Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Got emotional wellness app? It may be doing more harm than good.
Health Got emotional wellness app? It may be doing more harm than good. Julian De Freitas. Photo by Grace DuVal Christina Pazzanese Harvard Staff Writer June 25, 2025 8 min read Study...
As reading scores decline, a study primed to help grinds to a halt
Phil Capin, assistant professor of education, saw two research grants cut in May.Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer Nation & World As reading scores decline, a study primed to help grinds to a halt Partnership...
As wave of dementia cases looms, Law School looks to preserve elders’ rights
Health As wave of dementia cases looms, Law School looks to preserve elders’ rights Sy Boles Harvard Staff Writer July 1, 2025 5 min read Academic experts seek improvements that could protect decision-making...
Can AI be as irrational as we are? (Or even more so?)
Illustration by Judy Blomquist/Harvard Staff Science & Tech Can AI be as irrational as we are? (Or even more so?) Christy DeSmith Harvard Staff Writer July 1, 2025 6 min read Psychologists...
When the falcons come home to roost
Campus & Community When the falcons come home to roost A nest cam has been installed to livestream a pair of peregrine falcons atop the Memorial Hall tower.Photos by Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer...
Highly sensitive science
Science & Tech Highly sensitive science Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer Sy Boles Harvard Staff Writer July 2, 2025 6 min read David Ginty probes pleasure and pain to shed light on autism,...
Meditation provides calming solace — except when it doesn’t
Health Meditation provides calming solace — except when it doesn’t Researchers find ways to promote altered states of consciousness, reduce risks of distress that affect some Jacob Sweet Harvard Staff Writer July 7,...
Did Jane Austen even care about romance?
Arts & Culture Did Jane Austen even care about romance? Scholars contest novelist’s ‘rom-com’ rep as 250th anniversary ushers in new screen adaptations Eileen O’Grady Harvard Staff Writer July 7, 2025 5 min...
Is the secret to immortality in our DNA?
Arts & Culture Is the secret to immortality in our DNA? Photo by Maryam Hiradfar Samantha Laine Perfas Harvard Staff Writer July 8, 2025 7 min read Alum’s campus novel offers cautionary...
An outdoor museum, rooting for the away team, and an alt-rock anthem
Campus & Community An outdoor museum, rooting for the away team, and an alt-rock anthem Photo illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff July 15, 2025 2 min read Chan School professor recommends 3 ways...
In the News – NPR – Brivanlou
Embryo Experiments Reveal Earliest Human Development, But Stir Ethical Debate “‘The amazing thing is that it’s doing its thing without any information from mom,’ Brivanlou says. ‘It just has...
Study tests the “three-hit” theory of autism
Could a genetic predisposition to autism together with early stress have a more detrimental effect on boys than on girls? In experiments with mice, researchers found evidence that three factors—genes,...
In the News – NBC News – Young
This Night Owl Gene Mutation Turns People Into Sleep Martians “‘It’s as if these people have perpetual jet lag, moving eastward every day,’ said Michael Young, who oversaw the study....
A dog’s taste for TV may depend on its temperament
Anxious dogs might react nervously to some television sounds, a survey of dog owners reports, while hyper ones might try to play chase.
A child’s biological sex may not always be a random 50-50 chance
Some people’s biology may set them up to birth babies of a certain sex, explaining why a family with multiple children may have all girls or all boys.
Just 5 minutes a day of these exercises can sharpen your brain as you age
A recent study found that 'huff-and-puff' movements, like running or lap swimming, were associated with better brain functions including information processing, focusing and multitasking and short-term memory.
State moves to suspend licenses of troubled L.A. nursing home companies
The seven companies were all cited for errors that led to residents' deaths.
'Chaotic and deeply frightening': Once a global gold standard, U.S. government health guidance is falling apart
Government-provided health information now comes with disclaimers that the government can't be trusted.
Lopez: A candid take on mortality and the power of friendship
David Mays, a cancer survivor, is dying — but he's at peace with his fate because he's got friends, love and support.
National suicide prevention hotline plans to stop offering LGBTQ+ youth counseling. Queer advocates in L.A. wonder what's next
The Trump administration's decision to stop working with the Trevor Project to provide suicide prevention hotline services to LGBTQ+ youth is the latest in a string of setbacks for the...
Ex-eBay employees charged with mailing spiders, cockroaches and pig mask to critics
Six former eBay employees are facing federal charges after being accused of running a cyberstalking campaign that authorities say went far beyond sending threats.
Tesla's cybertruck draws crowds at Petersen Automotive Museum
Car and technology enthusiasts gathered at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to take a sneak peek at Tesla's anticipated cybertruck. Kris Van Cleave reports.
Want to make new friends? Talk about your favorite TV shows online
New research identifies how watching fictional television series and participating in online forums that are dedicated to the shows can help female audiences express themselves and feel a sense of...
Eye patterns in children: The development of anxiety and emotion
We now know that anxious children tend to avoid making eye contact, and this has consequences for how they experience fear. New research shows that the shorter and less frequently...
Gender norms are still important for women's choice of college major
Traditional cultural norms about gendered roles and femininity still matter for women's choice of college major, according to new research. Researcher have shown how long-held cultural norms about femininity may...
Young people with chronic illness more likely to attempt suicide
Young people between the ages of 15 and 30 living with a chronic illness are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their healthy peers, according to a new...
Older users like to snoop on Facebook, but worried others might snoop on them
Older adults are drawn to Facebook so they can check out pictures and updates from family and friends, but may resist using the site because they are worried about who...
How particular fear memories can be erased
Researchers have devised a method to selectively erase particular fear memories by weakening the connections between neurons involved in forming these memories. In their experiments, they found that fear memory...