Scientific American Podcast: 60-Second Mind

Up Your Online Dating Game with Evidence-Based Strategies

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 15:10:00 -0000

Choosing a user name starting with a letter appearing earlier in the alphabet is just one scientifically vetted way to increase the odds of turning an online encounter into a first date. Christopher Intagliata reports

Junk Diet Rewires Rat Brains

Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:00:00 -0000

High-calorie and exceedingly pleasurable foods appear to change rat brain rewards circuitry, causing the rodents to continue to seek such fare. Erika Beras reports

High Price Tag on Meds May Boost Healing

Sat, 31 Jan 2015 14:00:00 -0000

Parkinson’s patients derived more benefits from a salt solution they were told was an expensive drug than from the same solution when it was described as being cheap medication. Karen Hopkin reports

Publication Bias May Boost Findings for Bilingual Brain Benefits

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:06:00 -0000

Of studies presented at conferences, those that found a cognitive benefit to bilingualism were almost twice as likely to get published in journals as were studies finding no benefit. Karen Hopkin reports

Inclusion Illusion Lessens Racial Bias

Sat, 20 Dec 2014 09:00:00 -0000

Implicit bias against another race lessened after volunteers experienced themselves via virtual reality as a member of that race. Karen Hopkin reports

Blood Test Forecasts Concussion Severity

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 19:00:00 -0000

Levels of a protein fragment in the blood paralleled how long head injuries benched hockey players. Ingrid Wickelgren reports

Bouncy Gait Improves Mood

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 18:34:00 -0000

If you're in an up mood, you may walk more energetically. But a study finds that purposefully walking more energetically may improve your mood. Christie Nicholson reports

Synchronized Walking Reduces Opponent's Perceived Size

Sun, 09 Nov 2014 10:46:00 -0000

Subjects who kept pace with a walking colleague estimated a potential enemy to be smaller and lighter than did other walkers who were not marching. Karen Hopkin reports

Big Parental Control May Stunt Kid Assertiveness

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:32:00 -0000

Young adults who’d had highly controlling parents were less able to stress their own viewpoints to a friend or partner in confident and productive ways. Daisy Yuhas reports

Lots or Little Sleep Linked to Sick Days

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 13:00:00 -0000

Absence from work due to illness increased dramatically for those who slept less than six hours or more than nine hours per night. Christie Nicholson reports

Can’t Take My Eyes off You—Your Face, That Is

Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:00:00 -0000

The direction of your gaze when looking at someone offers an unconscious, automatic giveaway of whether your initial reaction is romance or sex. Christie Nicholson reports

Talking to Strangers Makes You Happy

Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:00:00 -0000

People who had to strike up conversations on a subway later reported feeling happier than those who didn’t. Christie Nicholson reports.

People Think Experiences Bring Happiness, Still Opt for Things

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:15:00 -0000

Survey subjects rated life experiences as making them happier and as a better use of money than buying objects. But they actually spent their cash on material goods, whose value is more easily quantifiable. Erika Beras reports

Childhood Stress Decreases Size of Brain Regions

Sat, 16 Aug 2014 09:00:00 -0000

Children who experience neglect, abuse and/or poverty can have smaller amygdalas and hippocampuses, brain regions involved in emotion and memory, compared with kids raised in nurturing environments. Christie Nicholson reports

Even Monkeys Believe In Hot Streaks

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:55:00 -0000

Monkeys trained to play fixed video games made moves indicating that they expected certain patterns to occur. Erika Beras reports

Brain State Bread Crumbs Lead Way Back to Consciousness

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 19:00:00 -0000

Researchers studying anesthetized rats discovered a handful of activity patterns that may mark the path to consciousness after anesthesia. Karen Hopkin reports

Body's Pain Perception Mapped for First Time

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:43:00 -0000

Our ability to pinpoint pain varies across the body, and in a specific pattern. Christie Nicholson reports

Vision Involves a Bit of Hearing, Too

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:00:00 -0000

Researchers could tell what sounds blindfolded volunters were hearing by analyzing activity in their visual cortexes. Christie Nicholson reports

Parents Who Support Corporal Punishment Do It a Lot

Wed, 21 May 2014 20:25:00 -0000

Thirty-three families allowed themselves to be recorded for up to six nights. Parents who said they supported corporal punishment did it often and with little provocation. Christie Nicholson reports

Extroversion Extends Benefits across Cultures

Wed, 14 May 2014 13:20:00 -0000

In a study covering five different countries, subjects reported feeling best on the days when they practiced what are considered extroverted actions. Christie Nicholson reports

Eaters Assume Crunchy Foods Have Fewer Calories

Wed, 07 May 2014 18:30:00 -0000

Food’s texture in your mouth—also called “mouthfeel” or “oral haptics”—influences estimates of calorie counts. And people might eat more crunchy stuff assuming (often incorrectly) it has fewer calories than softer fare. Christie Nicholson reports

Stressed Teens May Be Better Drivers

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:00:00 -0000

Teenage drivers who have a high sensitivity to stress actually have lower rates of car accidents than their more mellow friends. Christie Nicholson reports

Mobile Phones Exert Emotional Pull

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 11:07:00 -0000

What's being called "nomophobia," the anxiety of not having your mobile phone with you, may be a real condition among teens, at least according to two recent studies out of South Korea, the world’s most connected nation. Larry Greenemeier reports

Barbie Exposure May Limit Girls' Career Imagination

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 11:45:00 -0000

Girls who played with dolls were then asked about future careers. Those who played with Barbie more likely to envision traditional pink-collar jobs than were girls who played with Mrs. Potato Head. Erika Beras reports

Kids Books May Cause Confusion about Animals

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 18:51:00 -0000

Children who heard descriptions of animals behaving like humans were less likely to attribute to a real animal a newly learned biological fact than were kids who heard realistic information. Christie Nicholson reports

Danger Explainers Convince Kids Better Than Do Edict Issuers

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 12:25:00 -0000

Moms were better able to sway a child's perception of risk when they explained the reasons an activity was dangerous and its possible consequences rather than just saying no. Christie Nicholson reports

Youth Gang Membership Affects Mental Health Later in Life

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:36:00 -0000

Adults who had been members of gangs in their adolescence had poorer outcomes on a variety of measures, including physical and mental health, than those who'd never been in a gang. Christie Nicholson reports

Infants Use Verbs They Know to Learn New Nouns

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:58:00 -0000

Babies learning speech figure out what an object is by listening to others talk about what that object does. Christie Nicholson reports

Your Memory May Be Edited

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 19:51:00 -0000

Recent and easily retrievable information can overwrite the details of memories, thus altering them in your mind. Christie Nicholson reports

Young Musicians Reap Long-Term Neuro Benefits

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:00:00 -0000

People who played instruments as children responded a bit quicker to complex speech sounds as adults, even if they had not played an instrument in many years. Erika Beras reports

Movie-Watching Together Strengthens Marriages

Sat, 08 Feb 2014 22:00:00 -0000

Psychologists found that encouraging newlywed couples to watch romance flicks, and then discuss them cut the three-year divorce rate in half. Christie Nicholson reports

Review Finds Meditation Somewhat Effective against Anxiety and Depression

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:21:00 -0000

A meta-analysis of 47 previously published studies concludes that there's moderate evidence for meditation offering some relief of anxiety and depression, and low or insufficient evidence for effects on other conditions. Christie Nicholson reports

Brain-Training Games May Not Improve Overall Intelligence

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 00:00:08 -0000

Brain-training games seem to temporarily improve specific tasks, but claims that they can improve overall brain function have yet to be proved. Christie Nicholson reports

How Computers Affect Our Movements

Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:00:08 -0000

Computer-use affects the brain's ability to generalize the skill of moving a mouse. Christie Nicholson reports

"Angelina Jolie Effect" Leaves Public with Inaccurate Knowledge of Breast Cancer Risk

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A survey of 2500 Americans finds that despite many knowing about Jolie's preventive double mastectomy, most remain in the dark about breast cancer risk. Christie Nicholson reports

Test Prep Doesn't Help Raise Intelligence Scores

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Scores on standardized tests may go up but a student's ability for abstract and logical thinking may not improve. Christie Nicholson reports

We Are More Likely to Lie in the Afternoon

Sat, 30 Nov 2013 00:00:08 -0000

If you want to catch someone in a lie, you'll raise your odds in the afternoons, as most people are more likely to cheat or lie then as opposed to the morning. Christie Nicholson reports

Overeating Due to Stress?

