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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 GLOSSIES 
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Do Cougars Really Spawn a Brighter Brood?

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(Newser) – "At last, science has produced the case for cougars," writes Emily Nussbaum in New York. A study analyzing more than 50,000 pregnant women found that older fathers produce progeny that score lower on concentration, memory, and learning tests. Older mothers, on the other hand, are associated with smarter children, meaning the brightest kids "must be the outcome of 45-year-old career women inseminated by their 21-year-old personal trainers."

But the study suggests the findings are due to the higher incomes and education levels of older mothers. If social factors account for women’s smarter kids, why do we assume biological factors account for dads’ dimmer offspring? In truth, because "magazine science" often jumps to whatever conclusions it wants to. "Let’s just admit that this is more about social gamesmanship than hard facts. If Us Weekly begins to print pictures of Owen Wilson with worried captions about stale sperm, would that be so bad?"

'The Graduate' cast members, Jerry Hall in the role of Mrs. Robinson, and Rider Strong starring in the role of Benjamin Braddock appear at San Francisco Virgin Megastore.
'The Graduate' cast members, Jerry Hall in the role of Mrs. Robinson, and Rider Strong starring in the role of Benjamin Braddock appear at San Francisco Virgin Megastore.   (Getty Images)
Famed cougar, Madonna.
Famed cougar, Madonna.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
'The Graduate' movie poster is seen at the Plymouth Theatre November 19, 2002 in New York City, New York.
'The Graduate' movie poster is seen at the Plymouth Theatre November 19, 2002 in New York City, New York.   (Getty Images)
Actress and qualified cougar Demi Moore arrives with her husband Ashton Kutcher for the premiere of the movie
Actress and qualified cougar Demi Moore arrives with her husband Ashton Kutcher for the premiere of the movie "Happy Tears" at the Berlinale, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
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2 comments
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AdamoGiovane
Mar 16, 09 2:05 PM CDT
There you have it! Reply
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riffran
Mar 16, 09 6:37 PM CDT
but what the article does not talk about is the incedence of downs syndrome rising in direct coorelation to age, along with a few other factors, such as decreased ability to compensate for the rigors of pregnancy should problems arise.......but hey Ashton Kutcher doesn't look like he's too bummed about his *ahem* cougar Reply
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