Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
The politics of coronavirus: Who gets the blame if major new outbreaks come as California reopens?
Though local officials point to Gov. Gavin Newsom's guidelines as part of the reason they felt it was the right time to reopen their counties, time will tell if the...
Sex during a pandemic can be risky. Here’s how to do it safely.
Having sex with people outside your social distancing circle can be made safer by showering before and after, avoiding contact with other bodily fluids (including kissing), and wearing a mask during sex. (Pexels/)Social...
Experts say not enough proof expensive body cameras will reduce police violence
Ottawa is considering outfitting Canadian police with cameras following protests against violence by some officers, but experts say there is not enough proof the expensive technology is effective.
California got screwed in the race for coronavirus face masks. But it's not alone
An analysis of purchasing data reveals that while some states fared well, others overpaid, some falling victim to fraudulent and inexperienced contractors
South Korea to charge defectors with violation of inter-Korea law
The South Korean government says it is charging two North Korean defector organizations with violation of an inter-Korea cooperation law.
How doctors use stories to help them cope with the coronavirus crisis
Amid the fear and uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus, doctors and nurses are using narrative medicine to communicate more openly with their patients.
How doctors use stories to help them cope with the coronavirus crisis
Amid the fear and uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus, doctors and nurses are using narrative medicine to communicate more openly with their patients.
Women still left out of much medical research
Your sex matters when it comes to your health, yet women may still be an afterthought in research studies.
GOP senators draft police reform bill in response to national protests
After two weeks of protests against police brutality and GOP push back against police reforms, Republican senators, led by Sen. Tim Scott, have put together draft legislation to address racial...
Race-based COVID-19 data collection should be mandatory, says City of Vancouver committee
The city's racial equity committee joins health advocates, elected officials and human rights commissions across the country who say racialized communities are at high risk of contracting the disease and...
Science News will observe #ShutDownSTEM on June 10
On Wednesday, June 10, Science News will suspend publication for the day to join in #ShutDownSTEM and #StrikeforBlackLives. This movement — sparked by recent police killings of black people in the United States...
Researchers put a price tag on alcohol use
Alcohol use disorders are associated with high social welfare and health care costs -- but what causes them? A new new study looks at the magnitude and reasons behind the...
How effective are language learning apps?
Researchers recently conducted a study focusing on Babbel, a popular subscription-based language learning app and e-learning platform, to see if it really worked at teaching a new language.
Panel puts ‘defining moment’ of Floyd killing into context
As public protests against the police killings of George Floyd and other African American men and women continue in all 50 states and hundreds of other countries, scholars are looking to place...
A governor, a pharmacist and a nun: How South Korea's coronavirus stimulus money wound through a city
South Korea goes on a spending spree with coronavirus stimulus checks.
Simple way of 'listening' to chicks could dramatically improve welfare
A simple and low-cost method of 'listening' to chicks may allow welfare issues to be picked up at the earliest possible opportunity, according to new research.
Sharpton: George Floyd's life won't matter until someone pays the cost for taking it
The Rev. Al Sharpton asked for support for the family of George Floyd and called for police reform at a funeral service Tuesday at The Fountain of Praise church in...
Boys' poor reading skills might help explain higher education gender gap
Researchers found boys' poor reading skills in adolescence, combined with the social attitudes about women attending college, can help explain why fewer men than women enroll in higher education or...
Human presence weakens social relationships of giraffes
Living close to human settlements disturbs the social networks of giraffes. They have weaker bonds with other giraffes and fewer interactions with other members of the species, an international study...
Artificial brains may need sleep too
Neural networks that become unstable after continuous periods of self-learning will return to stability after exposed to sleep like states, according to a study of simulated spiking neural networks, suggesting...
First-ever study of the culture of Harvard Athletics
A first-ever study of Harvard Athletics found that the majority of student-athletes consider their experience on teams to be formative, rewarding, and demanding, and they feel supported by coaches, teammates, and the athletics...
Quebec surpasses 5,000 deaths from COVID-19
"I want to offer my sympathies to the families of these victims. As a government, this tells us that we must do better in the future," said Premier François Legault,...
100 years later, scholars revisit the Secret Court at Harvard
Sophomore Amit Paley was researching a story for the Harvard Crimson in 2002 when an unrelated note in the University Archives database caught his eye. The entry was titled “Secret Court Files, 1920,”...
Chicago's deadliest weekend in decades could mean a violent summer
Experts and residents believe a violent summer may be in store for Chicago after gun violence exploded to record highs during the first weekend of unrest following the police-involved killing...
Monkeys appreciate lifelike animation
Monkeys can overcome their aversion to animated monkeys through a more realistic avatar, according to new research.
Monkeys prefer to interact with a more realistic avatar
Just like humans, monkeys experience the uncanny valley effect, but researchers were able to overcome the effect using a more realistic avatar.
Engaging in family meals starts with healthy family communication
Engaging in family meals may be a matter of improving communication and support at home. A new study connects less family discouragement and better family communication with a higher likelihood...
Unexpected uncertainty can breed paranoia
In times of unexpected uncertainty, such as the sudden appearance of a global pandemic, people may be more prone to paranoia, new researchers.