Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Caltech neurobiologists discover individuals who 'hear' movement
Individuals with synesthesia perceive the world in a different way from the rest of us. Because their senses are cross-activated, some synesthetes perceive numbers or letters as ...
Tuning In To A New Language On The Fly: Effects Of Context And Seasonality On Songbird Brain
New research has shown that exposure to a changed acoustic and social environment can rewire the way the brain processes sounds. Study of the responses of individual brain cells has...
Human yawn contagious to dogs -- a sign of canine empathy, study finds
In a sign they may indeed be best friends, a study finding that dogs tend to yawn after watching a human do it could indicate an ability to share feelings,...
Post-partum Suicide Attempt Risks Studied
Although maternal suicide after giving birth is a relatively rare occurrence, suicide attempts often have long-lasting effects on the family and the infant. Researchers compared two populations of mothers and...
I Can, Automatically, Become Just Like You
No one likes to be excluded from a group: exclusion can decrease mood, reduce self-esteem and feelings of belonging, and even ultimately lead to negative behavior (e.g., the shootings at...
Connections Between Genetics, Brain Activity And Preference Discovered
Researchers have used brain imaging, genetics and experimental psychology techniques to identify a connection between brain reward circuitry, a behavioral measurement of preference and a gene variant that appears to...
When Neurons Fire Up: Study Sheds Light On Rhythms Of The Brain
Neuroscientists have modeled the random synchronization of neuron activation. The findings expand scientists' understanding of brain rhythms, both reoccurring and random, and shed light on the decades-old mystery of how...
Jeers Of Peers May Affect Adolescent Adjustment
A researcher suggests that the struggles of adolescence can be particularly painful for children who also struggle with obesity.
Personal Best: Is Stretching All It’s Cracked Up to Be?
Investigators explore the effectiveness of stretching by trying to separate real benefits from imagined ones.
Context And Personality Key In Understanding Responses To Emotional Facial Expressions
It is well-appreciated that facial expressions play a major role in nonverbal social communication among humans and other primates, because faces provide rapid access to information about the identity and...
When It Comes To Abstinence Teens, Adults Aren't Speaking The Same Language
Abstinence can mean different things to adolescents than to adults. That's one reason why abstinence-only programs do not have strong effects in preventing teenage sexual activity, according to new research.
Alcohol Consumption Declining, According To Results Of New Study
Overall alcohol use -- particularly consumption of beer -- is declining in the US, according to a new study. Researchers examined 50 years of data and found several changes in...
VIDEO: Razing Historic Beijing Homes
China is demolishing Beijing homes in historic neighborhoods known for their narrow alleyways, or hutongs, spurring protests.
Study shows playing video games can change behaviour and biology
(PhysOrg.com) -- Video games are among the most popular entertainment media in the world. Now, groundbreaking research involving McMaster University researchers shows that a specially designed video game can promote...
Studies show people underestimate the willingness of others to help them out
For many of us, the thought of asking someone for help or a favor--be it a colleague, friend or stranger--is fraught with discomfort. We figure we're imposing or tend to...
German professor in sex discrimination battle
Row throws spotlight on dearth of top female academics in the country.
Review: With 10-inch screen, Eee PC grows up
(AP) -- When Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc. brought out the Eee PC last year, it created a whole new category of tiny, cheap laptops. Despite its success, the computer...
Was mummy King Tut a daddy? - DNA tests for tomb foetuses
DNA tests are to be conducted on the mummified remains of two stillborn children found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, Egyptian officials say.
Who would win caveman Olympics?
Olympic athletes may benefit from today's high-tech training, but their gymnastics or wrestling performance probably pales in comparison to what early human ancestors could have pulled off.
Gender equality on the slide?
(PhysOrg.com) -- Cambridge University study suggests growing numbers of people are concerned about working mums' impact on family life.
Black girls who abuse alcohol less likely to use condoms
Black girls who abuse alcohol are more likely to have unprotected sex despite having participated in interventions that stressed the importance of consistent condom use.
Interdisciplinary science: Harvard under review
Harvard is embarking on an experiment to foster collaboration and interdisciplinary research. Corie Lok looks at whether it can change its culture and reinvent communities along the way.
Why Some Smokers Become Addicted With Their First Cigarette
New research reveals how the brain processes the "rewarding" and addictive properties of nicotine, providing a better understanding of why some people seemingly become hooked with their first smoke. The...
Olympic Games: Researchers Explore What Makes Better Athletes, The Physiology Of Performance, And More
The world-record pace for the marathon continues to improve for both men and women. For men, the record pace for the marathon is now about as fast as the record...
Better alert system sought for False Creek water pollution
Vancouver Coastal Health is examining ways to better alert people about False Creek's water quality after boaters complained they were not made aware of health warnings.
Morro Bay pot dispensary owner found guilty of federal charges
Charles Lynch, whose trial involved conflicting marijuana laws, was found guilty of five counts of distributing drugs. ...
H&M breastfeeding coverup sparks human rights protest
A Vancouver mother plans to complain to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal after she was told she had to nurse in the changing room of a major clothing retailer, she...
Bush expected to approve toy safety law
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. lawmakers said President George Bush is expected to sign a law banning lead and six types of phthalates in toys.