In Brief: Aug. 7, 2000

COHABITATION COMMUNICATION A recent study of newlyweds found that living together before tying the knot can actually hinder marital communication. Videotaping couples in their living rooms, researchers found that the spouses who cohabited, even for as little as a month, displayed fewer positive problem-solving skills and more aggression than couples who had not lived together.

KIDS AND VIOLENCE Four major medical associations joined forces last week to issue a warning to parents on the possible long-lasting effects of children's exposure to media violence. Looking at more than 1,000 studies, researchers concluded that viewing violence in films, music videos, TV shows and video games does lead to increases in aggressive attitudes. Kids exposed to media violence are more likely to see violence as a way to settle conflicts and can become desensitized toward real life violence.

YOUNG HEARTS Many teenagers may have arteries clogged badly enough to trigger heart attacks. Researchers examined the coronary arteries of 760 teens and young adults who had died as a result of accidents, suicide or murder. Based on these results, researchers say that 2% of boys ages 15 to 18 have serious atherosclerosis with their arteries 40% blocked with plaque. And the diet and exercise habits set among teens tend to persist into adulthood.

--By Lisa McLaughlin