Children whose mothers used cell phones frequently during pregnancy are more likely to have behavior problems, especially if they themselves are cell phone users.

A team of scientists looked at a group of more than 13,000 children. When the children reached age 7, mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire about their own cell phone use in pregnancy and their child’s use of cell phones, as well as their children’s behavior and health.

Children with both prenatal and postnatal cell phone exposure were 80 percent more likely to have emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, or problems with peers. Children who were only exposed prenatally also had a higher likelihood of behavior problems, but not as high as those who were also cell phone users.

An appealing voice is a turn-on for many. But now there is strong evidence that an “attractive” voice serves a purpose: to draw people to the most genetically fit potential mates.

In a recent study, researchers showed that the human voice is an indicator of desirable yet difficult to perceive physiological and mental strengths.

Scientists measured the hands, elbows, wrists and fingers of 76 men and women between the ages of 18 to 34 to take stock of their “bilateral body symmetry.” Research has already demonstrated that those with more symmetrical bodies are often more fertile, less susceptible to illness and less likely to carry genetic anomalies.

The volunteers were asked to count from one to 10 into a voice recorder, and over 100 undergraduates listened to the recordings and rated the voices on a scale from 1 to 7. The people with greater “bilateral body symmetry” also had the highest-rated voices.

Science has found a solid mind-body connection after all! I can’t say I’m surprised they found the connection, but what took them so long?! However, there is both good news and bad news. Good news: they found a mind-body connection! Bad news: they want to develop a drug to mask the effect of the stress hormone cortosol instead of reducing stress! You can be totally stressed out but not be affected by it - but wait until you see the list of side-effects (which might be revealed a year or two a

Despite myriad studies showing no increased cancer risk from up to 20 years of cell phone use, some scientists continue to probe — as they should, given the omnipresence of cell phones. One alternate theory is that heat generated by cell phones can cook brain cells.

California has become the first state to ban trans fats in restaurants. Under the new law, trans fats, long linked to health problems, must be excised from restaurant products beginning in 2010, and from all retail baked goods by 2011. Packaged foods will be exempt.

New York City adopted a similar ban in 2006, and several cities throughout the U.S. have done so as well.

But having the requirement imposed on the most populous state’s 88,000 restaurants is a major gain for the movement against trans fats. That movement has been led by scientists, doctors and consumer advocates who trace the largely synthetic fat to a variety of ailments, principally heart disease.