Sun, 17 Nov 2013 00:00:08 -0000

If you over-eat or under-eat as a reaction to stress, don't worry, your body may compensate to balance you over time. Christie Nicholson reports

Seeing Photos of Food Makes Actual Food Less Tasty

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Looking at photos of food can lead us to become bored with other similar foods. Christie Nicholson reports

Reducing a Fear During Sleep

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Exposure to a fearful memory while in deep sleep may help reduce the fear. Christie Nicholson reports

Generosity Can Breed Contempt

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:54:08 -0000

In a group experiment, members who donated the least and the most to the community were both ostracized. Amy Kraft reports

Babies Know Animals Have Gushy Insides

Sun, 15 Sep 2013 00:00:08 -0000

It appears we might be born with the knowledge that living things have insides and are not hollow. Christie Nicholson reports

When to Catch a Lie via Text

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent experiment finds that when people are about to lie via digital text they take longer to construct their words. Christie Nicholson reports

We Probably Won't Recycle Shredded Paper

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Turns out that if we think something looks like trash then we probably won't bother recycling it. Christie Nicholson reports

Limit Youth Football Practice Hits For Brain Health

Sun, 18 Aug 2013 15:13:08 -0000

Changes in youth football practices cut total hits to the head in half, while leaving game situations unaffected. Ingrid Wickelgren reports.

Portion-Size Label Influences Ingestion Intake

Sat, 03 Aug 2013 09:40:08 -0000

People ate less of a portion of food if it was labeled "double-size" rather than "regular." Karen Hopkin reports

Social Status Affects Who We Choose to Believe

Sun, 28 Jul 2013 00:00:08 -0000

When it comes to news or political statements, the more powerful the speaker the more we are likely to believe them. Christie Nicholson reports

Happiness During Teen Years Predicts Happiness as Adults

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A survey of thousands finds that our mood during the young adult years is a good predictor of later happiness in retirement. Christie Nicholson reports

What Fighting Couples Want

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Fighting couples don't want an apology, but rather for one partner to relinquish power. Christie Nicholson reports

Expansive Postures May Lead Us to Dishonesty

Tue, 09 Jul 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A study finds that large, expansive body postures may influence people's honesty. Christie Nicholson reports

Training Can Increase Empathy

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A particular type of meditation training led study subjects to become more altruistic. Christie Nicholson reports

Memory Loss during Menopause

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:00:08 -0000

Many women complained about memory loss during menopause, but a recent study provides the evidence. Christie Nicholson reports

The Quirk of a High IQ

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:00:08 -0000

It seems that those with high IQs have a beneficial quirk in their ability to perceive a moving scene. Christie Nicholson

How to Enjoy Your Decision

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:08 -0000

When facing a lot of choice, it is best to decide on one option and then physically shut off all others. Christie Nicholson reports

Inside the Mind of a Psychopath

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:08 -0000

The brains of psychopaths react differently to images of someone being hurt than the brains of non-psychopaths. Christie Nicholson reports

Money Is Valued Differently Depending on How It's Earned

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:08 -0000

We tend to diminish the value of money earned through questionable means. Christie Nicholson reports

Green Spaces Promote Happier Communities

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A long-term survey of more than 10,000 people finds that green spaces make for better moods. Christie Nicholson reports

Memory Improves with Sleep

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Sleep plays a crucial role in better memory. Christie Nicholson reports

Being Monkey in the Middle Is Stressful

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study of macaque monkeys finds that those who are of middle status tend to experience the most stress. Christie Nicholson reports

Unhealthy Eating Leaves You in a Bad Mood

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:08 -0000

If you are in a bad mood don't try to comfort yourself with unhealthy food. Christie Nicholson reports

Mindfulness May Improve Test Scores

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that a meditation practice improved Graduate Record Exam scores. Christie Nicholson reports

We Think the Future Is Closer Than the Past

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that we might think of time as though we are literally moving through it. Christie Nicholson reports

Sexting Habits of Teens

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study takes a closer look at the sexting habits of one particular subgroup within teens. Christie Nicholson reports

Studying Languages Can Grow the Brain

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Researchers have found that people who study languages tend to show significant growth in certain areas of the brain. Christie Nicholson reports

Three-Year-Olds Know Better

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A study finds that three-year-old children know a lot more than we might give them credit for. Christie Nicholson reports

You May Think Your Name Is Rare

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:08 -0000

We tend to overestimate how rare our names are, perhaps in an effort to preserve a sense of being special. Christie Nicholson reports

We Are What We Smell

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that we can instill our emotions in others through chemical signals delivered by scent. Christie Nicholson reports

Coffee Boosts Recognition of Positive Words

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that we tend to recognize words associated with positive thoughts faster after we've had some coffee. Christie Nicholson reports

Diapers Hinder Walking for Babies

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A new study finds that diapers, both disposable and cloth, impede walking for babies. Christie Nicholson reports

Images of Thin Bodies Impact Body Preferences

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study shows that images of thin women do in fact alter women's body preferences. Christie Nicholson reports

Dexter Talks Psychopath Stress Management

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:10:08 -0000

Michael C. Hall, of TV's Dexter, talks about psychopathy with psychologist Kevin Dutton, author of The Wisdom of Psychopaths

Dan Ariely Talks Creativity and Dishonesty

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 21:34:08 -0000

Dan Ariely is a professor of behavior economics at Duke University. His latest book, The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty, explains how creativity makes us better liars--even to ourselves

Natural Setting and Tech Break Boost Creativity

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 07:00:08 -0000

Volunteers who spent at least four days hiking with no communications or computing technology scored higher on creativity tests upon their return than did a control group. Rose Eveleth reports

Civilian Trauma May Contribute to Combat PTSD

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 15:30:08 -0000

Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were more likely to have experienced violence or abuse in civilian life, especially during childhood. Karen Hopkin reports

Bad Boys and Gals Present as More Attractive

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 07:00:08 -0000

People who score higher on negative personality traits know how to look hotter when they try harder than do those with more stable characters. Christie Nicholson reports

When Old Habits Die Easy

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 00:00:08 -0000

New research finds a way to break an embedded habit, even a bad habit, at least for mice. Christie Nicholson reports

Rats' Whiskers Inspire New Way to See

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Blindfolded subjects were able to successfully use a plastic version of a rat's whisker to help them detect objects. Christie Nicholson reports

Stable or Sexy? It Depends on Ovulation

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A women who settles down with what she considers to be a stable man might not find him all that attractive while she is ovulating. Christie Nicholson reports

Cash Rewards Might Make Us Unhappy

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that when we can easily quantify a good we tend to be less happy with it, as opposed to those goods that are less easily quantifiable. Christie Nicholson reports

How We Process Horrible Sounds

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Researchers develop a model for how we find certain sounds, like nails on a chalkboard, unbearable. Christie Nicholson reports

Helping Your Child Delay Gratification

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent twist on the famous "marshmallow test" for children finds that environment and experience play a big role in a child's ability to resist temptation. Christie Nicholson reports

