Study: How to Have Better Friendships

"The study, published in Psychological Science, found people who had more knowledge of their friend's profile of triggers had better relationships, less conflict and less frustration."

Women Build Resistance to Sex Harassment

"The study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, found sexual harassment was distressing for women when they saw it as frightening but not when they saw it as bothersome."

Religiosity, Spirituality Impact Health

"A person's religiosity and spirituality independently predicts health outcomes after a collective traumatic event like Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. researchers say."

Social-Media Tools Used to Target Corporate Secrets

"Such so-called spear-phishing attacks, which often enlist social-media tools to meticulously wedge into corporate networks, are increasingly used in computer thefts that pinpoint valuable corporate data, according to a report released today by IBM’s X-Force cybersecurity team."

More College 'Hookups,' But More Virgins, Too

"But even as casual sex — often called 'hookups' or 'friends with benefits' — is a dominant part of campus life, a new report by the National Center for Health Statistics indicates the percentages of men and women 18-24 who say they are virgins also are increasing."

Ostracized Overweight Kids Eat More

"When overweight children feel left out or ostracized, they tend to eat more and exercise less, new research shows."

Virginity's Making a Comeback, Report Says

"Researchers found that between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of 15- to 24-year-old men who had never had any form of sexual contact with another person was 27 percent (up from 22 percent in 2002) while the percentage of 15- to 24-year-old females who had never had any sex whatsoever was 29 percent (up 7 percent points from 22 percent in 2002)."

Corporal Punishment Still Used in 20 States

"...corporal punishment is still alive in 20 states, according to the Center for Effective Discipline, which tracks its use in schools around the country and encourages its end."

Single Men Under 45 More Likely to Cheat on Taxes

"Sixty-four percent of people who admit to fudging their taxes were single men, and 55 percent were under 45, according to a recent survey by DDB Worldwide Communications Group."

Being Conscientious Can Be Worth $158,000

"Conscientious people are reliable, meet deadlines and pay their bills on time, which can add up to $158,000 in savings over a lifetime, U.S. researchers say."

US, Britain Insert Covert Agents into Libya: Reports

"The United States and Britain have inserted covert intelligence agents into Libya to make contact with rebels and to gather data to guide coalition air strikes, a report said Wednesday."

Death Rates of Children, Young Adults Show Reversal

"Death rates among teens and young adults aged 15 to 24 are now higher than among children aged 1 to 4 years in many countries, says a new study that shows a reversal of historical death patterns."

Study: Beautiful People Cash in on their Looks

"Money may not buy happiness, but beauty buys both money and happiness, says a study published online today that gauged happiness and attractiveness among more than 25,000 people worldwide. Economists at the University of Texas-Austin analyzed data from five large surveys conducted between 1971 and 2009 in the USA, Canada, Germany and Britain."

Federal Funding Needed for Bridge Repairs: Study

"Tens of thousands of bridges in the United States need major repair or replacement, and maintenance backlogs are growing amid tight federal and state budgets, according to a report released on Wednesday."

Study: Spare Time, Drinking Factors into School Performance

"Alongside time spent studying outside of class, alcohol consumption is the most significant predictor of a student's grade point average. It has more impact than working, watching television, online social networking — even attending class."

Study: Half of Men Don't Go to the Doctor

"About half of men ages 18 to 50 don't have a primary-care physician, and a third haven't had a checkup in more than a year, a new survey shows."

U.S. Drops to 3rd in Clean-Energy Investment: Pew

"The United States fell one spot to third place in clean-energy investment last year as the lack of a national energy policy hurt purchases in wind and solar power and other technologies, a report said on Tuesday."

Nearly 50% of Tweets Consumed are From Tiny Fraction of Twitter Users

"A mere 20,000 Twitter users steal almost half of the spotlight on Twitter, which now ropes in a billion tweets every week."

Heartbreak Hurts People Physically, Too

"The same regions of the brain that are activated when people experience pain in their bodies also become active when people feel rejected by someone they love, new research shows."

Mobile Banking is Booming, Survey Shows

"Despite online security concerns, the number of Americans who use mobile devices to access financial services is growing fast, according to new data from comScore."

China Shoots up Rankings as Science Power, Study Finds

"China is experiencing a 'meteoric rise' in the publication of scientific papers in the past two decades, and while the United States remains on top, its dominance is slipping, a new study found this week."

