Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Cosmic Log: Give us geeky gift ideas
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Plenty of gift guides point you to high-tech gadgets, but how many point you to nuclear-powered toys? Weigh in with your holiday gift suggestions for...
Homeopathy on the NHS is unethical, doctors tell MPs
Giving homeopathic remedies to patients on the NHS is unethical and a dubious use of public money, scientists and doctors told MPs today.The treatments, which are licensed by the government and offered through...
A timely touch transforms speech perception
Air puffs on the hand or neck influence people’s ability to hear certain spoken sounds.
Auditory illusion: How our brains can fill in the gaps to create continuous sound
It is relatively common for listeners to "hear" sounds that are not really there. In fact, it is the brain's ability to reconstruct fragmented sounds that allows us to successfully...
Startled flies may provide insight into ADHD
It seems obvious that naturally waking up from sleep and being startled by something in the environment are two very different emotional states. However, the neuroscience that underlies these different...
Study sheds light on brain's fear processing center
Breathing carbon dioxide can trigger panic attacks, but the biological reason for this effect has not been understood. A new study by University of Iowa researchers shows that carbon dioxide...
Early relationships influence teen pain and depression
This press release is available in French.
Expert Answers on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dr. Nancy Klimas answers readers' questions on the diagnosis chronic fatigue syndrome, its possible link to vaccines, and more.
Linguist: 'Most' means 80 to 95 percent
TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- An Israeli linguist says she has conducted a study that quantifies the meaning of the word "most."
Johnson & Johnson Focus Funding Grant for Parkinson's Research
Dr. Sarit Larisch of the University of Haifa received the prestigious Johnson & Johnson Focus Funding grant for her breakthrough research exploring the cause of brain cell damage in Parkinson's...
Intelligence poorly related to brain size
LONDON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- British scientists say they've found brain size is much less related to the complexity of an organism's thought and behavior than is currently assumed.
Computerized order entry/decision support systems: Effective solution to managing imaging utilization
Providing physicians with a computerized order entry/decision support system that provides immediate feedback regarding imaging appropriateness at the time of ordering may be an effective solution to managing imaging utilization,...
Drug users know their stuff
Drug users are well informed about the harms associated with the drugs they use, and perceive alcohol and tobacco to be amongst the most dangerous substances, according to a survey...
British creationists: some numbers | Andrew Brown
British creationists are numerous, largely irreligious, and ignorant of scienceThe previous blog discussed how creationist opinion formers think: given that formal creationism is a belief that must be taught, this seems a sensible...
On-call radiology residents accurately interpret off-hours neuro CT exams
On-call radiology residents generally provide accurate preliminary interpretation of emergency neuroradiology CT scans after hours when attending neuroradiologist unavailable, according to results of a large study performed at a level...
Homeopathy: MPs on science committee grill experts | Live blog
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has called in homeopathy practitioners and scientists to discuss evidence for the alternative therapy. Join us as the debate unfolds8.32am: It would be nice to...
My DNA dilemma | Alan Johnson
The liberty-security balance is centuries old. On the DNA database, I think we're getting it rightAs Willie Whitelaw once noted, balancing the rights of the individual against the rights of society as a...
Learning His Body, Learning to Dance
A determined choreographer has done what therapists could not: She has dramatically changed the way Gregg Mozgala, a 31-year-old actor with cerebral palsy, walks.
Ultrasound enhances noninvasive Down syndrome tests
The addition of a "genetic sonogram" maximizes the accuracy of noninvasive testing for Down syndrome, according to new research.
Got a pain? -- Have a cup of Brazilian mint
For thousands of years it has been prescribed by traditional healers in Brazil to treat a range of ailments from headaches and stomach pain to fever and flu.
Hormones, incentive, experience "make best traders"
LONDON (Reuters) - British scientists say a perfect combination of testosterone, experience and a hunger for a share of profits can produce financial traders who consistently outperform the market --...
Houston, we have a baby
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Shuttle Atlantis astronaut Randy Bresnik awoke early on Sunday to a much-anticipated call that his new daughter had been born.
Most top medical journals have conflict of interest policies available for public review
Nearly 90 percent of medical journals with relatively high impact factors have policies addressing author conflict of interest (COI) available for public review, according to a report in the November...
Cell phones to provide picture of human interaction
(PhysOrg.com) -- Cell phones to their ears, a team of research participants will report their interpersonal interactions in real time to provide a better view of human behavior thanks to...
Coherent after coma? Not so sure
A Belgian man who was thought to be in a coma for 23 years shared these feelings with a reporter today: "It was especially frustrating when my family needed me....
Crib anxiety jams Stork Craft website, phones
Parents say they are unable to get through to Stork Craft, the B.C.-based company involved in a massive recall of baby cribs after four infant deaths.
I always knew he could understand, says mother of man locked in 'coma'
Fina Nicolaes tells how she never gave up on son written off as brain deadIt was 2am on a bleak Belgian Sunday in November when Fina Nicolaes received the news that every...
Female breadwinners bring home the bacon and tension
In nearly a third of U.S. households, women are the sole or main breadwinners for their families, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This number is increasing as...