When We Hear a Sound

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:08 -0000

We tend to notice sounds that appear much more often and accurately than sounds that vanish. Christie Nicholson reports

The Difference between Honesty and Cheating

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that where we sign a document can influence our tendency to be honest or cheat. Christie Nicholson reports

When the Bride Has Doubt

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:00:08 -0000

New research finds that prenuptial doubt predicts marital separation, especially when that doubt comes from the bride. Christie Nicholson reports

Fear Makes Art More Engaging

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that when people are stimulated by fear, they tend to be more engaged with art. Christie Nicholson reports

Improving Eyewitness Accuracy in Police Lineups

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:00:08 -0000

Making decisions faster may improve the accuracy of choosing the guilty person from a police lineup. Christie Nicholson reports

Why You Choose the Brands You Do

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 15:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that we might often choose brands and products for reasons that have nothing to do with the actual brand or product. Christie Nicholson reports

Attitudes toward Sex Are Changing

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A new survey of college students finds that attitudes toward gender and promiscuity are changing. Christie Nicholson reports

Hoarders Have Their Own Category of Disorder

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds evidence for why hoarders might be considered separate from those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Christie Nicholson reports

Wobbly Chairs May Affect Your Values

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:00:08 -0000

A study finds that unstable furniture can influence how we feel about our relationships. Christie Nicholson reports

Some Multitasking Is More Taxing

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that different forms of multitasking can impact our performance much more than others. Christie Nicholson reports

Attraction between Friends of Opposite Sexes

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent survey finds considerable differences in how men and women view attraction between male and female friends

Our Friends' Weight Influences Our Weight Gain and Loss

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Research finds that who we socialize with can influence our eating behavior. Christie Nicholson reports

Lingering with a Decision Breeds More Indecision

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Researchers have found that time spent deliberating on a decision actually exacerbates the difficulty in making that decision. Christie Nicholson reports

Do We Care About Future Generations?

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:08 -0000

New research finds that we tend to care more about the success of future generations when we are faced with our own mortality. Christie Nicholson reports

Confusion Helps Us Learn

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:08 -0000

It may be a good thing to be confused during the learning process. Christie Nicholson reports

America Needs to Study Fractions

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that a solid grade school knowledge of fractions and long-form division accurately predicts later success in high school math. Christie Nicholson reports

Testosterone Promotes Aggression Automatically

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 10:00:08 -0000

New research suggests that testosterone may make us more aggressive without us consciously feeling any aggression. Christie Nicholson reports

Different Sports Require Different Motivation

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Performance in different kinds of sports benefits from specific types of motivational "self-talk." Christie Nicholson reports

Watching Shot Can Boost Pain

Sat, 26 May 2012 05:00:08 -0000

Subjects who watched a hand being pricked by a needle while they received a gentle electric shock felt more pain than others who watched gentler material. Rose Eveleth reports

Meat-Eating Is Viewed as More of a Man's Game

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that we tend to view meat consumption as being more masculine than vegetarianism. Christie Nicholson reports

When Pro-Vaccine Messaging Backfires

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study shows that strong pro-vaccine messaging might have an unintended impact. Christie Nicholson reports

Shut Off E-Mail to Ease Work Stress

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:34:08 -0000

Workers who turned off their e-mail had lower stress and did less multitasking compared with co-workers who left their in-boxes open. Sophie Bushwick reports

Keeping Secrets Weighs You Down, Literally

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:00:08 -0000

New research finds that keeping a secret can make you feel as if you are physically burdened. Christie Nicholson reports

If We Feel Too Busy, It's Probably Due to Having Too Much Free Time

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:00:08 -0000

A forthcoming study finds that keeping busy with selfless tasks greatly expands our perception of how much time we have. Christie Nicholson reports

Men Who Hold a Gun Appear Taller and Stronger

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:00:08 -0000

Research finds that men are perceived to be strong and large if they are carrying a deadly weapon. Christie Nicholson reports

We Tend to Underestimate How Much We Weigh

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:00:08 -0000

New research has found significant discrepancies between how much people think they weigh and how much they actually weigh. Christie Nicholson reports

Ability to Learn Is Affected by the Timing of Sleep

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:00:08 -0000

Researchers find that how soon we sleep after learning new information impacts how well we retain it. Christie Nicholson reports

Mind Wandering Is Linked to Your Working Memory

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:00:08 -0000

A new study has found a strong correlation between how much your mind wanders and your working memory capacity. Christie Nicholson reports

How to Gain Self-Control

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:00:08 -0000

New research finds a relatively simple method to increase your capacity for self-control. Christie Nicholson reports

Hunger Affects What We See

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:00:08 -0000

When our body needs something, like food, the brain tends to open a fast track for perceiving that specific thing. Christie Nicholson reports

Dehydration Affects Women's Moods

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:00:08 -0000

Two recent studies find that dehydration not only affects your body but your mood as well. Christie Nicholson reports

Why Online Dating Doesn't Work

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:00:08 -0000

A team of psychologists reviewed online dating sites and their conclusions are not promising. Christie Nicholson reports

If Time Is Money, Then Free Time Is Frustrating

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:00:08 -0000

If we think of time as money, we might be undermining our ability to enjoy free time. Christie Nicholson reports

More Than One Blow for a Concussion in Football

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:00:08 -0000

A recent study shows that it's multiple blows to the head that lead to a concussion in football. Christie Nicholson reports

How the Itch Informs the Scratch

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:00:08 -0000

Research finds that where the itch begins says a lot about how bad it is--and how pleasurable the scratch. Christie Nicholson reports

Lack of Sleep Might Make You Feel Hungrier

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Extreme lack of sleep might make one more susceptible to food imagery, making us feel hungrier than we actually are. Christie Nicholson reports

Men Spend the Big Bucks When Women Are Scarce

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that when men perceive that there are few women, they'll spend more money. Christie Nicholson reports

Cognitive Decline Sets in around Age 45

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:00:08 -0000

A new study finds that the inevitable cognitive decline we all face starts earlier than we originally thought. Christie Nicholson reports

The Elderly React Slowly Because They Want to Be Right

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:00:08 -0000

Recent studies have found that the elderly may respond more slowly to specific tasks, but not because their cognitive skills are slower. Christie Nicholson reports

Toddlers Don't Monitor Their Own Speech

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:00:08 -0000

Adults and children hear their own voice and use it as feedback to monitor their speech, but it seems that young toddlers do not. Christie Nicholson reports

A Quirk of Speech May Become a New Vocal Style

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:00:08 -0000

What used to be thought of as a symptom of a speech disorder might now be a hot trend in vocal style among rock stars and young women. Christie Nicholson reports

Individuals Are Removed from Blame When in Groups

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study has found that we do not tend to hold individual members of a group responsible for their individual actions. Christie Nicholson reports

Killing 1 Person to Save 5

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:00:08 -0000

Researchers test a famous ethical dilemma called the "trolley problem" in a very real setting. Christie Nicholson reports

Dreams Help Soothe Your Bad Memories

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:00:08 -0000

Research finds that dreams may help consolidate and soothe troubled memories and experiences. Christie Nicholson reports

Protein Might Ward Off Afternoon Snooze

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:39:08 -0000

Glucose can block brain cell secretion of orexin, which keeps us alert. But amino acids can stop that block. Christie Nicholson reports

How We View Half-Naked Men and Women

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Research finds that scantily-clad women and men are judged in similar ways. Christie Nicholson reports

Brains Built to Cooperate

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Research finds support for the theory that brains excel when we cooperate. At least in duet-singing wrens. Christie Nicholson reports

Be Afraid, but Not Too Afraid

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:00:08 -0000

Halloween reminds us that we love to be scared. But too much of anything is not good. Christie Nicholson reports

Are Men Funnier Than Women?

