For instance, studies of social learning, the core process that appears affected in children with autism-spectrum disorders, have found differences between the two sexes.

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The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2009 awards studies of one of life's core processes: the ribosome's translation of DNA information into life.

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She said schools with humanities as a specialism had the option to focus on the teaching and learning of classical studies - Latin, Classical Greek and classical civilisation - alongside a core option of history, geography or English.

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"It's a basic, core issue of standards for working people, " said Mr. Rhomberg, who studies labor markets.

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Studies of welfare reform in the states show a similar picture: there is a hard-core group of mothers who are simply incapable of keeping a job, often because of substance abuse.

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