Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Down syndrome kids with leukemia studied
MEMPHIS, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have identified a new chromosomal abnormality in leukemia that is associated with Down syndrome.
Time in a bottle: Scientists watch evolution unfold
A 21-year Michigan State University experiment that distills the essence of evolution in laboratory flasks not only demonstrates natural selection at work, but could lead to biotechnology and medical research...
Explicit lyrics tied to changes in kids' behaviour
Listening to sexually explicit or violent music lyrics can affect children's schoolwork, social interactions, mood and behaviour, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.
Performance reviews are raising council standards, say researchers
Performance assessment schemes aimed at making local authorities into more effective organisations are having the desired effect, according to new research released by the Economic and Social Research Council. The...
Substance abuse diagnostic test for teens can also predict high risk sexual behaviour
Alcohol and drug use are known contributors to adolescents engaging in dangerous sexual activity; leading to substantial health risks such as unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted illnesses, drug overdoses and alcohol...
Part II: Answering A Question With A Question (or Anecdotes In A Science Blog)
In a previous entry, I discussed Sharon Begley’s Newsweek article titled “Ignoring the Evidence; Why do psychologists reject science?” It nettled a perennial sore spot for me, which is the culture...
Is Humboldt Calamari Healthy? Part I
Now that we're all convinced the Humboldt squid isn't going to eat you, let's turn the question around: can you eat the Humboldt squid? First, from the public health angle: Does...
Finite possibilities of the finite element method
Recently, I have been on a conference of young scientists in Warsaw. These were great three days of meeting people, eating, drinking, sightseeing, and, occasionally, watching some presentations. I didn't...
Constituents of the MInd (CoM)
CONSTITUENTS OF THE MIND (CoM) Ayad Gharbawi September 22, 2009 We now present the basic Constituents of the Mind (CoM): Event/s (E) Sound/s (Sn) Scenery (Sc) Thought (t) Odour (Od) Memory (?) Emotion/s (Em) Nothingness (o)
Analysis Of A Roulette Strategy
As Hank explains in a recent article, when he visits a Casino he plays the Roulette. His simple strategy consists in betting on a single colour, doubling the bet every...
Mental disorders don't hinder headache treatment
Contrary to long-standing thinking, medications may offer comparable headache relief to those with and without mental disorders.
Confronting Bad Behavior: Is There A Social Payoff?
Suppose you are at a busy playground and you hear an 11-year-old using language he didn't learn on Sesame Street. There are plenty of other adults around, but, apparently, not...
Supernatural Coincidences And The Look-Elsewhere Effect
Have you ever caught yourself wondering, upon observing a seemingly utterly unlikely coincidence, whether there was anything supernatural at work that made it happen ? I would guess that all...
A Theory Of Frustration
Being a new parent is one of the hardest jobs on earth. Or, at least, we try very hard to make it so. How many other professionals live in daily...
Home circumcision of 4-year-old ends in conviction
A Vancouver-area father has been found guilty of negligence causing bodily harm after botching a home-circumcision attempt on his four-year-old son, part of the man's spiritual quest to make things...
Science study: Teacher participation in Columbia program improves student achievement in science
NEW YORK (Oct. 16, 2009) -- The notion that training teachers in the rigors of hands-on science will directly improve their students' academic performance now has real data behind...
Adolescents' gambling a part of a cluster of problem behaviors
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ten percent of young adolescent boys -- or one in 10 -- exhibit a symptom of conduct disorder as well as a symptom of risky or problem gambling,...
Report: Delay formal lessons until age 6
LONDON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Until age 5, children need a play-based curriculum and should not begin formal education until age 6, a British review of primary schools said.
Balloon Boy Saga Offers Lesson in Eyewitness Testimony
Lost in all the finger-pointing and confusion: A lying (or mistaken) eyewitness was at the root of the concern.
Monkey drumming suggests origin of music
When monkeys drum, they activate brain networks linked with communication, new findings that suggest a common origin of primate vocal and nonvocal communication systems and shed light on the origins...
Communicating in a pandemic: New research identifies what we want to know and when
(PhysOrg.com) -- How much information do people want in the event of an influenza pandemic? When do they want to be told, and who should the information come from?
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Bridging the divide
(PhysOrg.com) -- Sufferers of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are being brought together in a major new study to determine the diseases? common genetic causes.
Some poor nations succeeding in fighting hunger
BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) -- Government fertilizer has made the difference between hunger and plenty for Rodrick Jesitala, a farmer and father of three in southern Malawi....
Debating Pakistan's higher education overhaul
Three Nature articles display mixed feelings about the success of Pakistan's higher education reforms.
“Is Evolution Fast Enough?” How I Responded
I receive a lot of inquisitive emails from intelligent laymen, and today I received a nice one that asked, in so many words, “Is natural selection fast enough to explain...
What makes a successful society? Social scientists find health care only one piece of the puzzle
(PhysOrg.com) -- New research argues that the health of the population and the success or failure of many public health initiatives hinge as much on cultural and social factors as...
Illuminating 'The Fredo Effect'
(PhysOrg.com) -- Kimberly Eddleston wants to know how the `family` in family-run businesses either serves to constrict or promote a firm`s success.
Organization analyzes how new war weapons will impact society
(PhysOrg.com) -- In the year 2009, when astronauts live in a space station, people send messages around the world with the touch of a finger, and diseases such as polio...