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:08 -0000

A new study finds that the humor gap between the sexes is more stereotype than reality. Christie Nicholson reports

Body Language Improves Our Communication

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that body language significantly improves how well we are understood by our audience. Christie Nicholson reports

Young Children Think Differently about Ownership

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Research shows that young children tend to think that naturally occurring objects like pinecones or rocks cannot be owned. Christie Nicholson reports

Clothing Reveals Racial Stereotypes

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:00:08 -0000

A study in the journal Public Library of Science ONE finds that many judge race based on types of clothing. Christie Nicholson reports

Speech Disorders May Be Helped Using Rhythm and Familiar Words

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Singing therapy is often used to restore fluency to sufferers of speech disorders due to stroke. Recent research found, however, it may not be the singing itself that helps. Christie Nicholson reports

Scientists Find a New Way to Measure Pain

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Scientists have been searching for an accurate way to measure pain beyond a patient's self-report, but to no avail. A recent study might have found one possible solution. Christie Nicholson reports

Musicians Maintain Hearing Better

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:14:08 -0000

A hearing study of experienced musicians found they had a better chance than non-musicians of avoiding the hearing loss associated with aging. Christie Nicholson reports

Overeating Depends on Context

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Research has found that ritual and context influences us to eat too much with no regard for quality. Christie Nicholson reports

Global Survey Links Religion and Happiness

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:08 -0000

An analysis of the Gallop World Poll finds that there is an association with religion and increased happiness, but only in societies that lack adequate social support. Christie Nicholson reports

Ability for Mathematics May Be Inborn

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Children who have a good sense of numbers also tend to have a talent for arithmetic, even before formal training. Christie Nicholson reports

Spoiling the Ending Makes for a Better Story

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Research has found that giving away the best part of a story at the beginning actually makes it more enjoyable. Christie Nicholson reports

More Football Players Found to Suffer from Degenerative Disease

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:08 -0000

The Canadian Sports Concussion Project announced the results from brain autopsies of four CFL football players. Two of the players suffered from the degenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Christie Nicholson reports

Panic Attack Sufferers Are Unaware of Symptoms

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 11:00:08 -0000

Panic attacks seem to come out of nowhere, but research finds symptoms appear up to one hour before the sufferer is aware of the attack. Christie Nicholson reports

Compulsive Gamblers Combine Impulsiveness with Irrationality

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 13:33:08 -0000

Compulsive gamblers seeking treatment were more impulsive and more likely to be superstitious than were non-gamblers. Steve Mirsky reports

Hot Baths May Cure Loneliness

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that taking a hot bath can cure loneliness. Christie Nicholson reports

Paying in Cash Keeps Us Healthy

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that our vices can be held back when we use cash instead of credit cards at the grocery store. Christie Nicholson reports

Small Study: Young Gang Members Want Dogs Mostly for Companionship

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 04:00:08 -0000

A study of 25 young gang and group members in South Wales found that they wanted dogs less as weapons or protection and mostly for companionship and socialization. Steve Mirsky reports

Inattentional Blindness Can Make You Not Perceive Events

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:00:08 -0000

Research finds that a cop who testified that he ran past a beating without seeing it could be telling the truth. Christie Nicholson reports

Math Learning Disability as Common as Dyslexia

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Research has found that dyscalculia, a learning disability focused around number and math concepts, is as common as dyslexia. Christie Nicholson reports

The Blind Use the Visual Cortex to Process Sound

Sat, 28 May 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Recent research has confirmed that in blind subjects who use echolocation to navigate, it is the visual part of the brain that processes the auditory echoes. Christie Nicholson reports

Rude People Can Be Perceived as Powerful

Sun, 22 May 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Powerful people often bend the rules, so if someone is a rule-breaker could they be perceived as powerful? Christie Nicholson reports

How to Speak Persuasively

Sat, 14 May 2011 17:16:08 -0000

Discover how to successfully persuade others with these findings from a recent study on speech. Christie Nicholson reports

Know Thyself

Sat, 07 May 2011 16:00:08 -0000

A recent review paper shows that we might not know ourselves as well as we think. Christie Nicholson reports

First Impressions Can Be Quite Accurate

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:00:08 -0000

A study about the perception of neighborhoods reveals that our gut instinct based on the physical features of the neighborhood is highly accurate. Christie Nicholson reports

Reading the Mind to Restore Speech

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:08 -0000

By just thinking about, or saying, certain words, people can control a computer cursor. Christie Nicholson reports

Our Uhs and Ums May Help Children Learn Language

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:00:08 -0000

We think we should remove any ums and uhs when we talk, especially when teaching children language. New research finds that such pauses may be useful. Christie Nicholson reports

Yawns Are Contagious When You're with Friends

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Research with chimpanzees finds that chimps yawn more around other yawning chimps from their own community than with those from a separate community. Christie Nicholson reports

People with Tourette Syndrome Show Strong Cognitive Control

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Research finds that increased brain activity in key areas is tightly linked to an ability to control the tics caused by Tourette syndrome. Christie Nicholson reports

First Sex Alters Body Image

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:00:08 -0000

A recent assessment of undergrads reveals a gender difference in how the students see their bodies after their first sexual intercourse. Christie Nicholson reports

Self-Restraint Leads Us to Prefer Aggression

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Research shows that when we practice self-restraint, we also tend to prefer aggressive messaging and movies. Christie Nicholson reports

Right-Handers Tend to Prefer the Right Side

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research in the journal Psychological Science found that righties tend to prefer the right side of anything (spatially speaking) and lefties the left. Christie Nicholson reports

Perception of Our Physical State When Depressed or Anxious

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Depression and anxiety have very different influences on how we perceive physical symptoms. Christie Nicholson reports

Social Context Influences Language

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study with teenage male songbirds finds that they can suddenly have a surge of tweeting talent when they are placed in the presence of a female bird. Christie Nicholson reports

Early Attachment May Affect Our Ability to Resolve Conflict in Relationships

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research in the journal Psychological Science reveals that infant attachment styles might influence our ability to recover from fights with our romantic partners. Christie Nicholson reports

Look to Lessen Acute Pain

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:47:08 -0000

Volunteers could endure an uncomfortable stimulus longer when they looked at the affected body part, and even longer if the part appeared enlarged

Cannabis May Influence Onset of Psychosis

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:01:08 -0000

Research to be published this summer finds that the use of cannabis is associated with the early onset of psychosis. Christie Nicholson reports

Babies Think Large Means Dominant

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:00:08 -0000

Recent research shows that even infants have a bias to think that big means alpha. Christie Nicholson reports

Meditation Correlated with Structural Changes in the Brain

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:00:08 -0000

A study published this week finds that an eight-week meditation course leads to structural changes in the brain. Christie Nicholson reports

Play Up That Ugly Trait

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Data analysis from the popular online dating site OkCupid finds that the women who get the most attention from men are rated by many men as unattractive. Christie Nicholson reports

The Popularity of Predictive Medical Testing

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 09:00:08 -0000

A recent survey performed by the Tufts Medical Center finds that many would take a predictive test for prostate cancer. Christie Nicholson reports

What It Means to Forgive

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:00:08 -0000

This New Year's as we reflect on our experiences with friends and family we might think about forgiveness, both given and received. Philosopher Charles Griswold provides some guidance. Christie Nicholson reports

The Strongest Predictor for Low Stress

Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:00:08 -0000

Research from wild baboons provides insight into perhaps the best way to combat daily, psychological stress. During this holiday season it might bring some comfort. Christie Nicholson reports

More Money Doesn't Mean More Happiness

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 00:00:08 -0000

Richard Easterlin wrote a paper back in the 1970s showing that increased income doesn't correlate with increased happiness. Last week he published an update on that paper. Christie Nicholson reports

What Makes an Honest Smile Honest?

