ScienceDaily: Conflict News

Cancer and birth defects in Iraq: The nuclear legacy

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:55:55 EDT

Ten years after the Iraq war of 2003 a team of scientists based in Mosul, northern Iraq, have detected high levels of uranium contamination in soil samples at three sites in the province of Nineveh which, coupled with dramatically increasing rates of childhood cancers and birth defects at local hospitals, highlight the ongoing legacy of modern warfare to civilians in conflict zones.

Repeat brain injury raises soldiers' suicide risk

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:39:39 EDT

Suicide risk is higher among military personnel with more lifetime TBIs, even after controlling for clinical symptom severity. Results of the study show that multiple TBIs, which are common among military personnel, may contribute to increased risk for suicide.

Why family conflict affects some children more than others

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:28:28 EDT

New research reveals why some children are badly affected by negative family conflicts while other children survive without significant problems. Researchers found that the way in which children understood the conflicts between their parents had different effects on their emotional and behavioral problems. Where children blamed themselves for the conflicts between their parents, they were more likely to have behavioral problems, such as anti-social behavior. But if their parents' fighting or arguing led to a child feeling threatened, or fearful that the family would split up, the child was more likely to experience emotional problems, such as depression.

Teen girls who exercise are less likely to be violent

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:54:54 EDT

Regular exercise is touted as an antidote for many ills, including stress, depression and obesity. Physical activity also may help decrease violent behavior among adolescent girls, according to new research.

Camaraderie of sports teams may deter bullying, violence

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:37:37 EDT

As schools around the country look for ways to reduce violence and bullying, they may want to consider encouraging students to participate in team sports, according to a new study.

Experts to focus on the science of gun safety

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:32:32 EDT

Pediatric leaders and researchers tackled the complex and often politically charged subject of gun violence.

Violent video games have lower effects on highly-exposed teens

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Teenagers who are highly exposed to violent video games —- three or more hours per day -— show blunted physical and psychological responses to playing a violent game, reports a new study.

Leadership emerges spontaneously during games

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:24:24 EDT

Video game and augmented-reality game players can spontaneously build virtual teams and leadership structures without special tools or guidance, according to researchers.

Poor parenting -- including overprotection -- increases bullying risk

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:40:40 EDT

Children who are exposed to negative parenting -- including abuse, neglect but also overprotection -- are more likely to experience childhood bullying by their peers, according to a meta-analysis of 70 studies of more than 200,000 children.

Link between school climate and violence confirmed

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:14:14 EDT

Schools may be a step closer towards the development of effective strategies to prevent violent behavior. New research shows that there is a direct link between school climate and school violence.

Children routinely injured or killed by guns, U.S. study shows; Access to loaded, unlocked firearms remains a problem

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:19:19 EDT

While gun control issues usually surface after major incidents like the fatal shooting of 20 elementary school students in Newtown, Connecticut, a new U.S. study shows that children are routinely killed or injured by firearms.

Should doctors be involved in the concealed-weapons permit process?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:55:55 EDT

Experts have discussed the medical, ethical, and legal concerns about physician involvement in concealed weapons permits. They argue that standards, protocols and new policies are needed for physicians to adequately assess a patient’s physical or mental competency in concealed-weapons permitting.

Mindfulness therapy might help veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EDT

A new study shows that veterans with PTSD who completed a mindfulness-based group treatment plan showed a significant reduction in symptoms as compared to patients who underwent treatment as normal.

Adaptable leaders may have best brains for the job

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:21:21 EDT

Effective leaders’ brains may be physically “wired” to lead, offering the promise of more precise identification and training, according to new studies.

Public support can influence soldiers' mental health, bug killing study suggests

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:45:45 EDT

Can events supporting troops reduce the risk of soldiers experiencing combat-related stress disorders? A new study suggests so.

For Wikipedia users, being 'Wikipedian' may be more important than political loyalties

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:02:02 EDT

Wikipedia users who proclaim their political affiliations within the online community consider their identity as "Wikipedian" stronger than potentially divisive political affiliations, according to new research.

