Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
New mechanism underlying cocaine addiction discovered
Researchers have identified a key epigenetic mechanism in the brain that helps explain cocaine's addictiveness, according to research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the...
Scientists say dolphins should be treated as non-human persons
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists studying dolphin behavior have suggested they could be the most intelligent creatures on Earth after humans, saying the size of their brains in relation to body size...
Synthetic Alcohol Gives Drinkers a Buzz Minus the Hangover, Addiction
Still feeling the sting of New Year's Eve all these days later? A synthetic alcohol substitute developed from chemicals similar in composition to Valium could give users the pleasant feelings of tipsiness without...
Is a positive message music to your ears? | Open thread
'Pro-social' songs have been found to encourage feelings of empathy among listeners. Can you recommend any?Research conducted by Dr Tobias Greitemeyer, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Sussex, shows that students...
Relationships: New year's resolutions for love
January is a month for giving up booze, losing a few pounds – and heading for the divorce lawyers. So it pays to make some new year's resolutions about how to improve...
Acute stress leaves epigenetic marks on the hippocampus
In trying to explain psychiatric disorders, genes simply cannot tell the whole story. The real answers are in the interaction of genes and the environment. Post-traumatic stress disorder requires some...
Earlier bedtimes may help protect adolescents against depression, suicidal thoughts
A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep found that adolescents with bedtimes that were set earlier by parents were significantly less likely to suffer from depression...
Late readers close learning gap
Learning to read younger doesn’t help in the long run, according to a recent study – comparing children who learned at age five or seven.
Telephone Depression Program Offers Benefits At A Moderate Cost
Patients who participate in a structured telephone program to manage their depression appear to experience significant benefits and only a moderate increase in health care costs when compared with those...
Luminosity, Michel Parameter, Phase Space: What A Lousy Title For A Great Post
After re-emerging from a rather debilitating new years' eve banquet, I feel I can provide my own answers to the second batch of physics questions I proposed a few days...
Study focused on cellphone health risks
RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A U.S. scientist says researchers are taking another run at determining whether cellphone use can actually cause cancer.
Tasty leftovers -- of the gadget variety
Being a gadget reviewer often feels like being at a holiday feast. Every day, companies invite me to sample their products, and, even though I know I should turn some...
Adult Learning | Neuroscience: How to Train the Aging Brain
To keep a middle-aged mind sharp, shake up what you already know.
Gizmos get physical
Fitness apps, gadgets and websites log your every move and help motivate and keep track of workouts. It's almost a New Year's ritual. You set a fitness goal for the fresh year...
Fitness boot camps offer what gyms cannot
Instructors shuffle exercises between cardio and muscle building, and participants foster camaraderie not found in gyms. ...
Sweden culls its resurgent wolves
Sweden is launching its first wolf cull in 45 years, following a decision by parliament to control the species' numbers.
Montana 3rd state to allow doctor-assisted suicide
(AP) -- The Montana Supreme Court said Thursday that nothing in state law prevents patients from seeking physician-assisted suicide, making Montana the third state that will allow the procedure.
China nabs 5,400 people for online porn in 2009
(AP) -- Chinese authorities caught nearly 5,400 suspects last year in a crackdown on online pornography and have vowed to strengthen Internet policing.
Addictive effects of caffeine on kids being studied by UB neurobiologist
Caffeine is a stimulant drug, although legal, and adults use it widely to perk themselves up: Being 'addicted' to caffeine is considered perfectly normal...
For Ailing Illegal Immigrants, Return Home Brings No Relief
After a dialysis clinic closed in Atlanta, illegal immigrants who returned to Mexico have struggled to pay for care.
Don't Shelter Your Children: Coping With Stress As A Child Develops Resilience And Emotion Regulation As An Adult
We already know that "suffering builds character", but a new study suggests that it may do a lot more than that. Successfully coping with stress at an early age may...
Device turns thoughts into speech
Scientists embed an electrode directly into a patient's brain and then develop a computer system to read his thoughts. Brain - Speech Technology - Research -...
Science 2009 in pictures: Scary monsters and moonwalkers
The past year has seen momentous discoveries in the world of science, and a celebration of one of humankind's greatest technological achievements: Apollo 11
Senator Nelson Defends His Health Care Vote
Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, has been feeling the heat from critics and former supporters.
Seeking a Cure for Optimism
The power of positive thinking is under assault, with a number of writers and researchers questioning the notion that looking on the bright side makes much of a difference.
The mental cost of freedom
Hostage expert Dr James Thompson on how Peter Moore will have survived his captivity and how he is likely to fare after his release"People always regret making certain choices in their lives. If...
Preparing for successful aging
It's never too early or too late to start working toward the goal of improving brain health. So perhaps the New Year is the perfect time to consider how one...
10 New Year\'s Resolutions to Keep You Alive
Some of the best approaches to health care are cheap and within your grasp, if only you can find the will to make some lifestyle changes.