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:00:08 -0000

What is the telltale clue to a genuine smile? Recent research finds positive correlations with this honest show of emotion. Christie Nicholson reports

Visual Illusions Depend On Visual Cortex Size

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 15:00:08 -0000

Research released today in Nature Neuroscience finds that we are are more likely to be tricked by a visual illusion if we have a smaller amount of brain real estate devoted to visual processing. Christie Nicholson reports

Brain Imaging Studies Show Different Cultures Have Different Brains

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 16:00:08 -0000

The emerging field of cultural neuroscience reveals fascinating differences in brain function between cultures and environments. Christie Nicholson reports

Fear-Based Messaging May Influence Skepticism of Global Warming

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:00:08 -0000

A study proposes that fear-based messaging about an issue like global warming may encourage the audience to dismiss it. Christie Nicholson reports

Who Teens Blame for Bullying

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:00:08 -0000

A recent Swedish study finds that teenagers put most of the blame for bullying behavior on the bully or the victim, and not on their peers or the school environment. Christie Nicholson reports

Male Names Are Still Mentioned First

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds that despite our efforts for parity between the sexes, male names still come first when referring to a couple. Christie Nicholson reports

Beware of Brain Differences in the Sexes

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 00:00:08 -0000

A recent review advises us to beware of the gender differences found in brain-imaging studies. Christie Nicholson reports

Generosity Might Keep Us Healthy

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:00:08 -0000

Psychologist Liz Dunn spoke with us from the PopTech conference in Camden, Maine, about the link between greed and long-term health. Christie Nicholson reports

Adversity Is Linked to Life Satisfaction

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:00:08 -0000

A certain amount of negative life events is correlated with an overall sense of life satisfaction and happiness. Christie Nicholson reports

Thinking about Time or Money Impacts How We Spend Our Days

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 12:00:08 -0000

Priming our mind with thoughts of time or money influences our future behavior. Christie Nicholson reports

Tennis Players' Grunts May Slow Opponents' Reactions

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:00:08 -0000

A recent study shows the negative impact that noise can have when one is attempting to predict where a tennis ball will land. Christie Nicholson reports

Women Apologize More Frequently Than Men Do

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 15:00:08 -0000

Research confirms that women tend to apologize much more frequently than men do, but there's a curious twist as to why this is the case. Christie Nicholson reports

We Only Trust Experts If They Agree with Us

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 10:00:08 -0000

We only consider scientists to be experts when their argument is in line with our own previously held beliefs. Christie Nicholson reports

Mind-Reading Tools Go Commercial

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:00:08 -0000

The tools used by the commercial industry to detect our thoughts and brain states are very different, and somewhat limited, compared with those used in the research lab. Christie Nicholson reports

It's Very Tough to Tell Just How Drunk Someone Is

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:00:08 -0000

A recent review of studies on intoxication has determined that we are very bad at determining just how drunk someone is. Christie Nicholson reports

Generation X Loyaler to Religion Than Previous Generation

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A recent survey analysis reveals that gen-Xers are more likely than baby boomers to remain loyal to religion. Christie Nicholson reports

Poor Linguistic Ability May Indicate Risk of Alzheimer's

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A series of longitudinal studies done with nuns out of the University of Kentucky shows a significant relationship between linguistic ability early in life and the development of Alzheimer's later in life. Christie Nicholson reports

Your Opinion of Climate Change Depends on Your Social Psychology

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0000

In a public lecture at the Banff Center for the Arts, science journalist Jay Ingram argues that climate change controversies have little to do with facts and findings. Christie Nicholson reports

Psychology Studies Biased toward Western Undergrads

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:15:08 -0000

A recent and exhaustive meta-analysis of scientific data shows that top psychology studies tend to make conclusions about human nature based on samples taken solely from Western undergraduate students. Christie Nicholson reports

Busting the Myth That Opposites Attract

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:08 -0000

When it comes to love, we're ambivalent about "opposites attract". Christie Nicholson reports

The Impact of Rude Behavior on a Business

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:00:08 -0000

New research shows that rudeness between employees can have a far worse impact on a business than rudeness directed toward customers, or even employee incompetence. Christie Nicholson reports

Large-Brained Mammals Live Longer

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:00:08 -0000

A new study published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology finds that mammals with larger brains tend to have longer life spans. Christie Nicholson reports

Bully or Victim? More Similar Than We Might Think

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A new analysis reveals that bullies and victims share more similarities than we might think, with one stand-out difference. Christie Nicholson reports

The Connection Between Multiple Sclerosis and Depression

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Research in the journal Biological Psychiatry finds a potential physiological connection between multiple sclerosis and depression. Christie Nicholson reports

The Real Concern When Couples Fight

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

New research reveals that nearly all fights between romantic partners can be distilled into two fundamental complaints. Christie Nicholson reports

How We Fool Ourselves Over and Over

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

In a new book "The Invisible Gorilla and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us," authors Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons show how little we know about our own knowledge. Christie Nicholson reports

The Staying Power of Alcoholics Anonymous

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Alcoholics Anonymous continues to lead addicts to sobriety as long as they stick with it for the long haul. Christie Nicholson reports

Lower IQ Scores Linked to Higher Suicide Risk

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A study of over one million men shows a link between IQ scores and attempted suicide. Christie Nicholson reports

College Students Are Less Empathic Than Generations Past

Sat, 29 May 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Research presented at the conference of the Association for Psychological Science found that today's college students are far less empathic than their counterparts 30 years ago. Christie Nicholson reports

Soil Bacteria Might Increase Learning

Mon, 24 May 2010 19:00:08 -0000

Research presented this week shows that exposure to a specific bacteria found in soil increases learning in mice. Christie Nicholson reports

Digging Deeper into the Entire Brain

Sun, 16 May 2010 16:00:08 -0000

A recent paper in the journal Nature finally brings some vindication to fMRI, one of the most popular methods used to study the brain. Christie Nicholson reports

Facial Expressions of Mice in Pain

Wed, 12 May 2010 16:00:08 -0000

Recent research has found that mice make humanlike facial expressions when they are in pain. Christie Nicholson reports

Risk-Taking Behavior in Teens

Mon, 03 May 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Many studies suggest that risk-taking behavior in teens is due to the slow development of brain function that controls impulsivity. New research concludes it's not that simple. Christie Nicholson reports

Auditory Illusions

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:00:08 -0000

Two classic auditory illusions. Try them out! Christie Nicholson reports

Making a Decision? Take Your Time

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A recent study shows that when faced with a decision, it's best to take some time--relax and cool off--so logical thinking can guide us to the best choice. Christie Nicholson reports

Using Light to Control the Brain

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:08 -0000

A new approach to manipulating the brain with light is gaining increasing attention. Christie Nicholson reports

Neuroscience Is Everywhere

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 13:00:08 -0000

From literature to architecture, academics and entrepreneurs are using neuroscience to explain everything from why we like a complex narrative thread to why round tables are more social. Christie Nicholson reports

Manipulating Moral Judgment

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:00:08 -0000

Scientists find that when the area of the brain responsible for understanding the intent of others is disrupted, moral judgment is also affected. Christie Nicholson reports

Chronic Pain Relief

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:00:08 -0000

Chronic pain may be due to an overabundance of a protein, which amplifies the pain signal to the brain. A drug that neutralizes this protein may provide the long-awaited relief. Christie Nicholson reports

Humans Want to Share Information

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:00:08 -0000

Speaking at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Tex., new media scholar Clay Shirky argues that businesses are buckling under the pressure of the digital revolution because of a subtle quirk in human nature. Christie Nicholson reports

Happy People Talk More Seriously

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:00:08 -0000

A recent study analyzed 20,000 conversations and found that happiness strongly correlated with talkative people who went beyond the small talk. Christie Nicholson reports

Why Does Schizophrenia Appear in Young Adults?

