The media have been very interested in a recent research study that examined video game use in children with the developmental disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Autism). This interest, in part, seems to stem from the idea that video games are harmful – for example, the Daily Mail coverage repeatedly refers to ‘addiction’ when describing the study. There is also an underlying suggestion that excessive use may cause or at least contribute to the development of these disorders. The study, however, was not designed to assess these possibilities. But more importantly, taking another perspective, the coverage ignores the strategic growing use of technology by parents, teachers and caregivers of children with these disorders to maximise learning and social development. So is increased video game use in these children a sign of ‘addiction’ or otherwise negative to their development?
Micah O. Mazurek & Christopher R. Engelhardt (in press). Video Game Use in Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, or Typical Development. Pediatrics. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-3956
The New York Times (15 August 2013) reports that scientist were able to observe (and film!) bacterial evolution in real time with predictable results.
This article by Carl Zimmer is a nice example of science journalism, based on an original research article published in the open access journal Cell Reports.
Dave van Ditmarsch, Kerry E. Boyle, Hassan Sakhtah, Jennifer E. Oyler, Carey D. Nadell, Éric Déziel, Lars E.P. Dietrich, Joao B. Xavier (2013). Convergent Evolution of Hyperswarming Leads to Impaired Biofilm Formation in Pathogenic Bacteria. Cell Reports, 4(4) 697-708. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.07.026
