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Sisters Make People Happy

Thu, 04/02/2009 - 22:14
Submitted by Carlin Ross

I'm the middle child with an older brother and younger sister.  I knew we made his childhood ;)

Sisters spread happiness while brothers breed distress, experts believe. Researchers quizzed 571 people aged 17 to 25 about their lives and found those who grew up with sisters were more likely to be happy and balanced.

The University of Ulster said having daughters made a family more open and willing to discuss feelings. They said the influence of girls was particularly important after distressing family events such as marital break-ups. The findings are due to be presented at the British Psychological Society in Brighton on Thursday.

During the study, participants filled in psychological questionnaires which researchers used to assess a range of issues, including whether they had a positive outlook and any mental health problems. Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families.

Hot Climates Produce More Baby Girls

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 13:28
Submitted by Carlin Ross

It's more than just hot climates that produce more baby girls (so click on the title & read the entire article).  Evolution is still alive and well.  Researchers have found that in bad times, ie hot climate, war, famine etc., you're more likely to give birth to a baby girl because you want to insure at least 1 grandchild and a girl is optimal.  Conversely, in good times a boy is optimal because he may give you more grandchildren.  In the current global environment, I see alot of baby girls running around.

People who live in the tropics have more baby girls compared with those living in other parts of the world, work reveals. It may be down to the hotter weather or the longer days, says US researcher Dr Kristen Navara in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.

She says this climate may change miscarriage rates and sperm quality. Or there may be some evolutionary advantage to having more girls than boys if you live by the equator. Experts already know that the birth rates of boys and girls vary across the globe. The results could indicate an adaptive strategy employed by humans.