Few effective, evidence-based interventions to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder, review finds

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:01:01 EDT

A new review summarizes the results of a systematic review of clinical interventions for adults exposed to at least one traumatic event such as war, a natural or human-made disaster, motor vehicle accidents, community violence, sexual assault or domestic violence.

Stop 'bad guys with guns' by implementing good policies

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:50:50 EDT

The National Rifle Association has put forward a National Shield School Proposal which supports the placement of armed security in all schools. A new review attempts to find a balanced and unbiased view of the facts within this heated and emotional debate.

Finnish children sent to Sweden to avoid war suffered more than those who stayed

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:11:11 EDT

Finnish war children, that is, Finnish children who were evacuated to safety in Sweden during the second world war, faced greater hardships than children who remained in Finland, a new study suggests. In particular, there are marked differences in the risk for heart diseases and diabetes as well as in the prevalence of mental health problems.

After Newtown: A new use for a weapons-detecting radar?

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:20:20 EDT

In the aftermath of the Newtown school shooting, an engineering professor envisions a new use for a weapons-detecting radar system he's been developing for the past few years.

Children of deployed parents at higher risk for alcohol, drug use

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:53:53 EDT

A statewide survey of sixth-, eighth-, and 11th-grade Iowa students found that children of deployed or recently returned military parents had an increased risk for alcohol use, binge drinking, and using marijuana, compared to children in non-military families. The study also found that when parental deployment resulted in a child not living with a parent or relative, the risk of binge drinking and marijuana use was even higher.

Violent video games are a risk factor for criminal behavior and aggression, new evidence shows

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:16:16 EDT

New evidence demonstrates a link between video games and youth violence and delinquency. The research shows a strong connection even when controlling for a history of violence and psychopathic traits among juvenile offenders.

Modest changes in military dining facilities promoted healthier eating

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:53:53 EDT

The prevalence of obesity within the military is currently 13 percent. This rising epidemic, also rampant throughout the general population, could result in military career setbacks, negatively impact operational readiness, and jeopardize Department of Defense operations. To combat the epidemic, a team of researchers chose the military cafeteria as the venue to observe and evaluate eating behavior and the positive impact of modest changes to promote healthy eating and food selection.

Conservationists call for radical change to ‘war on poaching’

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Widespread extinction of highly endangered and valued species will occur without a radical change to the way the wildlife trade is being handled across the world, according to conservation scientists.

Political strife undermines HIV treatment

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:20:20 EDT

Among other tragedies in countries with HIV epidemics, political violence can have the additional long-term consequence of an increase in viral resistance to treatment and HIV treatment failure, say experts. The researchers, who have studied post-strife treatment failure and resistance in Kenya, argue that officials and health care providers need to study and prepare for how violence disrupts antiretroviral treatment and complicates the epidemic.

Texans not eager to change gun laws

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:39:39 EST

Poll shows large majority of Texans support background checks for all gun purchases, but they are not eager to change existing gun laws.

People with mental illness at highly increased risk of being murder victims, study suggests

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:04:04 EST

People with mental disorders have a highly increased risk of being victims of homicide, a large study suggests.

Shadows over data sharing

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:06:06 EST

Experience gained from data sharing during the human genome sequencing project could apply to the broader research community. Experts look at the history of the debates surrounding data access during and after the human genome "war".

Catfight? Workplace conflicts between women get bad rap

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:22:22 EST

A new study suggests troubling perceptions exist when it comes to women involved in disputes at work.

Scrap 'unwinnable' drugs war and divert funds into curbing global antibiotic misuse, experts say

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:49:49 EST

Governments around the world should stop squandering resources fighting an "unwinnable war" against illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Instead, they should use the cash to curb antibiotic misuse, which poses a far more serious threat to human health, claims a leading ethicist.

Could a computer on the police beat prevent violence?