Study Sees 42 Disease Clusters in 13 States

"There are 42 so-called disease clusters in 13 U.S. states, showing incidence of numerous types of cancer, birth defects and other chronic illnesses, the Natural Resources Defense Council reported on Monday."

Study: Cheaters Might Be Fooling Themselves

"A growing body of research suggests that while cheaters are trying to beat the system, they're also engaging in a potentially destructive bit of self-deception, inflating their own estimates of how they'll do in the future — even if they can't cheat."

Employee Loyalty is at a Three-Year Low

"Employee loyalty is at a three-year low, but many employers are precariously unaware of the morale meltdown, according to a study out today."

U.S. Internet Piracy Is on the Decline

"Internet piracy is on the decline in the U.S., according to new research from NPD Group."

Study: More Sugar Means More Weight

"In almost 30 years, greater sugar consumption by U.S. men and women corresponded to the same upward trend in body weight, researchers say."

Religion May Become Extinct in Nine Nations, Study Says

"A study using census data from nine countries shows that religion there is set for extinction, say researchers."

Study: Big Quakes Don't Set Off Others Far Away

"A new study says big earthquakes don't set off other dangerous ones around the globe. Big quakes do trigger local aftershocks, but researchers found no sign of setting off moderate-sized events beyond about 600 miles away."

Study Finds Wind Speeds Rose Over World's Oceans

"During the last quarter-century, average wind speeds have increased over the world's oceans, as have wave heights, generating rougher seas, researchers reported in a study published online Thursday."

Music and Laughter May Help Lower Blood Pressure

"Middle-aged men and women may be able to lower their blood pressure readings by laughing more and listening to music they enjoy, new research indicates."

The E-Book Era Is Here: Best Sellers Go Digital

"E-books are by far the fastest-growing segment of the otherwise sluggish, recession-plagued publishing business. In 2010 e-book sales jumped 164%, to $441 million."

MySpace Loses Millions of Users in a Few Weeks

"Tech industry analysts comScore say figures show MySpace lost more than 10 million unique users worldwide between January and February."

Overeating May Lead to Reduced Reward from Food

"Weight gain produced a blunted response to intake of a chocolate milkshake, suggesting overeating may lead to reduced reward from food, U.S. researchers say."

Study: Love Main Source of Regret in U.S.

"Love is the chief source of regret for Americans, followed by family relations, education and career, a survey found."

Tax Season: E-Filing Becomes the New Normal

"70 percent used the government's e-file service in 2010, says IRS."

How Age Influences Investing Decisions

"Research by Stanford University and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management found evidence that older investors may be more prone to make bold moves and bad choices."

More U.S. Colleges Adding Muslim Chaplains

"No one keeps official numbers, but more than 30 Muslim chaplains work on college campuses or at private high schools around the nation, most of them part time, says Tahera Ahmad, who started at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in fall 2010 as associate chaplain and the university's first Muslim chaplain."

Census: Hispanic, Asian Populations Soar

"The nation ended the first decade of the 21st century much the same way it did a century ago: as a strikingly more diverse and less rural nation."

Household Wealth Down 23% in 2 Years - Fed

"A rare survey of U.S. households, first performed in 2007 but repeated in 2009 in order to gauge the effects of the recession, reveals the median net worth of households fell from $125,000 in 2007 to $96,000 in 2009."

Research: Frequent Churchgoers Frequently Fatter

"Young, religiously active people are more likely than their non-religious counterparts to become obese in middle age, according to new research. In fact, frequent religious involvement appears to almost double the risk of obesity compared with little or no involvement."

Hispanic Students Now Majority in Texas Public Schools

"Hispanic students are now the majority in Texas public schools, according to the state education agency."

Study: Moms, Kids More Overweight Than They Think

"Many heavy-set moms and children think they are slimmer than they actually are, a new study shows. It's a trend that pediatricians and other doctors have noticed."

Only One in Four Mobile Apps Engages User, Study Says

"The best mobile apps are not merely interesting, fun or useful, but they're engaging. And new research from the mobile metrics firm Localytics indicates that only about one in four mobile apps succeed at being engaging."

LinkedIn Hits 100 Million Members Worldwide

"LinkedIn, the online social network for professionals and job seekers, now has 100 million members worldwide and more than half are from outside the United States."

When to Cut the Deficit: Sooner or Later?

"Of the 22 economists surveyed by CNNMoney, 10 think significant cuts in spending should be made immediately. But more than half want to wait. And those who would rather wait are split evenly between when to cut: 2012 or 2013 at the earliest."

