Typing rhythms decode stress levels
Stressed? Logging in faster just to get it over with? You are not alone. Similar to a person’s handwriting, typing rhythms become stable over time. Consequently, your typing fingerprint (the interval between pressing and releasing keys) can reveal if you are under a stressful situation.
A recent study conducted by the University of Alberta asked 35 people to sign onto a computer 36 times in separate sessions. The study recorded the subjects’ typing fingerprint after listening to sounds that are known to provoke stress (such as arguing couples and emergency sirens), and compared with their fingerprint during a calm state.
On average, stress caused users to press keys for a shorter time. The team also created software capable of identifying users solely based on their typing style. While this method of identification could detect if a user is forced to log onto a system, further research is necessary to differentiate between a stressful workday and a gunman threat.— Alexandra Irena Eremia
Source: New Scientist
The growing immensity of the universe
Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory have found 32 new exoplanets, thereby increasing the number of planets beyond the boundaries of our solar system to 400. Although the majority of the newly discovered planets ranges from five times the size of the Earth up to 10 times larger than Jupiter (the largest planet in our solar system), the discoveries further confirm the possibility of life outside our blue planet.
The discoveries were accomplished using the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher program, which sniffs out planets by detecting changes in the radial velocity of a star as it experiences gravitational tugs from the exoplanets in its vicinity. The HARPS program has also suggested that the majority of newly found planets orbit low mass, metal-deficient stars. This result poses significant constraints on the traditional beliefs that planet formation depends on metal-rich discs present around young stars.
The sheer number of exoplanets is a significant confirmation that planet formation is common, thus increasing the probability of the existence of Earth-like planets in the universe.—AIE
Source: Discovery News
Excess fat found in bone marrow of anorexics
A study published in February 2009 by researchers at the Children’s Hospital Boston found that people with anorexia nervosa have a remarkably high fat content within their bone marrow.
The findings are based on studies of MRI images of the knees, lower thigh bones, and upper shinbones of 40 women averaging age 16, half of which have anorexia and the other half being healthy.
Compared with the healthy MRI scans, radiologists determined that patients suffering from anorexia exhibited strikingly high levels of fat in their bone marrow, and had under half as much healthy red bone marrow in their knees.
A possible explanation for the increased bone marrow fat is the hormonal instability that accompanies malnutrition. Previous studies have shown that malnutrition triggers bone marrow stem cells to deviate into fat cells rather than bone-forming cells. These hormonal alterations could lead to bone fractures and the development of osteoporosis. Researchers believe that promoting fat content in the bone marrow is the body’s attempt to create insulation and energy storage at the expense of losing bone density.—Sherine Ensan
Source: Science Daily
Paying now for your future prescriptions
A rapid growth rate in spending on prescription drugs has prompted the idea of a plan in which Canadians would contribute to a fund during their working years to pay for drugs upon turning 65.
According to Mark Stabile, associate professor of Business Economics at Rotman School of Management, this rapid growth in prescription spending could cause the crowding out of other services within provincial budgets. He believes that the plan must be put into place to ensure that individuals are able to afford their prescription drugs when they retire. However, the plan poses a challenge such that healthy individuals may choose to opt out, which would undermine cost- and risk-sharing.
The benefits and disadvantages to this type of fund are being further examined in a study by the Institute for Research on Public Policy, “Providing Pharmacare for an Aging Population: Is Prefunding the Solution?”— Tahmina Nasserie
Source: News at U of T
Puppy eyes proven effective
Your young child or family pet has broken an important heirloom; you proceed with your punishment, and then notice their glossy-eyed, doleful gaze. After a trickle of emotion, you reconsider the punishment for a less severe one, but why? A recent experiment at the University of Japan has revealed that oxytocin, more commonly known as the trust hormone, may be the answer to this behavior.
The experiment observed the interaction between individuals and their dogs in 30-minute sessions. In the initial session, dog owners were allowed to interact freely with their dogs, and in the second session they were instructed to avoid the dog’s gaze. Oxytocin levels in an individual’s urine were measured both before and after the sessions. The results showed that oxytocin levels are directly correlated with the presence of the dog’s gaze.
Although in the past it was unclear whether the bonding behavior of the dog’s gaze (or that of different species) was linked with oxytocin production, this study demonstrates that such manifestations induce the trust hormone’s production.—AIE
Source: World Science
Testosterone promotes fair behaviour in women
The “manly” hormone testosterone is commonly linked to negative traits such as aggression. In contrast to this popular view, researchers have proven that testosterone in women might actually promote fair and conciliatory behaviour. However, the myths about testosterone are so overwhelming that in a recent study women behaved aggressively regardless of whether they were given a dose of testosterone.
In a study conducted at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, women were given either a pill containing testosterone or a placebo. Those who received the testosterone showed an increase in fair bargaining behaviour. On the other hand, those who were told they received testosterone, whether it was the actual pill or the placebo, began behaving more unfairly. This study demonstrates that the social perception of the hormone as a promoter of aggressiveness is enough to induce negative behaviour, despite the biological evidence which proves that the hormone should instead cause an opposite effect.—TN
Source: World Science
