Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Our unconscious brain makes the best decisions possible
Researchers at the University of Rochester have shown that the human brain—once thought to be a seriously flawed decision maker—is actually hard-wired to allow us to make the best decisions...
Skipping sleep 'hardens arteries'
People who scrimp on sleep are more likely to develop hardening of their arteries, a US study suggests.
Visual Areas Of Brain Respond More To Valuable Objects, Brain-imaging Shows
Dollar signs for eyes -- cartoonists have been drawing them for years, and the artists, while whimsical, may have been onto something. According to new research, areas of the brain...
Rice psychologist identifies area of brain key to choosing words
New research by a Rice University psychologist clearly identifies the parts of the brain involved in the process of choosing appropriate words during speech...
Sleep disorder linked to dementia
MONTREAL, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- People with a sleep disorder who kick or cry out during sleep may be at greater risk for developing dementia, says a study...
Bill offers help in TV conversion
With the nation's transition to digital TV two months away, U.S. Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont has proposed a new government coupon program to subsidize rooftop antennas for people with...
Spotless Mind? Unwanted Memories Might Be Erasable Without Harming Other Brain Functions
A molecule known to preserve memories -- PKMzeta -- specifically stores complex, high-quality memories that provide detailed information about an animal's location, fears and actions, but does not control the...
Resolve to take personal inventory this New Years, psychologist says
The end of the year is a time when many of us will make resolutions to lose weight or quit smoking. But instead of making resolutions which are often times...
Police Incompetence Threatens Justice for Children
The case of Caylee Anthony reveals some trends about police work in missing persons cases.
College students find comfort in their pets during hard times
A new study suggests that college students may handle stressful situations better if they have a pet. Research has already shown that pets can improve the quality of life for...
NIST guides genetic genealogy labs toward improved accuracy
Anyone who has watched crime dramas on TV knows that forensic scientists can use DNA 'profiling' to identify people from evidence gathered at a crime scene, establish a paternity link...
Electronic methods potentially secure for sending blank ballots overseas
Electronic technologies could be deployed immediately and reliably to augment slower postal mail for distributing ballots to U.S. citizens living abroad, but using telephone, e-mail, and the Web to transmit...
Iowa State study finds early family depression has lasting effects on teens, young adults
The country's economic crisis could have lasting effects on children from families that fall into poverty, according to a new paper by researchers from Iowa State University's Institute for Social...
Humans aren't alone in giving gifts
At Christmas time, we usually expect presents in return for the gifts we give out. And now it seems we humans aren't alone in this calculating attitude. New research published...
For Best Results, Ask A Few Thought-provoking Questions
The next time a telemarketer opens with a friendly question, you might stop and wonder why. A new study shows that it is surprisingly effective when salespeople or fundraisers ask...
The Virtue Of Variety: More Options Can Lead To Healthier Choices
Could longer menus lead people to choose salads over French fries? According to a new study, people who choose from a large variety of menu items are more likely to...
Why Do We Believe in Santa?
Having kids believe there's a jolly man in a red suit who visits on Christmas Eve isn't detrimental, although some parents can feel they're outright lying to their children, according...
Campaigns, protests and prison terms: how activists formed militant cell
Profiles of five of the extremists behind the Huntingdon Life Sciences blackmail campaign
The victim: how an indirect connection to Huntingdon Life Sciences made one man an ALF target
William Denison compared his family's hounding by extremists to 'Chinese water torture'
Tool keeps users on trail of success
One day in 2003, at age 60, one-time Cray Research executive Terry Sullivan found himself out of work, out of town and unwilling to do another on-the-road corporate stint.
Older adults at high risk for drug interactions
At least one in 25 older adults, about 2.2 million people in the United States, take multiple drugs in combinations that can produce a harmful drug-drug interaction, and half of...
PlayStation 3 console sales lag behind the competition
Three's a crowd in the video game industry. And it looks like the third wheel this time around is Sony. Going back several console generations, there have always been one...
Pester power: Curbing your child's inner consumer
Regardless of the economic landscape, kids are more consumer-driven than ever and are prime targets for marketers.
India's top science institute must now tackle social needs
The Indian Institute of Science is a shining example of how a developing country can do basic science, but it needs to link its research more to social needs.
Gender Gap In Spatial Skills Starts In Infancy, Psychologists Report
Men tend to perform better than women at tasks that require a person to rotate an object mentally, studies have indicated. Now developmental psychologists have discovered that this type of...
A Walk In The Park A Day Keeps Mental Fatigue Away
If you spend the majority of your time among stores, restaurants and skyscrapers, it may be time to trade in your stilettos for some hiking boots. A new study in...
10 gifts of science for Christmas
What's the story behind white Christmases and the "Star of Bethlehem?" And is it true that a shot of brandy is actually good for you?
Young scientists can boost African health systems
Africa needs postgraduate programmes that focus on local priorities to improve its health systems, say Wilson Savino and colleagues.