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Clarke clarifies pattern recognition theory

Recent commentary has suggested that the extent to which anomaly theories have become ingrained in the minds of academics and popular commentators alike has led to certain common assumptions and misconceptions about Clarke's pattern recognition theory of humour.

29 Mar 2009

Increasing number of Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D

Average blood levels of vitamin D appear to have decreased in the United States between 1994 and 2004, according to a report in the March 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

23 Mar 2009

Eight patterns of humour

Evolutionary theorist Alastair Clarke has published details of eight patterns he claims to be the basis of all the humour that has ever been imagined or expressed, regardless of civilization, culture or personal taste.

22 Mar 2009

FDA warning on oysters recently harvested from Mississippi area 2C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising retailers and food service operators not to offer for sale oysters harvested between Feb. 24 and March 17, 2009, from Mississippi Area 2C, located in the Mississippi Sound portion of the Gulf of Mexico near Pass Christian, Miss. Further, consumers are advised not to eat such oysters.

22 Mar 2009

New type of yogurt fights bacteria that cause gastritis and stomach ulcers

Results of the first human clinical studies confirm that a new yogurt fights the bacteria that cause gastritis and stomach ulcers with what researchers describe as almost vaccine-like effects, scientists in Japan will report here today at the 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.

22 Mar 2009

Social scientists say having kids does not increase happiness

As the nation prepares to celebrate motherhood, a University of York economist is claiming that the idea that parenting makes us happy is an illusion.

20 Mar 2009

Long-term storage of green tea lessens health benefits

Green tea leaves produce antioxidant organic compounds called catechins that reportedly have beneficial health effects, such as fighting bacteria, viruses and cancer.

20 Mar 2009

Olive oil loses some health benefits when stored for six months

That olive oil sitting on your shelf may lose up to 40 percent of its health benefits if it's been there for six months, according to a study presented in the March Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists.

20 Mar 2009

FDA issues warning on sharing insulin pens and cartridges

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to health care professionals reminding them that single-patient insulin pens and insulin cartridges should not be used to administer medication to multiple patients due to the potential risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and the hepatitis viruses.

19 Mar 2009

London murders: Stats theory shows numbers are predictable

Leading statistician Professor David Spiegelhalter claims today that the number of murders in London last year was not out of the ordinary and followed a predictable pattern.

17 Mar 2009

Health benefits of fish consumption over-dramatized

The health benefits of fish consumption have been over-dramatized and have put increased pressure on wild fish, according to a new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal ( CMAJ ).

17 Mar 2009

A new perspective on the obesity 'epidemic'

Headlines tell us the nation is getting fatter, and that obesity has become an epidemic.

16 Mar 2009

Recommendations to increase fish consumption not environmentally sustainable

Recommendations to increase fish consumption because of health benefits may not be environmentally sustainable and more research is needed to clarify the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, write Dr. David Jenkins of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and coauthors in an analysis in CMAJ http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg633.pdf.

16 Mar 2009

Health impacts of climate change require global action

The health impact of climate change is a critical issue that policy-makers should be aware of while setting priorities for action and investment to mitigate the impact of global climate change. This is the key message that WHO experts delivered at the Climate Change Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions conference in Copenhagen.

11 Mar 2009

New NYP course: Surgical approaches to the skull base

The skull base is not just a simple platform for the brain but an anatomically intricate area with an array of connections necessary to the body's essential functions.

8 Mar 2009

FDA shuts down a flour tortilla manufacturer for repeated violations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Del Rey Tortilleria Inc., Chicago, Ill., its president, and two general managers have entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction that prevents Del Rey Tortilleria from manufacturing and distributing soft-shell flour tortillas until the company obtains FDA approval.

8 Mar 2009

Authors, journal editors respond to possible cases of plagiarism identified by UT Southwestern analysis

By bringing cases of potential plagiarism out into the open, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have shed light on the peer-review process and scientific publication.

5 Mar 2009

Poll finds high support for Obama, hesitation for plans

U.S. residents have more confidence in President Obama than in some of his initiatives, such as the recently enacted economic stimulus plan and a proposal to raise taxes in order to expand health care coverage, according to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, the Journal reports.

4 Mar 2009

One-third of Americans losing sleep over the state of the U.S. economy

One-third of Americans are losing sleep over the state of the U.S. economy and other personal financial concerns, according to a new poll released today by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).

2 Mar 2009