Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Brain Response To Information About The Future Suggests That Ignorance Isn't Bliss
New research demonstrates that single neurons in the reward center of the brain process not only primitive rewards but also more abstract, cognitive rewards related to the quest for information...
Touch Typists Could Help Stop Spammers In Their Tracks
Computer scientists have turned a tedious manual labeling task into an online multi-player game which can help businesses tackle spammers.
Timing Is Everything: Growth Factor Keeps Brain Development On Track
Just like a conductor cueing musicians in an orchestra, Fgf10, a member of the fibroblast growth factor (Ffg) family of morphogens, lets brain stem cells know that the moment to...
Asperger Syndrome, Autism, And Empathy: Study Links 27 Genes
Scientists have identified 27 genes that are associated with a number of traits, including Asperger syndrome, autism, and empathy.
Ask Permission To Use Newborn Data, Parents Say
More than three-quarters of parents would be willing to allow the use of their children's newborn screening samples for research, a new survey shows. But more than half would be...
Instead Of Counting Blessings, Count Money To Feel Good
When we are feeling blue we are told to count our blessings, but according to a new study counting our money might be a more useful activity.
Indigenous health experts reject MP's call for removal of alcohol restriction
Leading medical researchers from Australia's George Institute for International Health are surprised by recent statements made by a Western Australian Member of Parliament, Hon. Carol Anne Martin MLA, who is...
16.5% of university students report physical, emotional abuse
More than 16 per cent of university students were physically or emotionally abused in the six months before they were asked about their experience, a new study headed by University...
Foster care may boost brain activity of institutionalized children
Children raised in institutions are more likely to lag physically, socially, and cognitively, but little is known about what happens to children's brains when they live in institutions. Now a...
Academic disengagement more common for US teens than Chinese
In the United States, adolescence is a time when many teens become less interested in academics. A new longitudinal study has found that this disengagement is greater for American teens...
Market-style incentives to increase school choice have opposite effect
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- A market-based approach to increasing school choice actually leads to fewer educational opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged students in urban areas, according to a University of Illinois...
Mom Who Killed Kids Claims Demons
A women who killed her four girls said they were possessed by demons.
Cosmetic Surgery Appeals To Men, Women With Appearance-based Rejection Sensitivity
Researchers have found that men and women who feel sensitive to rejection based on their physical appearance are more likely to express interest in having cosmetic surgery than those who...
Study sheds light on social brain development
Children develop social skills by learning how to understand others' thoughts and feelings, or their theory of mind. A new study of EEGs of 4-year-olds shows that theory of mind...
Context is key: Differential PI3K signaling and consequences for targeted therapy
In the July 15th issue of G&D, Dr. Suzanne Baker (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) and colleagues report on their surprising discovery of cell-type specificity of PI3K signaling in the...
In Adolescence, Girls React Differently Than Boys To Peers' Judgments
A new study shows what happens in the brains of preteens and teens at a time of significant change in social behavior. Using brain scan technology, researchers found that in...
Tweens Sensitive To Others' Perceptions Of Them
In a new study using brain-mapping techniques, early adolescents and young adults responded to researchers' questions about whether short phrases (such as "I am popular") described them, and whether they...
Aussies love/hate possums
Australians can't make up their minds about possums invading their homes - research has found it makes them feel both at home and unsettled.
Hospital workers smoking -- only the most addicted flout the rules
A survey of staff at Addenbrooke's hospital has shown that those who break the smoke-free policy are generally more addicted than those who respect it. Researchers writing in the open...
Deal or No Deal? Game Show used to study Risk Aversion Behavior
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study in the International Review of Finance , published by Wiley-Blackwell, used data from the popular television game show, 'Deal or No Deal?', to explore risk...
Calming Parents Might Help Kids Cope With Anesthesia
The start of anesthesia can be distressing for children. Although antianxiety drugs can help keep kids calm, side effects exist. Non-drug methods offer alternatives, but a new review of studies...
Twitter ain't cool, British teenager tells global investors
A 15-year-old Briton has set the financial world abuzz with a research note penned for a major US bank in which he reveals teenagers' media habits -- including that Twitter...
Organ donors run risk of being denied health insurance
By not making clear the financial risk of organ donation, insurers put donors in danger of losing affordable coverage and discourage potential donors from helping someone in need. Eight years ago, Los Angeles...
Analysis Of The Personality Of Psychopaths By Means Of Their Drawings
Researchers have developed a method to analyze the personality of people with psychopathologic disorders by means of their drawings. It consists of a series of Graphic Projective Tests (TPG) where...
Newsweek opinion: We need more religious scientists
The United States needs more scientists like Francis Collins—researchers who show by their prominence and their example that a good scientist can still retain religious beliefs.
UK Public Health Program Encourages Masturbation
The British government has thought up a new way to stem that country's high teen pregnancy rate.
Farmers 'key' to badger TB trial
The government lays out details of a badger vaccine trial for cattle TB, and says the attitude of farmers will be crucial.
Reviews of microbial gene language published in special issue of Trends in Microbiology
Blacksburg, Va. -- Ten articles describing how a universal language to describe genes is bringing benefits to the study of the microbial world have been published in a special issue...