Can lefties study be right?

Article Abstract:

The recently released findings of a study that reported left-handed people die nine years earlier, on average, than right-handed people has caused considerable discussion among psychologists and epidemiologists. It is not so much the difference that is at issue, but rather its magnitude. Some researchers find it hard to believe that a difference so great could only now come to light. The article reporting the results, presented in the April 4, 1991 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, was based on an analysis of the records from 987 Californians who died, with subjects divided into right-handed and not right-handed (the latter including those who used either hand). The average age at death for the right-handed was found to be 75; for the non-right-handed, it was 66. The differences were in the same direction for males (72 versus 62 years) and females (78 versus 73 years). Earlier research on handedness and longevity has shown that the left-handed are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases, to have been born prematurely, and to have accidents (possibly because the world is designed for the right-handed). One objection to the results is that older people who were born left-handed may have been forced as children to become right-handed, thus artificially inflating the pool of right-handed survivors. The issue can only be resolved by a large prospective study where people whose handedness is known are followed for several years. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Research, Left- and right-handedness, Handedness

---

Why the recession is still here

Article Abstract:

The Group of Seven finance ministers' failure to chart a definite and useful course of action at their Apr 1992 meeting in Washington, DC, makes a quick recovery from the current world-wide recession improbable. These ministers represent the world's top industrial countries. Although agreeing that renewed economic growth is desirable, their impractical recommendations will work against achieving it. For instance, their call for Germany to raise its taxes blunderingly ignored the realities of German politics.

Editorial, Forecasts and trends, International aspects, Economic policy, International economic relations, Recessions, Group of 7

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: EMF-cancer link still murky. Europe is urged to hold back on xenotransplant clinical trials. Clinical trials: it's still a man's world
• Abstracts: New variation on the translocation of proteins during early biogenesis of apolipoprotein B. part 2 Seasonal and diel variation in the open ocean concentration of marine snow aggregates
• Abstracts: Gold mine in East Germany? Gold in South Wales coal. Now blows the east wind

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.