Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Young people with chronic illness more likely to attempt suicide
Young people between the ages of 15 and 30 living with a chronic illness are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their healthy peers, according to a new...
Older users like to snoop on Facebook, but worried others might snoop on them
Older adults are drawn to Facebook so they can check out pictures and updates from family and friends, but may resist using the site because they are worried about who...
How particular fear memories can be erased
Researchers have devised a method to selectively erase particular fear memories by weakening the connections between neurons involved in forming these memories. In their experiments, they found that fear memory...
Israel admits 'technical error' in airstrike that kills 6 children
Ten people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on Sunday, including six children who were waiting to fill water containers near a refugee camp, emergency service workers said.
Muhammadu Buhari, former president of Nigeria, dies at age 82
Muhammadu Buhari, the former president of Nigeria who led the country as both a military ruler after a coup and later as the elected president, has died at the age...
Russia fires 136 drones at Ukraine ahead of Trump-NATO head meeting
Russia fired 136 drones at Ukraine, Kyiv's air force, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with NATO head Mark Rutte, where the two are expected to announce a new...
Nine dead, several hurt in Massachusetts assisted living complex fire
A fire at an assisted living complex in Massachusetts is under investigation Monday after it left several dead and injured Sunday night.
Tennis star Tommy Paul engaged to influencer Paige Lorenze
American tennis star Tommy Paul and influencer Paige Lorenze are engaged, the couple announced on their Instagram accounts on the final night of Wimbledon 2025.
How does your brain know something is real?
It’s a foggy day in New York City. Through my computer screen, I believe I’m seeing and hearing neuroscientist Nadine Dijkstra. But how can I be sure? “We are as much creating...
In the News – NPR – Brivanlou
Embryo Experiments Reveal Earliest Human Development, But Stir Ethical Debate “‘The amazing thing is that it’s doing its thing without any information from mom,’ Brivanlou says. ‘It just has...
Study tests the “three-hit” theory of autism
Could a genetic predisposition to autism together with early stress have a more detrimental effect on boys than on girls? In experiments with mice, researchers found evidence that three factors—genes,...
In the News – NBC News – Young
This Night Owl Gene Mutation Turns People Into Sleep Martians “‘It’s as if these people have perpetual jet lag, moving eastward every day,’ said Michael Young, who oversaw the study....
Born this way? Researchers explore the science of gender identity
NEW YORK (Reuters) - While President Donald Trump has thrust transgender people back into the conflict between conservative and liberal values in the United States, geneticists are quietly working on...
From ‘joyous’ to ‘erotically engaged’ to ‘white-hot angry’
Arts & Culture From ‘joyous’ to ‘erotically engaged’ to ‘white-hot angry’ Stephanie Burt’s new anthology rounds up 51 works by queer and trans poets spanning generations Eileen O’Grady Harvard Staff Writer June 12,...
Out of sight but not out of mind
Elena Luchkina is a research scientist in the Department of Psychology.Photo by Grace DuVal Science & Tech Out of sight but not out of mind By 15 months, children can learn names...
Brainwashing? Like ‘The Manchurian Candidate’?
Rebecca Lemov.Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer Nation & World Brainwashing? Like ‘The Manchurian Candidate’? More than vestige of Cold War, mind-control techniques remain with us in social media, cults, AI, elsewhere, new book argues...
Projects help students ‘build bridges’ across differences
Campus & Community Projects help students ‘build bridges’ across differences Julie McDonough Harvard Correspondent June 17, 2025 long read Online games and small group discussions provide opportunities for people with contrasting points of...
From bad to worse
Arts & Culture From bad to worse Photo illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Sy Boles Harvard Staff Writer June 23, 2025 6 min read Harvard faculty recommend bios of infamous historical figures Writing...
Reading skills — and struggles — manifest earlier than thought
Science & Tech Reading skills — and struggles — manifest earlier than thought New finding underscores need to intervene before kids start school, say researchers Liz Mineo Harvard Staff Writer June 23, 2025...
Why are young people taking fewer risks?
Richard Weissbourd directs the Making Caring Common Project at Harvard.Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer Health Why are young people taking fewer risks? Psychologist describes generation overparented — but also overwhelmed by ‘frightening world’ Sy...
Got emotional wellness app? It may be doing more harm than good.
Health Got emotional wellness app? It may be doing more harm than good. Julian De Freitas. Photo by Grace DuVal Christina Pazzanese Harvard Staff Writer June 25, 2025 8 min read Study...
As reading scores decline, a study primed to help grinds to a halt
Phil Capin, assistant professor of education, saw two research grants cut in May.Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer Nation & World As reading scores decline, a study primed to help grinds to a halt Partnership...
As wave of dementia cases looms, Law School looks to preserve elders’ rights
Health As wave of dementia cases looms, Law School looks to preserve elders’ rights Sy Boles Harvard Staff Writer July 1, 2025 5 min read Academic experts seek improvements that could protect decision-making...
Can AI be as irrational as we are? (Or even more so?)
Illustration by Judy Blomquist/Harvard Staff Science & Tech Can AI be as irrational as we are? (Or even more so?) Christy DeSmith Harvard Staff Writer July 1, 2025 6 min read Psychologists...
When the falcons come home to roost
Campus & Community When the falcons come home to roost A nest cam has been installed to livestream a pair of peregrine falcons atop the Memorial Hall tower.Photos by Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer...
Highly sensitive science
Science & Tech Highly sensitive science Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer Sy Boles Harvard Staff Writer July 2, 2025 6 min read David Ginty probes pleasure and pain to shed light on autism,...
Meditation provides calming solace — except when it doesn’t
Health Meditation provides calming solace — except when it doesn’t Researchers find ways to promote altered states of consciousness, reduce risks of distress that affect some Jacob Sweet Harvard Staff Writer July 7,...
Did Jane Austen even care about romance?
Arts & Culture Did Jane Austen even care about romance? Scholars contest novelist’s ‘rom-com’ rep as 250th anniversary ushers in new screen adaptations Eileen O’Grady Harvard Staff Writer July 7, 2025 5 min...