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:41:41 EST

As cities work to reduce violence in tight budget times, new research shows how they might be able to target their efforts and police attention on areas prone to violence – with the help of high-powered computers and loads of data on crime, alcohol availability and drug markets.

Teaching teens that people can change reduces aggression in school

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:05:05 EST

In eight studies involving more than 1,600 diverse 8th-10th grade students, researchers show that teenagers who believe people can't change react more aggressively to a peer conflict than those who think people can change. Following these studies, researchers developed a brief intervention that taught teens that people have the potential to change. The intervention reduced the teens' tendency to see the offense as having been done on purpose, and reduced their desire for aggressive revenge.

Gun violence prevention experts call for more physician involvement

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:20:20 EST

A new commentary calls for more physician engagement in the current gun policy dialogue.

Predictions of the human cost of climate change

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:53:53 EST

Scientists predict a grim future for billions of people by 2050 if climate change issues are not addressed now.

Tendency to fear is strong political influence

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:37:37 EST

Fear can play a role in influencing political attitudes on hot-button issues like immigration, according to new research. The study shows that individuals who are genetically predisposed to fear tend to have more negative out-group opinions, which play out politically as support for policies like anti-immigration and segregation.

Active duty military personnel prone to sleep disorders and short sleep duration

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:44:44 EST

A new study found a high prevalence of sleep disorders and a startlingly high rate of short sleep duration among active duty military personnel. The study suggests the need for a cultural change toward appropriate sleep practices throughout the military.

Homicide-suicides unrelated to social class, Swiss study shows

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:24:24 EST

Homicide-suicides in households occur across all social classes in Switzerland. A new study reveals that life stressors, such as divorce, temporary residency status, or cramped living conditions, are risk factors. The rate at which these offenses are committed, mostly by men with firearms, has been steady over the last twenty years.

Majority of Americans support dozens of policies to strengthen U.S. gun laws

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:39:39 EST

The majority of Americans support a broad array of policies to reduce gun violence, according to a new national public opinion survey.

Penicillin, not the pill, may have launched the sexual revolution

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:29:29 EST

The rise in risky, non-traditional sexual relations that marked the swinging '60s and advent of readily available contraception actually began as much as a decade earlier, during the conformist '50s, suggests a new analysis. The analysis strongly indicates that the widespread use of penicillin, leading to a rapid decline in syphilis during the 1950s, is what launched the modern sexual era.

Gun control: Focus on manufacturers, not just buyers, study shows

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:43:43 EST

As the gun control debate continues, an expert says the focus should be on those who distribute guns, not solely on those who buy them.

People seek high-calorie foods in tough times

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:32:32 EST

Bad news about the economy could cause you to pack on the pounds, according to a new study. The study shows that when there is a perception of tough times, people tend to seek higher-calorie foods that will keep them satisfied longer.

Poll: Youth attitudes on 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:52:52 EST

On the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade, more young people identify as “pro-choice” rather than “pro-life,” according to a national poll of more than 4,000 high school and college students. Little fear of overturn of decision according to poll of high school and college students.

A French nuclear exit?

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:09:09 EST

France has been held up, worldwide, as the forerunner in using nuclear fission to produce electricity. However, a third of the nation's nuclear reactors will need replacing in the next decade, and public opinion has shifted toward reducing reliance on nuclear power.

Comprehensive public health approach urged to curb gun violence in U.S.

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:09:09 EST

In the wake of the horrific school shootings in Newtown, Conn. in December, three experts say the best way to curb gun violence in the U.S. is to take a broad public health approach, drawing on proven, evidence-based strategies that have successfully reduced other public health threats like smoking, car crashes, and accidental poisonings. The authors make the case for a comprehensive public health approach to gun violence in an article published online Jan. 7, 2013 in JAMA.

Broader background checks and denial criteria could help prevent mass shooting catastrophes, experts say

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:47:47 EST

A gun violence prevention expert and emergency medicine physician, believes broader criteria for background checks and denials on gun purchases can help prevent future firearm violence, including mass shooting catastrophes such as those that occurred at Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech and Columbine.