Nearly a Third of College Students Have Had Mental-Health Counseling, Study Finds

"About a third of college students have sought mental-health counseling, but they are much more likely to say they experience anxiety and stress than they are to report trouble with more-severe problems like violence or substance abuse."

Study: Cheery, Optimists Die Younger

"Personality can affect longevity -- those with the most optimism and cheerfulness die younger than their less positive counterparts, U.S. researchers found."

Report: U.K. Must Utilize Older Workers

"Workers in the United Kingdom must put off retiring if the country is to sustain its current pension system, a report indicates."

Kids Can Rebound Quickly After Mom's Depression Lifts: Study

"Successful treatment of major depression in mothers also leads to improved mental health for their children, according to a new study."

Study: Facebook “Likes” More Profitable Than Tweets

Eventbrite "announced Wednesday that an average tweet about an event drove 80 cents in ticket sales during the past six months, whereas an average Facebook Like drove $1.34."

Internet Users Turned to Social Networks in Elections, Survey Finds

"One in five adults who use the Internet, including a growing number of older, conservative Republicans, turned to social networks during last year’s elections, according to study published Thursday."

Report Finds Wide Abuses By Police in New Orleans

"Justice Department officials on Thursday released the findings of a 10-month investigation into this city’s Police Department, revealing a force that is profoundly and alarmingly troubled and setting in motion a process for its wholesale reform."

U.S. Is Urged to Raise Teachers’ Status

"To improve its public schools, the United States should raise the status of the teaching profession by recruiting more qualified candidates, training them better and paying them more, according to a new report on comparative educational systems."

U.S. Advisers: Consumers See Menthol Health Benefits

"Marketing messages have led consumers to believe menthol cigarettes may offer health benefits over regular ones, U.S. government advisers said in a draft report released on Thursday."

E-Book Sales Jump at the Start of 2011

"Sales of electronic books in January increased by more than 115 percent compared to the same time the year before, a report released by the Association of American Publishers said on Thursday."

Local News, Information are Going Mobile Big Time, Pew Survey Says

"According to new research from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, nearly half (47%) of all U.S. adults get at least some local news and information on their phone or tablet."

Women Grieve Miscarriage for Years, Even After Having a Healthy Baby

"Now, new research backs that up and goes a step further, finding that even women who go on to welcome a child after a miscarriage or stillbirth report prolonged depression and anxiety surrounding their loss."

Scientists Say Quartz is Key to Understanding Quakes

"Underground quartz deposits worldwide may be behind earthquakes, mountain building and other continental tectonics, a discovery that may aid in predicting tremblers, according to a study released on Wednesday."

Health Coverage Still Tough to Get for Individuals

"Nearly three quarters of those seeking health insurance in the U.S. individual market in recent years faced roadblocks or were turned down due to prior medical conditions, a report released on Wednesday said."

Study: 80 Percent of Children Under 5 Use Internet Weekly

"Nearly 80% of children between the ages of 0 and 5 use the Internet on at least a weekly basis in the United States, according to a report released Monday from education non-profit organizations Joan Ganz Cooney Center and Sesame Workshop."

Panel: TARP Saved Wall Street, Less Effective for Main Street

"The Congressional Oversight Panel said that the government’s rescue fund may have prevented an economic depression by sending billions of dollars to companies crippled in financial crisis that erupted in 2008. But little has been done to aid to homeowners facing foreclosure or others far from Wall Street, it said."

Death Rate Down, Life Expectancy Up in U.S.

"Children born today can expect to live longer than ever in U.S. history, according preliminary government data released Wednesday. Life expectancy at birth increased to 78.2 years in 2009, up from 78 years in 2008."

Report: Millennials Say Marriage Ideal But Parenthood the Priority

"Marriage and parenthood aren't necessarily a package deal for for Americans under the age of 30, a new survey finds. Instead, young adults say they put a higher value on raising children than getting married."

Elephants Learn Cooperation, Study Finds

"A new study shows that elephants have a talent that even many humans lack: Pachyderms can learn cooperation."

Number of Malware-Infected Sites Has Doubled Since Last Year, Study Says

"According to new statistics from security firm Dasient, the number of websites infected with malware has doubled since last year, with more than one million sites compromised during the fourth quarter of 2010."

Are You Angry at God?

"Survey Shows Up to Two Thirds of Americans Blame God in Hard Times"

A Couple's Touch Reveals More Than Affection

"A recent study finds that, apparently, romance trumps when it comes to communicating through touch. Scientists tested the idea and found that couples were better than strangers at using touch to convey feelings like envy and pride, which are considered more personal emotions that require a degree of familiarity."

