http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (Phys.org) —More than a decade of research has shown that using a handheld or hands-free phone while driving is not safe because the brain does not have enough mental capacity to safely perform both tasks at once. http://phys.org/news289555069.html Technology Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:58:01 EST news289555069 Some species of birds reproduce not by rearing their own young, but by handing that task on to adults of other species. Known as brood parasitism, this habit has been most thoroughly researched in the cuckoo. Previous research has found, however, that the nests of martins and swallows in Europe are rarely parasitized by cuckoos. A new study by Wen Liang from the Hainan Normal University in China and his colleagues suggests that swallows build their nests close to humans to reduce their susceptibility to brood parasitism. The findings are published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. http://phys.org/news284637427.html Biology Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:57:35 EST news284637427 Texting while driving is a serious threat to public safety, but a new University of Michigan study suggests that we might not be aware of our actions. http://phys.org/news267866458.html Technology Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:21:12 EST news267866458 Chimpanzee Santino achieved international fame in 2009 for his habit of gathering stones and manufacturing concrete projectiles to throw at zoo visitors. A new study shows that Santino's innovativeness when he plans his stone-throwing is greater than researchers have previously observed. He not only gathers stones and manufactures projectiles in advance; he also finds innovative ways of fooling the visitors. The study, which was carried out at Lund University, has been published in PLoS One. http://phys.org/news255866656.html Biology Thu, 10 May 2012 11:04:47 EST news255866656 The surveyed women spend an average of 81 minutes per day on Facebook, whereas men spend 64 minutes. Low educated groups and low income groups who spend more time on Facebook also report feeling less happy and less content with their lives. This relationship between time spent on Facebook and well-being is also salient for women, but not for men. These are some of the results of Sweden's largest Facebook study ever, a project led by Leif Denti, doctoral student of psychology at the University of Gothenburg. http://phys.org/news252588891.html Other Sciences Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:36:18 EST news252588891 Software designed to assist companies in overcoming common issues associated with crystal formation may be on the market within a year. http://phys.org/news251121612.html Chemistry Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:00:17 EST news251121612 Popular media has raised the issue of repetitive and obsessive use of smartphones. Data collected in Finland and in USA presents the first scientific evidence for what the authors dubbed "checking habits": repetitive checks of the menu screen, news, email, contacts, and social applications on the device. A typical checking lasts less than 30 seconds and involves opening the screen lock and accessing a single application. http://phys.org/news230806139.html Technology Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:52:45 EST news230806139 A new, versatile strawberry has been introduced for home gardeners. 'Roseberry' is predicted to be very popular as an ornamental addition to gardens. The strawberry features attractive pink blooms and produces sweet, aromatic fruit all summer long. Because it produces flowers and fruits on stolons before they root, 'Roseberry' works equally well in hanging baskets and when planted as groundcover. 'Roseberry' premiered in HortScience. http://phys.org/news228751039.html Biology Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:57:29 EST news228751039 A European research group has studied how smoking habits are transmitted within the home. The results show that, in homes where both parents are present, there is a significant degree of inter-generational transmission of smoking habits between parents and children, particularly between individuals of the same gender. http://phys.org/news215434610.html Other Sciences Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:57:04 EST news215434610 Most people have habits that guide them through daily life -- for example, their path to work in the morning, or their bedtime routine. The brain patterns that drive this behavior are not well-understood, but a new study from MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research shows that habit formation appears to be an innate ability that is fine-tuned by experience -- specifically, the costs and rewards of certain choices. http://phys.org/news207301163.html Medicine & Health Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:39:46 EST news207301163 It's been 18 excruciating hours since you last had one. You're irritable, stressed out, and the cravings are intense. There is only one thing you can think about firing up - and it isn't your treadmill. But that's exactly what University of Western Ontario researchers have been hard at work trying to convince smokers to do. http://phys.org/news183132949.html Medicine & Health Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:50:06 EST news183132949 Tonya Moraffah takes a deep drag on her cigarette, feels the soothing surge of nicotine and explains what extinguished her 30-year, pack-a-day smoking habit. http://phys.org/news172860742.html Medicine & Health Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:00:01 EST news172860742 (PhysOrg.com) -- A new study shows how the behaviour of dogs has been misunderstood for generations: in fact using misplaced ideas about dog behaviour and training is likely to cause rather than cure unwanted behaviour. The findings challenge many of the dominance related interpretations of behaviour and training techniques suggested by current TV dog trainers. http://phys.org/news162132911.html Biology Thu, 21 May 2009 13:55:40 EST news162132911 Addictive behaviour is determined by conscious, rapid thought processes, not necessarily by the content of visual stimuli as previously thought according to research funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). http://phys.org/news160214377.html Medicine & Health Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:00:40 EST news160214377 People have always been fascinated by bats, but the scope of that interest generally is limited to how bats fly and their bizarre habit of sleeping upside down. Until now, no one had studied how bats arrive at their daytime perches. http://phys.org/news156774728.html Biology Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:32:41 EST news156774728 With New Year's resolutions still fresh, here's some advice from local therapists on putting bad habits to rest: http://phys.org/news150733278.html Medicine & Health Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:21:18 EST news150733278