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Soda Linked to Cancer: Study

2 soft drinks a week could raise pancreatic cancer risk by 87%

Feb 8, 10 4:53 PM CST
HAITI EARTHQUAKE

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|NEXT STORY »

Bad Driving Is in the Genes

Study says 30% can't help being lousy on the roads

By Nick McMaster| Posted Oct 29, 09 4:37 PM CDT|

(Newser) – Certain people—perhaps up to 30% of the population—may be fated by their genetic makeup to be bad drivers, a new study suggests. Researchers tested a small group of people on a driving simulator and found that subjects with a particular gene variant weren't so hot at keeping up with the course’s twists and turns.

The gene variant that correlated to bad driving limits the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which strengthens an individual’s memory by enhancing broader cross-communication between brain areas. There’s good news for the bad drivers, though: other research suggests that the variant helps slow the degenerative effects of multiple sclerosis as well as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, LiveScience reports.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

A traffic jam in Brussels. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

These people make more errors from the get-go, and they forget more of what they learned after time away.
- Lead researcher Steven Cramer,
University of California, Irvine

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2.9.10

It’s the Sex, Stupid

2.8.10

For Me, Palin Scores

14 comments

VIEWING:

Netstorm2k10
Oct 29, 09 4:41 PM CDT

I didn't realize only thirty percent of the population were female. (JOKE) I can feel the thumbdowns rolling in already, and haven't even hit submit. You'd think, knowing the response, that I would resist. But.... Reply

IN RESPONSE:

OWLWOMANXXXX
Oct 29, 09 8:11 PM CDT

bad joke

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Oct 29, 09 8:49 PM CDT

I would think you'd resist simply because it is a stupid ASSumption, not because of a potential loss of popularity.

IN RESPONSE:

alkaseltzersammich
Oct 30, 09 1:19 PM CDT

I'm just glad you didn't invoke the chinese and women in your joke. OOPS!

| 0 minutes ago

Galileo
Oct 29, 09 4:44 PM CDT

I've always fantasized that they would add an extra lane to all roads for "good drivers." You'd have to take a new test and get the special good drivers license in order to drive in that lane. Factors which would prevent you from obtaining the license include: driving under the speed limit in the fast lane and not getting over, waiting 10 seconds to move your car once the light turns green, not accelerating when going up a hill, and doing moronic things like texting. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Oct 29, 09 8:51 PM CDT

I'd like to add one more. People will ride along happily behind another vehicle in the right lane until they see you coming in the left lane. Suddenly, they jump into the left lane, in front of you, as if they've been dying to pass that car only to take 30 minutes to pass it.

IN RESPONSE:

RepressedBySociety
Oct 30, 09 5:47 AM CDT

Don't forget never using a turn signal.

| 0 minutes ago

drlarrymitchell
Oct 29, 09 4:51 PM CDT

"Now for science's next trick, we will isolate and eradicate the dipshit gene." Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Vyridian
Oct 29, 09 9:06 PM CDT

Where can I donate to research efforts?

| 0 minutes ago

Count-Spatula
Oct 30, 09 6:48 AM CDT

NO, No study needed - The reason drivers suck on the road, is that people are naturally oblivious, and have no capacity to understand the effects of their actions upon a system. Stir in social devices, and the suction increases. People drive like they walk; oblivious. Parents used to teach children to be aware of their surroundings but that got pushed aside to grow their precious little egos. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Oct 31, 09 11:57 AM CDT

@ Count Spat - You nailed it. Obliviousness. Perfect. Thank you.

| 0 minutes ago

Count-Spatula
Oct 30, 09 6:52 AM CDT

Gallileo... other things that should prevent people from driving are - turning off into a strip mall at 2 mph, and pulling your car half into the left turn lane, thus blocking the next lane. I should be able to shoot these people. Also, the worst idea ever produced by western culture is Soccer moms in SUVs. i.e. Let's give a gender with no spatial perception the biggest vehicle on the road. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

bewilderbeast1
Oct 30, 09 6:54 AM CDT

Jeez, did y'get the detail? Not only are they terminally incapable of driving well, the buggers live forever!! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

stuck-in-paris
Oct 30, 09 10:31 AM CDT

No way is it 30%. If it is they are all here in Paris. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 14 comments »

motorists • genetic modification • brain • genes • driving • multiple sclerosis

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Bad Driving Is in the Genes