Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Minority patients discouraged from cancer screening by negative messages
New behavioural science research published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, found that constantly emphasising the negative consequences of a lack...
'Opt Out' System Could Solve Donor Organ Shortage, Says Researcher
A system of presumed consent for organ donation -- where people have to opt out of donating their organs when they die -- is the best way to tackle a...
Where Have All the Students Gone?
A number of factors are contributing to the declining enrollment of soil science students, and solutions must be discussed by department staff at universities across the nation. The National...
Study: Women Candidates Must Look Good
Women running for top offices need to appear competent and attractive, according to a new study. For male candidates, seeming competent may be enough.
Presidential Candidates' Television Ads Most Negative In History
The 2008 presidential campaign, as reflected in candidates' television spots, has been one of the most negative campaigns in history. A University of Missouri professor analyzed this year's candidates' television...
Nature Magazine endorses Obama (but not because of science policy)
Nature Magazine's latest issue, just published online, endorses Obama. Interestingly, this is not because of "any specific pledge to fund some particular agency or initiative at a certain level." Instead,...
In Decision To Grow, Bacteria Follow The Crowd
When it comes to the decision to wake up and grow, bacterial spores "listen in" to find out what their neighbors are doing and then they follow the crowd, according...
Europe seeks consensus over 'living wills'
The question whether a common European position on advance directives, or 'living wills' is ethically required and practically feasible was discussed at a recent workshop organised by the European Science...
While Prevalent, Sexual Problems In Women Not Always Associated With Distress
The largest such study ever published finds that, while about 40 percent of women surveyed report having sexual problems, only 12 percent indicate that those issues are a source of...
Personality shapes perception of romance, but doesn't tell the whole story
Personality researchers have long known that people who report they have certain personality traits are also more (or less) likely to be satisfied with their romantic partners. Someone who says...
Study shows difficult to read instructions decrease motivation
It is not surprising that people are more willing to participate in a task if it does not require too much effort. What is interesting, however, is the way we...
Phone coaching can help promote modest weight loss
Many Americans rarely leave home without their phones, and that could come in handy for those attempting to lose weight, according to a new study. 'Since so many people use...
New study explores social comparison in early childhood
It has been shown (and probably experienced by all of us) that performing worse than our peers on a particular task results in negative self-esteem and poorer subsequent performance on...
Baby talk: The roots of the early vocabulary in infants' learning from speech
Although babies typically start talking around 12 months of age, their brains actually begin processing certain aspects of language much earlier, so that by the time they start talking, babies...
The First Few Minutes After Death
After countless accounts of near-death experiences, dating as far back as ancient Greece, science is now taking serious steps forward to explore the nature of the phenomenon. A new...
The world's poor deserve better US leadership
The US election has implications for science and foreign aid policy, and so for the poorest people across the developing world.
US science office must promote global collaboration
The White House science office must boost science and technology for international cooperation on many fronts, says Rodney W. Nichols.
Dick Taverne: The prince has to choose
Dick Taverne: If Charles wants to lecture us on the plight of the world he must renounce his claim to the throne
Lost in showbiz: Marina Hyde on Paris Hilton's space flight
Hot on the heels of yesterday's blog special, Wordsworth with Lily Allen, comes a new celebucational series. Take your seats for Special Relativity with Paris Hilton.
New Study to Examine Relationship between Anger and Alcohol Abuse
(PhysOrg.com) -- Research suggests that alcoholics are more likely to experience emotions such as annoyances, frustrations and anger compared to non-alcoholics.
Research finds cross-race friendships can lower stress
(PhysOrg.com) -- Conventional wisdom holds that diversity pays off in higher education. Now researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have found scientific evidence that multiculturalism improves students' experiences on...
Experience soccer games through your cell phone vibration
(PhysOrg.com) -- Buzz buzz...it`s a goal for the home team! By synchronizing a cell phone`s vibrations with the ball in the field, researchers have designed a method that allows cell...
Gender biases in leadership selection during competitions within and between groups
What makes a great leader? Traits that we look for typically include a sense of power, great negotiating skills and lots of charisma. However, a recent study suggests that it...
Tech's Top 10 Election Lows
Just as the 1960 election was the first to be truly shaped by the television medium, this year's presidential throwdown will go down as the first that was undeniably shaped,...
Groundbreaking findings on autism presented at Carnegie Mellon international symposium
Today's autism research draws on a variety of scientific disciplines, from genetics to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to neural development. At the 35th Carnegie Symposium on Cognition, 'Development and...
The New Old Age: Where the Mommy Track Crosses the Daughter Track
Workplace accommodations modeled on child care do not always benefit employees caring for aging parents.
How nonverbal cues in presidential debates are interpreted by voters
Research on nonverbal vocal communication in the presidential debates, published by two Kent State University sociology professors, demonstrates that subtle, non-consciously perceived cues in candidates' voices may provide a clue...
New robot gets rid of bombs
Australian scientists have developed a robot called SPIKER that gets rid of explosives so that soldiers don't expose themselves to the risk.