My picks from ScienceDaily

Fresh Fossil Evidence Of Eye Forerunner Uncovered:

Ancient armoured fish fossils from Australia present some of the first definite fossil evidence of a forerunner to the human eye, a scientist from The Australian National University says.

Parents Show Bias In Sibling Rivalry, Says Study:

Most parents would hotly deny favouring one child over another but new research suggests they may have little choice in the matter.

Lack Of Deep Sleep May Increase Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes:

Suppression of slow-wave sleep in healthy young adults significantly decreases their ability to regulate blood-sugar levels and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, report researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Giraffes And Frogs Provide More Evidence Of New Species Hidden In Plain Sight:

Two new articles provide further evidence that we have hugely underestimated the number of species with which we share our planet. Today sophisticated genetic techniques mean that superficially identical animals previously classed as members of a single species, including the frogs and giraffes in these studies, could in fact come from several distinct 'cryptic' species.

Violent Sex Acts Boost Insect's Immunity System:

The long-held idea that only vertebrates have sophisticated adaptive immune systems that can protect them for life against many pathogens after being infected by them just once has been revised in recent years. It turns out that many insects also have a form of immune memory that protects them against reinvasion by a pathogen they have previously encountered. This research was discussed at a conference on Innate Immunity and the Environment.

Nurses Working Extended Shifts, Are Tired At Work And Sleep Little Likely To Drive Drowsy:

Hospital staff nurses who work extended hours, work at night, struggle to remain awake at work, or obtain less sleep are more likely to experience a drowsy driving episode, according to a study published in the December 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Childhood Sleep-disordered Breathing Disproportionately Affects Obese And African-Americans:

As the obesity epidemic grows in the U.S., doctors are discovering more and more far reaching health concerns for overweight children. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), which can include various sleep behaviors ranging in severity from snoring to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), disproportionately affects children who are overweight and African- American, according to a new study published in the December 2007 edition of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can pose serious health threats, including hypertension and higher risk for cardiac disease.

Restless Legs Syndrome Doubles Risk Of Stroke And Heart Disease, Study Shows:

People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart disease compared to people without RLS, and the risk is greatest in those with the most frequent and severe symptoms, according to new research.

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