People with mental disorders more likely to have experienced domestic violence

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:30:30 EST

Men and women with mental health disorders, across all diagnoses, are more likely to have experienced domestic violence than the general population, according to new research.

School shootings: What we know and what we can do

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:27:27 EST

School shootings at elementary, secondary and higher education institutions have been a painful reality for American society. But can anything realistically be done to prevent these horrific crimes? A new article attempts to parse out what we have learned from past events, and what we can do about stopping the next attack.

Reappraisal defuses strong emotional responses to Israel-Palestine conflict

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:15:15 EST

Reappraisal is a widely-used cognitive strategy that can help people to regulate their reactions to emotionally charged events. Now, new research suggests that reappraisal may even be effective in changing people's emotional responses in the context of one of the most intractable conflicts worldwide: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Relocating elephants fails to decrease human–wildlife conflict: Technique meant to keep animals and humans safe has opposite effects

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:09:09 EST

Human–elephant conflict in Sri Lanka kills more than 70 humans and 200 Asian elephants every year. One of the most common tools in combating these conflicts is moving the elephants into ranges away from humans, often into national parks. This is done in hopes of avoiding problems that include elephants raiding crops, breaking into homes and injuring or killing people.

Will climate change cause water conflict?

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:09:09 EST

Climate change plays a secondary role in the origin or aggravation of social conflicts linked to water. Political discourses must avoid directly linking climate change with social conflict and human insecurity, without taking into account other political and socio-economic factors.

Violence in Mali threatening survival of endangered elephants

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:32:32 EST

Researchers have revealed the secrets of survival of an endangered population of African elephant in the unforgiving Sahara desert. The elephants have the biggest range in the world, the study showed, but recent violence in Mali may now be putting the animals at risk.

Before 'Skyfall': 46 years of violence in James Bond movies

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:37:37 EST

Violent acts in James Bond films were more than twice as common in "Quantum of Solace" (2008) than in the original 1962 movie "Dr. No," researchers have found.

Youth violence declining in United Kingdom, study finds

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:12:12 EST

Physical violence among young people is on the decline overall in nearly thirty countries including the UK, according to a new international study.

Dressing U.S. troops to safeguard against insect attacks

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:16:16 EST

Outfitting soldiers with clothing that effectively repels or kills insects is one of the strategies U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are using to help protect US military personnel deployed overseas against disease-transmitting mosquitoes and sand flies.

From rabbits in Congo, a jump in kids' health

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:17:17 EST

For children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rabbits are more than furry pets. They are symbol of resilience as the basis of a microfinance program aimed at improving youth health and social outcomes.

How to buy an ethical diamond

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:30:30 EST

The holidays are a busy time for engagements, and an expert in corporate responsibility, says socially minded consumers have a lot to think about when it comes to finding the right rock.

A more peaceful world awaits, statistical analysis suggests

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 09:38:38 EST

Statistical analyses show that the world will be more peaceful in the future. In about 40 years only half as many countries will be in conflict. The decrease will be greatest in the Middle East, a statistical model suggests.

Military should reassess reproductive health care for women, researcher argues

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:29 EST

Noting that active-duty servicewomen have higher rates of unintended pregnancy than the general population and lower reported contraception use, one researcher is suggesting the answer might be a review of the health care offered to females in the military and veterans.

Naïve fish: Easy targets for spear fishers

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:25:25 EST

Big fish that have grown up in marine reserves don't seem to know enough to avoid fishers armed with spear guns waiting outside the reserve. The latest research by an Australian team working in the Philippines into the effects of marine reserves has found there is an unexpected windfall awaiting fishers who obey the rules and respect reserve boundaries -- in the form of big, innocent fish wandering out of the reserve.

Once the conflict is over, solidarity in alliances goes out of the window

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:35:35 EST

Anyone who competes or is at war should be careful when entering alliances. Above all this applies when there is booty to be shared afterwards.