Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Pleasant, Foul Odors Influence Our Dreams, Study Says
You don't have to wake up to smell the roses: Exposure to a rose scent means pleasant dreams, while smelling rotten eggs gives dreams a negative cast, researchers found.
Tragic star Natascha McElhone to play a legend of medicine
Widow of groundbreaking surgeon to star in film about first British woman to become a doctor
Older Aussies will need housing
Social research has found that demand for public housing is likely to increase a lot in the next decade – and most of this from older Australians with specific needs.
Bullies target sexually confused
Research has found that around one in 10 students who struggle with their sexual identity are under threat from homophobic bullies.
Face Blindness Research Shows Emotions Are Key In The Study Of Face Recognition
Recognizing faces is usually an effortless process. However, a minority of people have difficulties identifying the person they are meeting or remembering people they have met before. These problems can...
Bats pick up rustling sounds against highway background noise
Listening for faint rustling noises made by tasty beetles on a quiet day is simple for bats hunting with their exquisitely sensitive hearing. So try imagining what it must be...
Olfactory stimuli may influence dreams
What you smell as you sleep has the power to influence your dreams, says new research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation...
Study Finds Few Pain Doctors Face Criminal Prosecutions
A new study has found that doctors are rarely criminally prosecuted or sanctioned in connection with the prescribing of narcotic painkillers.
China seeks public trust amid milk scandal
(AP) -- China's leaders scrambled Saturday to contain public dismay over widespread contamination of milk supplies, castigating local officials for negligence while moving to tamp down criticism of the...
Marilyn Fithian dies at 87; influential sex therapist
The co-founder of the Center for Marital and Sexual Studies in Long Beach 'helped legitimize and destigmatize sex research.' ...
Theo Hobson: Creationists? They just don't have enough faith
Theo Hobson: I believe God created me – a statement requiring total faith on my part. That doesn't mean I can't believe in evolution, too
Mobile Video Communication From A Mountain Top
Imagine being able to communicate with video images anywhere in the world. Regardless of the connection you still have a good image of the person you are communicating with. Ulrik...
Harnessing New Technology To Keep Older People Behind The Wheel For Longer
A new study has highlighted the key role technology could play in extending the age at which people can drive safely on our roads.
Putting Pictures Into Words
Visual images can contain a wealth of information, but they are difficult to catalogue in a searchable way. European researchers are generating and combining scraps of information to create a...
Easier-to-hit 'Targets' Could Help Older People Make The Most Of Computers
Older people could make better use of computers if icons, links and menu headings automatically grew bigger as the cursor moves towards them.
You've Got to Be Flexible to Live in Complex Societies
Study shows link between social complexity and personal restraint
Pictures Of Hot Fudge Sundaes Arouse: Understanding Emotions Improves Our Food Choices
Menus and advertising affect our emotions, and if we understand those emotions, we make better food choices, according to a new study.
Which do you answer: Mail or Email?
Surveys used to be done by snail mail. Many are now done by e-mail. Many have speculated that this effects who responds and what the answers are, but recent research...
New Waterford woman rallies public to stop ER closures
The latest round of temporary emergency room closures in Cape Breton has forced a New Waterford woman into action.
Open thread: Is political orientation really influenced by biology?
Open thread: New research suggests that genetically inherited responses to fear can predict political preferences. Do you agree?
Some Political Views May be Related to Physiology
People who react more strongly to bumps in the night, spiders on a human body or the sight of a shell-shocked victim are more likely to support public policies that...
Left, Right; Obama, Mccain: It May Not be What You Think
By monitoring people's physical sensitivities to things like sudden noises and threatening visual images, political scientists were able to conclude that physiological reactions help predict variations in political beliefs.
The Rock Stars Of Video Game Marketing
The game Guitar Hero took playing air guitar to a whole new level - and now it's bringing the real music industry into the fold. Anthony Mason explains the phenomenon...
People use similar search strategies
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've found people choose similar strategies to search for both for physical objects and words.
Women have the numbers but find college is still a struggle
(PhysOrg.com) -- Women may maintain a numerical advantage over men at U.S. colleges and universities, but they also experience greater economic hardship, higher levels of stress and less academic confidence,...
Left, Right; Obama, McCain: It may not be what you think
(PhysOrg.com) -- Why does it seem many people begin with political preferences and then try to find reasons justifying their inclinations? Why is it so difficult to sway people who...
Political views 'all in the mind'
A person's political views may be an expression of their innate psychological makeup, research in the US suggests.
Dr James Ost discusses his research into false memories and how they relate to the London bombings
Dr James Ost discusses his research into false memories and how they relate to the London bombings