Women Mellow with Age

What people are talking about in the world of science and beyond. [Water Cooler Archive]

Or, as the British press put it, they "become less bitchy" because once they hit 50 they "are more likely to warm to other females because they no longer see them as rivals."

The British press don't mince words. The study was rather small, however, so don't read too much into those unminced words.

Researchers asked 100 women in their late 40s and 50s to look at photographs of other women, and the participants who had reached menopause were more likely to judge arguably good-looking women as attractive.

"This could certainly be played out in the office or other environments," said lead researcher Benedict Jones of Aberdeen University in the Daily Mail. "Women who are older are likely to be less catty and nicer to each other."

Related: Guppies and Gorillas both have menopause, too.

Not really related but interesting: Women Are in Charge at Home / Why Men Ignore Their Wives

From the LiveScience Water Cooler.