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INQUIRING MINDS
Diet Pill
A drug to treat obesity may be one step closer. Stanford
researchers have discovered a mouse gene linked to appetite
and activity. Mice lacking the mahogany gene eat more and
exercise more than normal mice. Gregory Barsh, an associate
professor of genetics and pediatrics, says that some obese
patients may have a defect in the human counterpart -- the
attractin gene -- and that drugs might be developed to
correct the problem.
Eco-Strife
Environmental problems will likely cause global unrest in
coming years, according to a report by the Institute for
International Studies. Researchers led by environmental
science professor Donald Kennedy and institute director
David Holloway predict that population growth, climate
change, resource shortages and land use could spark
political turmoil.
Buy Low, Sell High
Do securities analysts really know what they're talking
about? Short answer: yes, according to a study by Business
School associate professor of accounting Maureen McNichols
and three colleagues. They found that between 1986 and 1996,
an investor who followed analysts' average recommendations
would have earned an annual return 12 percent higher than
stock indexes like the Standard & Poor's 500.
Unfortunately, transaction costs would wipe out any such
gains for small investors.
Games Patients Play
In the future, children diagnosed with diabetes may get a
video game along with instructions on diet and insulin.
Researchers at Stanford and Kaiser Permanente found that a
game designed by Mountain View-based Click Health can train
kids to better control their condition. In a six-month
trial, the 59 children with diabetes who played Packy &
Marlon needed 77 percent fewer doctor visits than those who
played a placebo game.
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