and if her insurance company approves, dobson may be able to take one home next year. >> that's incredible> and we don't normally think of stress as contagious, but the proof is pretty easy to find. >> reporter: we've all heard of yawns being contagious, but what about stress. can a stressed office mate, spouse, or complete stranger actually be stressing you out? researchers say, yes. a team at the university says a stranger just observing someone in a stressful situation. >> you accused me of stealing a gift card. >> reporter: had elevated heart rates a rates. stress is passed on through things like facial expressions, voice recognitions, odor, and touch, and just by watching these signs, our own bodies release the stress hormone cortisol. and you are four times more like to catch stress from someone you know. last year i sat down with researchers at uc san francisco, studying the effect a mother's stress had on their child. the mothers had to give an impromptu speech, while evaluators scowled. and all of the babies had an equally elevated hot rate. they had caught their mother's stress.