams-Rossi, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. The researchers found that boys consistently had a higher self-concept of their reading skill than girls both before and after using the e-readers. After use of the e-readers, ...