Plants Hoarding Water as CO2 Rises, Study Finds

"Florida's vegetation has changed its structure over the last century in response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and ecologists see the change as a plant-based call-to-arms, heralding dry times to come."

Study: More Than Half a Million Teens Have an Eating Disorder

"In the biggest government study of its kind, researchers found that more than half a million American teenagers have an eating disorder – and many are not being treated for the problem."

The 7-Year Itch is Now the 3-Year Glitch: Study

"The 'three-year glitch' has replaced the 'seven-year itch' as the tipping point where couples start to take each other for granted, according to a new survey."

U.S. Has Highest Bipolar Rate in 11-Nation Study

"About 2.4% of people around the world have had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to the first comprehensive international figures on the topic. The United States has the highest lifetime rate of bipolar disorder at 4.4%, and India the lowest, with 0.1%."

Cartoon Characters Alter Kids' Taste in Cereal

"Cartoon characters attracting kids to unhealthy cereal is nothing new, but a new report says the characters can actually influence the kids' perception of taste."

Scientists 'Seed' Cells, Make New Organs

"In a small pilot study, published Monday in the Lancet, scientists reported successfully reconstructing urethras in five young patients, using their own cells."

More U.S. Consumers Buying Android Phones Than iPhones, BlackBerrys

"New data from Nielsen shows that slightly more U.S. consumers are buying Android phones than any other type of smartphone. Currently Android holds 29% of the US smartphone market; while the iPhone and BlackBerry hold 27% each."

Discrimination Stress Hurts Obese Health

"People who are obese are discriminated against at work and in public and this in turn creates more stress, which affects their health, U.S. researchers say."

Within 20 Years, an Alarming Water Shortage

"The world is facing a vast water shortage within the next 20 years, say scientists who are gathering in Canada this week to talk about such things. In many countries, demand will exceed supply by 40%, leaving one-third of the planet's population with only half the water they require to meet their basic needs."

6th Mass Extinction Looms But Preventable, Study Says

"Are humans causing a mass extinction on the magnitude of the one that killed the dinosaurs? The answer is yes, according to a new analysis — but we still have some time to stop it."

U.S. Dept. of Commerce: Women in America

"Women have higher graduation rates than men at all academic levels and by 2019 they are projected to account for 60 percent of all American undergraduates. In 2009, they accounted for more than half of all people employed in management and professional occupations. But at all levels of education, women still earn only 75 percent of what men earn. Those are among the nuggets contained in a new statistical compendium, Women in America, released on March 1, 2011. by the White House."

Mating Game: Too Much Choice Will Leave You Lonely

"Scientists have made a surprising discovery: The more options you have for choosing a lover, the likelier you are to end up with no-one. British investigators, in a new study released on Wednesday, looked at the strange dynamics of choice in speed-dating, a fashionable way for singles to meet."

What Bilingual Babies Reveal about the Brain

"Learning two languages at once may boost infants' brain power, researcher says."

iPad Makes a Splash with Businesses

"The iPad tablet computer has been tested or deployed at 80% of Fortune 100 companies, according to Apple. And now the company is boosting its sales support for businesses to address that growing demand, Bloomberg News reported last week."

Manufacturing Index Hits Fastest Pace in 7 Years

"The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index of manufacturing activity rose to 61.4 in February, up from 60.8 the previous month. That's the highest reading since it reached 61.4 in May 2004. The ISM's index bottomed out at 33.3 in December 2008, its lowest point in nearly 30 years."

Staying Optimistic May Keep Your Heart Healthy, Study Says

"Heart patients with a cheerier outlook about their future are more likely to be healthier down the road, new research suggests."

Conscientious and Intelligent People Live Longer

The paper, which was published recently in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest, summarizes data from millions of people studied in dozens of academic articles. The bottom line is that people who are smarter and more conscientious acquire fewer illnesses and die later than those who have the opposite traits.

Too Few Docs Tell Patients They're Overweight

"Researchers analyzed data on roughly 5,500 people who took part in government health surveys between 2005 and 2008. One-third of the obese participants and 55% of overweight participants had never been told by a doctor that they were overweight, the study found."

Study: Facebook Helps Your Self-Esteem

"A new study suggests that spending time with the online you -- the one with the hundreds of friends, the witty status updates and all the unflattering photos untagged -- might help your self-esteem."