Rigging up infrared-for sex
Despite what popular teen flicks tell us about sex, a study conducted by scientists at McGill University has shown that women respond to a sexual stimulus just as fast as men. The experiment was conducted on subjects who were shown a variety of videos from pornography to Mr. Bean episodes, while infrared cameras detected changes in the subjects’ body temperature. The method, called thermal imaging, measures the amount of heat emitted from an object, in this case, the subject’s body. McGill scientists advocate thermal imaging as a gauge for sexual arousal because it is much less invasive than previous techniques that require genital manipulation. Thermal imaging allows for a better comparison between males and females since the measurements for both are taken through the same method. Both females and males showed arousal within 30 seconds, challenging the myth that women are slower to react to sexual stimuli than men.
Source: McGill University news service
-Jennifer Huen
Smart kids play fair?
According to a recent study, children who attend a public, inner-city Montessori school develop better social and academic skills than those attending traditional schools. The study looked at two groups of children from similar low-income classes who were randomized through a lottery process to attend either the Montessori school or other schools with more traditional methods. In comparing the academics of the two groups, the Montessori children had significantly better reading and math skills and produced essays that were rated as “more creative.” The Montessori students also demonstrated a greater sense of justice and fairness and were more likely to engage in emotionally positive play with peers than act in aggressive and rough play. The researchers plan to continue tracking students from both groups to evaluate the long-term effects of a Montessori versus a traditional education.
Source: Science
-Mayce Al-Sukhni
