Autism Much More Common Than We Thought: CDC

Weird clothing, athletes, and klutzes top list

(NEWSER) - Watch what you're doing in public, America: Someone may be watching you—with a smartphone. In a new survey, 50% of American adults say they would take a secret video with their smartphone, the Baltimore Sun reports. Queried on their favorite subjects, their answers included: More»

Women feel overworked amid gains in economic clout

(NEWSER) - Women are gaining economic clout, but they’re also feeling overburdened, a survey of 12,000 women in 21 countries finds. Women spend some 70% of consumer dollars globally and are set to produce 70% of household income growth in the next 5 years—meaning entrepreneurs who can help them deal with stress stand to reap huge profits, the Christian Science Monitor reports. More»

You replace half of old friends with new ones every 7 years: study

(NEWSER) - It might not be so on Facebook, but the size of people’s actual social networks stays about the same throughout life, LiveScience reports. Most people replace half their friends every 7 years, a survey of 1,000 people finds. The study—which also notes that people often make new friends through familiar means—contradicts previous research that said social networks are shrinking. More»

(NEWSER) - Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel have been found in several brands of powdered baby formula, according to a CDC study. The chemical, perchlorate, has also been found in several cities’ water supplies; if that water is combined with contaminated formula, it could exceed the level of perchlorate that’s considered safe for adults, the AP reports. More»

MMR shot not guilty, say researchers

(NEWSER) - A new study concludes that a childhood vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella is not linked to autism, reports the Washington Post. Researchers studied bowel biopsies from 38 autistic children and found no link between the vaccine and the digestive problems often associated with autism. The results, which contradict the findings of an earlier study, come amid a federal investigation on the controversial topic. More»