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:00:08 -0000

Recent research explores the effects of a schizophrenia risk factor (DISC1) and its influence over the onset of the disease. Christie Nicholson reports

Fighting Crime with Math

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:00:08 -0000

Scientists at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science presented a mathematical model to predict criminal behavior and police success. Christie Nicholson reports

Catching the Brain at Work

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:00:08 -0000

Scientists found a way to detect the order of activity in two regions of the brain using fMRI. And they found that the brain can register something as highly emotional before it actually processes what that something is. Christie Nicholson reports

Dealing with Super Bowl XLIV Pressure

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:30:08 -0000

Sports psychologist Patrick Cohn discusses two types of athletes, and how to deal with pressure in the days before the big game. Christie Nicholson reports

Sex Differences in Jealousy

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:00:08 -0000

Recent research attempts to provide a more nuanced look at the long-held view that men are more jealous of sexual infidelity than emotional infidelity. Christie Nicholson reports

The Talent for Facial Recognition

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research in Current Biology finds that the ability to recognize faces is most likely heritable. Christie Nicholson reports

Making and Keeping Your Goals

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:08 -0000

An interview with David Allen, best-selling author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, on how to make and keep goals. Christie Nicholson reports

No Gender Gap in Math

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:08 -0000

A worldwide study of nearly half a million boys and girls found no significant gender gap in math ability. Christie Nicholson reports

Powerful and Bad in 2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that a feeling of entitlement to power can inspire hypocrisy. Christie Nicholson reports

Remembering That Person's Name

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:00:08 -0000

Recent research finds that we all have a tough time remembering names as we age. But for those with early Alzheimer's the decline is significant and includes forgetting biographical information, as well. Christie Nicholson reports

Our Bodies, Our Culture

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:00:00 -0000

How we understand the location of our own body in space is culturally dependent. Christie Nicholson reports

Hockey and Concussions

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:00:08 -0000

Researchers are asking hockey players to give up their brains to study the long-term impact of concussions. Christie Nicholson reports

Fear of Fear Itself

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:00:08 -0000

A recent study links fear of feeling anxious to depression. Christie Nicholson reports

Are Your Siblings Really Your Siblings?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:00:08 -0000

This Thanksgiving how can we be certain we're sitting down with our genetically related family? Evolutionary psychology provides some food for thought. Christie Nicholson reports

The Roots of Language

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research with chimps provides support for theories of how language evolved in humans. Christie Nicholson reports

Boost Your Creativity with Eye Movement

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:08 -0000

Recent research published in the journal Brain and Cognition finds that people can boost the number and quality of their original ideas when they increase the interaction between the brain's right and left hemispheres. Christie Nicholson reports

Hearing Our Heartbeats

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:08 -0000

Scientists have recently found that there are two brain pathways involved how we perceive our own thumping hearts. Christie Nicholson reports

A Pretty Face or a Hot Body?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:08 -0000

When pursuing a mate for a short-term relationship, are we more interested in the face or the body? How about for a long-term relationship? Christie Nicholson reports

What Our Stuff Says about Us

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:08 -0000

Psychologist Sam Gosling from the University of Texas reveals what we can predict about personalities by just looking at their stuff. Christie Nicholson reports

It's Funny Because It's True

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:00:08 -0000

New research proves that the things we find funny often reveal somewhat hidden beliefs we hold. Christie Nicholson reports

What the Experts Still Don't Know

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:00:08 -0000

Twenty three world-renowned psychologists write about what they still don't understand about themselves

Internet Addiction?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:30:08 -0000

As experts organize the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a debate has started on whether to include Internet addiction among our newest afflictions

Is Texting Making Us Bad Spellers?

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study finds SMS texting is not impacting young people's ability to spell. Christie Nicholson reports

Detecting Digitally Altered Video

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:08 -0000

A study in Applied Cognitive Science finds that we're likely to believe a doctored video over own memories of an event. Christie Nicholson reports

Where the Desire for Change Resides

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Scientists have found an area of the brain that becomes highly active when we finally decide to explore the unknown. Christie Nicholson reports

Predictors of Preschool Depression

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:08 -0000

A five-year study followed more than 1,700 children and found that depression in preschoolers is primarily predicted by two factors. Christie Nicholson reports

In Defense of Evolutionary Psychology

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:00:08 -0000

Lisa DeBruine of the University of Aberdeen proposes that the value of evolutionary psychology lies in its ability to inspire new questions about human behavior. Christie Nicholson reports

Human-Robot Relationships

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:08 -0000

How will human-robot interaction affect our culture? A psychologist and artificial intelligence researcher share their predictions. Christie Nicholson reports

Answers to the Rorschach Test Revealed

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:00:08 -0000

A recent debate erupted on Wikipedia concerning the public posting of popular interpretations of the Rorschach test. Christie Nicholson reports

Artificial Intelligence Predicts Gambling Behavior

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:00:08 -0000

A simulated neural network is able to predict the bets and wins/losses of gamblers. Christie Nicholson reports

Questioning Evolutionary Psychology

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:00:08 -0000

Recently, the doubts and questions plaguing the theory of evolutionary psychology have boiled up to the mainstream press. Christie Nicholson reports

Severe Weather Psychology, Part 2

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:08 -0000

A psychology PhD student from the University of Sheffield shares her initial observations on how well local people understand the behavior of tornadoes. Christie Nicholson reports

Severe Weather Psychology, Part 1

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Jacqui Wilmshurst, a PhD psychology student at the University of Sheffield, is spending summer in the field studying human reactions to severe weather and tornadoes. In this special longer-than-usual episode, she shares her initial findings. Christie Nicholson reports

Increase Your Creativity: Live Abroad

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research shows that people who have lived in a foreign country are more creative when it comes to solving problems. Christie Nicholson reports

Our Bodies, Our Brains

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Recent studies have shown that moving our body in certain ways can improve our ability to think. Christie Nicholson reports

Obama's Message to Graduates

Mon, 18 May 2009 10:00:08 -0000

President Obama's message to Arizona State University grads matches new research on how to live a fulfilled and happy life. Christie Nicholson reports

Immorality and Twitter

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:08 -0000

The other week headlines were crying out that Twitter, the microblogging platform, makes us immoral, but the study on which the claim was made did not mention social media. Christie Nicholson reports

Why Dating Doesn't Predict Marital Success

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:00:08 -0000

Scientists confirm what may seem obvious to some: what satisfies us in dating, does not predict how happy we'll be in marriage. Christie Nicholson reports

When Do Dreams Begin?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:00:08 -0000

Recent research from the American Institute of Physics has found that the our dreaming sleep begins much earlier than previously thought. Christie Nicholson reports

Hope for Spinal Cord Injuries

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:08 -0000

A paper published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA reports success in repairing damaged nerves in a system critical for human movement. Christie Nicholson reports

Why Cops Make Fatal Errors

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:08 -0000

New research suggests that a police officer's ability to multitask influences the number of wrongful shootings. Christie Nicholson reports

Sylvia Plath's Son and Suicide in Families

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:00:08 -0000

The recent suicide of Sylvia Plath's son, Nicholas Hughes, makes us question whether suicidal tendency runs in families. But the science remains complex. Christie Nicholson reports

Wiping Out Bad Memories

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:08 -0000

Research published in the journal Science last week shows the successful obliteration of a specific memory in mice. Christie Nicholson reports

Where Is God?

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA provides support to the critics of the idea that a God spot exists in the brain. Christie Nicholson reports

Online Games as Study Tool

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:00:08 -0000

An interdisciplinary research group called the "Virtual Worlds Exploratorium" has started to analyze data from the online game EverQuest II, in order to find out more about real-life human behavior. Christie Nicholson reports

Thinking of Human as Machine

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:08 -0000

It will be a long time before machines can be "more human than human," as scientists are just starting to decode what happens inside our brains as we recognize a spoken word. Christie Nicholson reports.

