Trends & Innovations - Wednesday

• Investor's Business Daily
• On 7:09 pm EDT, Wednesday October 28, 2009

Study: No lack of science grads

The U.S. is training plenty of scientists and engineers, says a study that contradicts the widespread view that there's a shortage. Researchers at Rutgers and Georgetown say the problem is that many "STEM" graduates -- meaning those who studied science, technology, engineering or math -- are increasingly being recruited into non-STEM jobs. Students may be choosing a non-STEM job because it pays better, offers a more stable professional career or is perceived as less exposed to competition from low-wage economies.

Antipsychotics tied to obesity

Up to one third of children and adolescents who took common antipsychotic drugs for the first time become overweight or obese in just 11 weeks, a study by the Seattle Children's Hospital found. Young patients taking their first antipsychotic drug -- such as Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa -- experienced a significant weight gain, raising the risk for diabetes and heart disease. Children who took Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY - News) Zyprexa had the most dramatic weight gain and biggest changes in blood sugar and cholesterol.

Room design can improve the quality of a visit to a doctor's office, says a study by the Mayo Clinic and furniture maker Steelcase (NYSE:SCS - News). Researchers tested an experimental consultation room that placed the patient and doctor side by side facing a PC screen while seated at a semicircular desk. The study found that patients felt they got better info and doctors felt they could share more data.

People are fairer and more generous when they are in clean-smelling environments, says a study set to appear in the journal Psychological Science. Scientists found a dramatic improvement in ethical behavior when just a few spritzes of citrus-scented Windex were introduced into a room. This could give employers a simple, unobtrusive way to promote ethical behavior. Surgery to remove some forehead muscles and nerves could reduce migraine headaches, according to a study by Univ. Hospitals in Cleveland. Out of 69 patients, 88% maintained their initial positive response; 29% said their migraines were gone entirely. After some muscles are removed, nerves are less compressed, reducing nerve inflammation.

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