Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
What Happy People Don’t Do
Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television, a new study finds.
Extreme makeover: Computer science edition
Suppose you have a cherished home video, taken at your birthday party. You're fond of the video, but your viewing experience is marred by one small, troubling detail. There in...
Australians fear weed invasion
The number of Australians concerned with invading weeds has jumped from 6 per cent to 84 per cent over the past five years, research has found.
Sugarfree gum relieves stress
A study has found that chewing sugarfree gum can be helpful – in a multi-tasking test, people chewing gum performed better, were more alert, and were less anxious.
Opinion: Sexual and reproductive health in crisis
Australia has never had a comprehensive national sexual and reproductive health strategy, writes Jenny Ejlak.
Helping children and teens deal with stress in an uncertain time
As families across the country face losses of nest eggs, homes or jobs, their young children and teens need emotional support. Child psychologist Michele C. Thorne, Ph.D., assistant professor of...
Survey highlights support for nanotech in health fields but disapproval elsewhere
A landmark national survey on the use of nanotechnology for 'human enhancement' shows widespread public support for applications of the new technology related to improving human health. However, the survey...
Probing Question: Do women have a higher pain threshold than men?
It`s a familiar sitcom scene: A woman in labor shows Herculean strength while her “birth coach” husband faints dead away.
Suicide is (Relatively) Painless
While previous studies on chronic pain and suicide have focused on subjects already receiving treatment for their pain, a recent study, published in the November/December issue of the journal of...
VIDEO: "Reborn Buddha" Reemerges
After three years of allegedly fasting and meditating in a Nepal jungle, an 18-year-old revered by some as a reincarnation of Buddha meets his followers.
Bushfires leave a bad taste for wine lovers
(PhysOrg.com) -- Australian winemakers are turning to the University of Adelaide to help identify grape varieties that are less susceptible to smoke from summer bushfires.
Veterans’ Families Seek Aid for Caregiver Role
Veterans groups are pursuing legislation to allow families of soldiers with traumatic injuries to be paid for caregiving.
Scientists determine the fishiest election ever
A school of fish recently held the aquatic equivalent of a two-party election to choose a leader. There was no electoral college involved, and the outcome wasn't even close.
Fear, misconceptions keep many African-Americans from getting mammograms
Training physicians and caregivers to improve cultural sensitivity and communication with economically disadvantaged African-American patients could influence these women to get mammograms that could save their lives, according to a...
Placebo acupuncture is associated with a higher pregnancy rate after IVF
A study comparing the effects of real and placebo acupuncture on pregnancy rates during assisted reproduction has found that, surprisingly, placebo acupuncture was associated with a significantly higher overall pregnancy...
EBay vendor passes gigantic feedback milestone
(AP) -- If you've ever sold something on eBay, you may have been pleased to receive positive feedback from the buyer. Multiply that by a million, and you can...
Balance between traditional activities, tourism key to sustaining coastal Alaska communities
When Lee Cerveny arrived in coastal southeast Alaska in 1999, she intended to interview local women about their relationship with the natural environment. She soon found, however, that women she...
How our senses combine to give us a better view of the world
From a young age we are taught about the five senses and how they help us to explore our world. Although each sense seems to be its own entity, recent...
Saudi doctors work to change attitudes to female genital mutilation
It was encouraging to see the uncompromising light of science being shone on the practice of female genital mutilation this week at the
What attracts the psychopath?
How do psychopaths find their victims? A new study by Dalhousie researchers suggests they are deeply attuned to vulnerable people. 'It's like what you'd see on Animal Planet - the...
Costa Rica launches Google innovation community
Costa Rica's Ministry of Science has introduced a Google group to encourage its citizens to suggest and discuss innovative ideas.
Electronic Arts wants to help people get fit, too
(AP) -- Following in the footsteps of Nintendo's popular "Wii Fit," the video game publisher known for the "Madden" football games is jumping into fitness software targeted mostly at...
Songbirds provide model for speech
LONDON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Scientists at the University of Zurich in Switzerland say songbirds have an internal template used for vocal learning and communication.
Allergists' dander up about Obama quest for dog
(AP) -- Not to put a damper on the Obama family's canine quest, but allergists have a news flash: There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.
Silicon Valley economy shows further signs of distress
Evidence is mounting that Silicon Valley, which previously had seemed relatively unscathed by the global economic crisis, is beginning to feel the pain.
Computerized Carer Lessens Dementia Load
An artificial intelligence coaching system has been developed that will help carers of older adults with moderate dementia. The COACH system uses a camera and computer to deliver interactive advice...
Animated T-shirts make geek gifts for holidays
The holidays are almost upon us and once again I go into my gift buying mode to help you find that perfect holiday gift for the techno-person in your life....
Forgotten but not gone - how the brain takes care of things
(PhysOrg.com) -- Thanks to our ability to learn and to remember, we can perform tasks that other living things can not even dream of. However, we are only just beginning...