Women as Sex Objects

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:05:08 -0000

A new study presented at the recent American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago shows that when men see photos of scantily clad women their brain registers the women as objects to be acted on. Christie Nicholson reports

The Scent of Sexual Sweat

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:00:08 -0000

Do you like the scent of your Valentine? The Journal of Neuroscience reports that certain regions in women's brains are activated when they smell "sexual sweat." Christie Nicholson reports

Muscle Movement Affects How We Hear

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:08 -0000

The area of the brain responsible for movement plays a larger role than previously thought in how we hear speech. Christie Nicholson reports

When an Innocent Confesses to a Crime

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:08 -0000

New research shows the persuasive power of a false confession. It seems the confession itself can corrupt other evidence that may excuse a defendant. Christie Nicholson reports

Surviving a Plane Crash

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:08 -0000

We might think near-death experiences leave survivors, such as those on US Airways Flight 1549, forever suffering from post-traumatic stress and fear, but research concludes otherwise. Christie Nicholson reports

The Persistence of Racism

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:00:08 -0000

Recent research concludes that although people predict they will react negatively to racial slurs, their behavior proves otherwise. Christie Nicholson reports

A Blind Man Sees

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:00:08 -0000

A recent paper in Current Biology provides one of the few human cases of blindsight, the ability for perceptively blind people to respond to visual stimuli, even though they have no awareness of seeing anything. Christie Nicholson reports.

Great Expectations for 2009

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:00:08 -0000

Multiple experiments by Duke University professor Dan Ariely reveal how our expectations hugely influence our decisions, and ultimately, our experiences. Christie Nicholson reports

Beware the Holiday Sugar High

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:00:08 -0000

Recent research concludes that parents significantly overestimate how sugar affects their children's hyperactive behavior. Susannah F. Locke reports.

Gift-Giving for Lovers

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Research suggests that women don't seem to mind if they receive the less-than-perfect gift. Men, on the other hand, are a different story. Susannah F. Locke reports

To Get Good Grades, Get Good Sleep

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:08 -0000

Research suggests that college students don't get enough sleep, and that they are far better off sleeping than cramming for exams. Steve Mirsky reports

Cyberchondria: Online Diagnosis Leads to Obsessive Fear

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:08 -0000

Beware using the Web for self-diagnosis, you'll probably end up with a lot of unnecessary stress, according to a recent study by Microsoft. Christie Nicholson reports

Eat, Exercise and Be Merry

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:50:08 -0000

Research shows that people who write down what they are grateful for may exercise more. Rachel Mahan reports

Beating Loneliness at Its Own Game

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Researchers have found that indulging in feelings of nostalgia curiously combat the sad feelings that accompany loneliness. Christie Nicholson reports

A Bitter Placebo to Swallow

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:50:08 -0000

Research shows that the items surrounding a successful medical treatment, like the type of drink we use to wash down a pill, can sometimes be as effective as the pill itself. Christie Nicholson reports

More Sex for Women?

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A recent analysis of survey responses shows who's cheating: Women, young couples and the over-60 crowd are closing the infidelity gap. Rachel Mahan reports

The Real Monsters on Halloween

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A study shows that young children have a tough time knowing if monsters are real or pretend. Christie Nicholson reports.

Restoring Movement in Paralyzed Limbs

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:40:08 -0000

A study published in Nature shows how an artificial connection restores movement in paralyzed limbs. Christie Nicholson reports

Cell Phones Sometimes Cause Real Pain

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:30:08 -0000

People increasingly complain of being "electrosensitive," claiming that the electromagnetic fields emitted from mobile phones cause them real pain. Christie Nicholson reports

Musicians Think Differently from the Rest of Us

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:45:08 -0000

New research shows that musicians simultaneously use both sides of their brain more often than nonmusicians

Business, Lies and E-mail

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:00:08 -0000

New research finds that business students lie more often in e-mail than when communicating using pen and paper. Christie Nicholson reports

Exposed Untruths Continue to Shape Voter Impressions

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Misinformation on the campaign trail, once disseminated, is hard to undo--especially when it reinforces one's preconceptions. Christie Nicholson reports

Spooky Science: Does a Fear of Ghosts Help Keep Us Honest?

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Does the fear of "someone watching" help put us on the straight and narrow path?

Observers of Walking Figures See Men Advancing, Women in Retreat

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:08 -0000

When viewing figures walking, a curious illusion appears. People perceive male strollers as moving toward them, whereas the female walkers appear to be moving away, regardless of the figure's actual direction. Christie Nicholson reports

Is Fidelity in our Genes?

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:10:08 -0000

A gene that promotes monogamy in rodents may do the same in humans. Researchers think variation in this gene may help predict your man's ability to commit

Hotel Guests Throw in the Towel on the Environment

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:08 -0000

When it comes to using towels in hotels, it's herd mentality, not eco-principles, that leads patrons on a greener path. Christie Nicholson reports

For Online Consumption, the Web Is All About Cool

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:29:08 -0000

Back in 2006 the concept of the "long tail" stated that the Web will turn consumers into lovers of niche products and services, and that the days of the blockbuster are over. But the data tell a different story. Christie Nicholson reports

Olympic Gold Medal: Is the Body Language of Triumph (or Defeat) Biological?

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:00:08 -0000

A study published in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA concludes that our reaction to Olympic victory is innate. Christie Nicholson reports

Rest Assured: The Brain Practices the Day's Lessons as We Sleep

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Studies show we may be doing a lot more than just resting while we sleep. In fact the brain is hard at work, consolidating, sifting and moving the information we acquired during the day. Christie Nicholson reports

A study shows prescription OD accidents are on the rise

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:00:08 -0000

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine shows that fatal medicinal mistakes at home rose substantially in two decades. Christie Nicholson reports

A Whiff of Disaster, Dulled by Dopamine

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Research published in Nature Neuroscience uncovers a remarkable mechanism a female mouse uses to save her babies from dangerous miscarriage.

Dicey Proposition: Animals Are Self-Aware

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Researchers continue to search for a way inside the mind of an animal. One promising study looked at monkeys that make bets

E-Therapy: Working It Out Online

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A new study in The American Journal of Psychiatry evaluates the merits of digital therapy. Christie Nicholson reports.

When Craving Is Better Than Getting

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that our own calming thoughts can significantly dampen the arousal we feel when we are anticipating positive rewards. Christie Nicholson reports.

Why Are Conservatives Happier Than Liberals?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Conservatives have greater subjective life satisfaction than liberals, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Two New York University researchers performed three studies to find out why. Christie Nicholson reports.

Of Two Minds, One Consciousness

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Studies of split-brain patients provide insight into how we form thoughts--specifically how the left brain will create its own narrative based on information it never received. Christie Nicholson reports.

No Fair! My Serotonin Level Is Low

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:08 -0000

The chemical messenger serotonin, thought to be implicated in depression and anxiety, may change the way we see fairness in social situations. Christie Nicholson reports.

Craving for Sex May Trip Other Hungers in Men

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Watching women in bikinis tends to make men more impulsive when it comes to monetary decisions. Christie Nicholson reports.

Is Civilization the Result of Humans' Need to Share?

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A 2007 study published in Science shows that young human children perform as well as apes on intelligence tests, but that kids beat apes in social skills. The lead researcher explains why this difference is crucial. Christie Nicholson reports.

Our Cars, Ourselves

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Increasingly, GPS and voice-activated systems in cars are turning a fairly private place into an open vessel for our habits--and as such, a possible boon for advertisers. But they are also becoming something else: our counselors

You Say "Ga," I say "Ba," but Everyone Hears "Da"

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:45:08 -0000

A fascinating auditory illusion proves that the visual cue of moving lips plays an important role in accurately hearing what people say.

The Lure of Bette Davis Eyes

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:30:08 -0000

Two scientists from the University of Bremen have found that groups of brain cells within the temporal lobe of macaque monkeys, are not only dedicated to recognizing facial features, but each cell is responsible for specific sub-sets of facial features, like eye size.

In Negotiations, If You Feel Your Opponents' Pain, It May Be Their Gain

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:08 -0000

Crucial in any successful negotiation is an accurate understanding of each side's motivations and needs. And although understanding another's needs involves the talent to empathize, research from the journal Psychological Science reveals that feeling another's emotions can be a deal breaker.

Stock Market Winners Get Big Payoff--In Testosterone

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:08 -0000

A study of male traders in London reveals an interesting correlation between testosterone levels and success on the trading floor.

World Wide Suicide: A Self-Termination Community Grows on the Web

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:00:08 -0000

An investigation published in the 'British Medical Journal' reveals that Web searches for information on suicide will likely result in links to pro-suicide sites, which often encourage and facilitate suicide and suicidal ideation.

Brain Images Make Inaccurate Science News Trustworthy

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Research published in the April issue of the journal Cognition shows that the colorful brain images created by functional magnetic resonance imaging can give a perceived credibility to an otherwise flawed science news story.

Learn to Be Kind

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:08 -0000

New research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison finds that we can acquire a greater capacity for compassion through meditation training, in much the same way as athletes or musicians train to improve their skill.

Mind the Alzheimer's Switch

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Neuroscientists recently made a startling discovery--young brains may experience memory loss due to the same mechanism responsible for Alzheimer's.

Experimenting With Drugs

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:08 -0000

While at Stanford in the mid-1960s, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest author Ken Kesey started adding a peculiar ingredient to his homemade venison stew--LSD. Now, more than forty years later, the psychedelic pioneer's beloved drug is giving neuroscientists new clues about what causes schizophrenic psychosis.

Debunking Animal Autism

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Animal behaviorist Temple Grandin believes extraordinary animals think much like autistic geniuses. Now, some neuroscientists say it simply isn't true. *This week's podcast guest hosted by Christopher Intagliata, an intern for Scientific American Mind. www.sciammind.com

If You Like It, It Must Be Rare

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A study out of the business school INSEAD reveals that we tend to invert the economic axiom of short supply leads to high demand, meaning that we also conclude (prematurely and often incorrectly) that anything in high demand must be in short supply.

Fear Raises Self Esteem in Iraqi Teens

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:08 -0000

A survey of 1,000 Iraqi teens reveals a surprising effect of living in a war torn country. Seems that when faced with an indirect threat to one's self or nation, we take action to raise our own self esteem.

The "Me" Generation Isn't So "Me"

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Contrary to the media hype that today's teens are more self-absorbed than generations past, Canadian researchers have found zero evidence for any increase in narcissism, which includes arrogance and self-entitlement, over the last three decades.

Lookin' Crazy in Love

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Psychologist Steven Pinker describes why passionate infatuation, typically associated with unhealthy romantic behavior, may have real advantages for long term commitment.

Bisexuality is a Distinct Sexual Orientation

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Results from a 10-year study show that bisexuality in women is not a transitional phase enroute to lesbianism, but rather a distinct and long-term sexual orientation.

You're so Psychic, Bet You Know This Podcast is About You

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Two Harvard psychologists use neuroimaging to provide what some call the best evidence yet that extrasensory perception (or ESP) does not exist.

Race, IQ and Flynn

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:08 -0000

James Flynn, who noticed that IQ scores have risen by three points every decade (a trend called the Flynn Effect), makes a case for why any racial differences in IQ are not immutable and caused by genetics. For more see his latest book, "What is Intelligence? Beyond the Flynn Effect."

Sibling Conflict Around the Holidays

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:08 -0000

As much as parents try to craft equal gifts for each child around the holidays, siblings still seem to fight over who got the better gift. New research reveals that parents may not always give fairly to each darling, in fact there's one sibling who takes the lion's share.

The Slow Down of Time in Crisis

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Recent research from the Baylor College of Medicine tackles the fascinating experience we have of time slowing down during a terrifying event, like a car accident. Does our brain track time differently during crisis? They say no, it's more about a trick of memory.

Fear Gets Us to the Gym

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Research from the University of Bath reveals that the kind of messaging that persuades us to get to the gym is based on how we see ourselves in the future.

See Your Doc to Stop Smoking

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Two researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health published a review in the November 20th issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, of several hundred smoking studies. They conclude that success in quitting depends on a combo of meds and non-pharmacotherapy, but that a key component is the role of the physician. Just advising a patient to quit, actually doubles their quit rates. And long term follow-up, at least one year, is critical the researchers say.

When the Virtual You Changes the Real You

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Imagine a future where a digital you is influencing the real you; where a communicating clone can convince us to alter our decisions and behavior. Research underway at Stanford University's Virtual Human Interaction Lab has shown that our digital self can persuade our real self to exercise more. (A good thing after gorging on mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie!)

Laughing in the Face of Adversity

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:08 -0000

A poster presented at the Society of Neuroscience meeting reveals that empathy isn't always about matching anothers' emotion. Researchers found that sometimes instead of feeling anothers' pain, we might feel more...amused.

The General Gist of False Memories

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Duke University neuroscientists have found a distinction between memories for specifics versus memories for the overall gist of an event. The latter, the overall impression we have of something, tends to be the memory that is more often false.

How We Can Hear Without Sound

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Research published in Nature describes how spontaneous activity in a developing ear creates the mechanics of hearing in the absence of sound. Researchers say this might help explain the tortuous ringing of tinnitus.

Sexual Orientation Controlled in the Brains of Worms

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Biologists are able to turn on a gene in the brain of nematode worms that leads them to desire same-sex partners.

Clock Genes Might Control the Sleep We Need

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Clock genes, long known to regulate our circadian rhythms, also give clues to what makes sleep so persistent.

God in the Brain?

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:08 -0000

As neuroscientists search for brain circuits that lead to religious experiences, they're touching on some of our deepest questions - like, could religion be explained by a neural quirk? For more on this story, see David Biello's article, "Searching for God in the Brain" in this month's issue of Scientific American Mind.

New Head Protection for Footballers

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:08 -0000

A new high-tech helmet allows coaches and sideline doctors to spot concussions and other dangerous injuries on the football field, in real-time. The head gear has sensors that send impact measurements wirelessly. For more on this story, please read Larry Greenemeier's October 4 article on Sciam.com news.

More Stress Means Less Eating

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Recent studies on a hormone receptor in the brain called CRF2 brought new hope for a solution to obesity. But research in the Journal of Neuroscience cautions: while CRF2 cuts appetite, it also increases stress.

Neurons for Good and Bad Surprises

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:08 -0000

A recent study with monkeys finds that the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, has neurons that fire for good surprises, and different neurons that fire for bad surprises.

Fetal Neurons Found in Adult Brain

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Special cells that control the wiring of a fetus' brain were thought to die off shortly after birth. But scientists have found some of these pre-natal neurons surviving, and communicating, in the adult brain.

Toddlers Beat the Great Apes at Social Learning

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:08 -0000

New research in Science reveals that children and apes are on par when it comes to straight numerical and spatial abilities, but when they're tested on social learning, the children excel.

Going Under Hypnosis Before Going into Surgery

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:08 -0000

Turns out that hypnosis, once thought to be a hocus-pocus parlor trick, may now be considered a legitimate surgical tool

Women Really do Prefer Pink

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:08 -0000

A study has shown that women are more attracted to reddish hues, than to greens, yellows and the universally-loved blues.