New Insight Into Addictive Behavior Offers Treatment Hope

Addictive behavior is determined by conscious, rapid thought processes, not necessarily by the content of visual stimuli as previously thought.

Some short-term memories die suddenly, no fading

The human brain stores some kinds of memories for a lifetime. But when our eyes are open and looking at things, our grey matter also creates temporary memories that help...

For your health, pick a mate who is conscientious and, perhaps, also neurotic

Conscientiousness is a good thing in a mate, researchers report, not just because it's easier to live with someone who washes the dishes without being asked, but also because having...

Study IDs a strange plant-ant relationship

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 30 (UPI) -- A Harvard University biologist says there are many beneficial relationships between organisms but she has discovered a rather strange ant-plant arrangement.

Researcher: Educational reform must change

CHICAGO, April 30 (UPI) -- A University of Chicago researcher says any educational reform, no matter how effective it might seem, must change in order to last.

Why are some young victims of domestic violence resilient?

More than 10 million U.S. children witness domestic violence yearly, resulting in a range of emotional and behavioural problems. A new study suggests that the reason some of these children...

Study suggests left-side bias in visual expertise

Facial recognition is not as automatic as it may seem. Researchers have identified specific areas in the brain devoted solely to picking out faces among other objects we encounter. Two...

Young children think gender-related behaviour is inborn

Young children think about gender in the same way they think about species of animals. They believe, for example, that a boy's preference for football is innate, as is a...

Genetic risk for anxiety does not have to be destiny

A growing body of basic animal research and studies of abused and neglected children provide a strong basis of support for the hypothesis that individuals with particular genotypes are at...

Oxytocin: Love potion #1?

Relationships are difficult and most of us probably think at some point that communicating positively with our partner when discussing stressful issues, like home finances, is an impossible task. ...

Sex-typed Personality Traits And Interests In Siblings

A longitudinal study of first- and second-born siblings shows that sex-typed personality traits (e.g., "expressive" traits in females, "instrumental" traits in males) develop differently in boys and girls. The study...

Adolescents Hold Differing Views On Civic And Political Activity

A new study of finds that on the whole, teens consider civic activity to be obligatory. The study also reveals that boys place a higher priority on political activities while...

Cadbury beats Hershey in London public tasting and poll

A public tasting of Cadbury's and Hershey's chocolate bars by Londoners and tourists in central London resulted in victory for the British chocolate...

Genetic clues to how autism can develop

United in marriage, separated by red tape

A Times journalist on assignment in Baghdad falls in love with an Iraqi reporter for the paper. But it's his brother who is let into the U.S. as her husband...

New Design Strategy For Brain Implants Paves The Way To Multi-electrode Deep-brain Stimulation

Scientists present a new design strategy for brain implants, which it used to create a prototype multi-electrode stimulation & recording probe for deep-brain stimulation.

Got An Itch? New Study Shows How Scratching May Relieve It

Every dog and cat knows that scratching relieves an itch. But for ages, not even neuroscientists knew why. Now, a new study shows that scratching turns off activity in spinal...

Opinion: Commercialisation Push is Disastrous

Business management and the profit motive have put science in a strait-jacket, New Zealand experience shows.

The Truth about Pandemics

Dr. Marc Siegel explains why "pandemic" often inspires more fear than it should, how the media plays on fears, and how governments often make wrong and costly moves. [Flu News]

Parents: Slow Down and Get Off the Marriage-Go-Round

After a divorce or break-up, parents need to be very cautious about bringing new love interests into their homes, according to Andrew Cherlin, a professor in the Department of Sociology...

Company pulls plug on 'Fallujah' video game

(AP) -- The publisher behind a video game based on one of the Iraq war's fiercest battles has pulled the plug on the title, called "Six Days in Fallujah."

Lose your job? Tell your Facebook, Twitter friends

Just minutes after she was laid off from her job earlier this month, Brittany Ward pulled out her cell phone and typed a short message. "Needs a job."

Athletes with asthma need more help from their team trainers

Very few athletic trainers associated with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs said that they were following best practice standards for managing asthma among their athletes, according to a new...

Option Paralysis

When I was little, I loved ice cream more than just about anything. But, as my mom tells it, I would sometimes get to Baskin-Robbins and be so overwhelmed by...

Six from MIT elected to NAS

Six MIT faculty members are among the 72 newly elected members and 18 foreign associates of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in...

Scientists 'prove' face cream can beat wrinkles

Scientists say they have clinical proof that a face cream available on the high street does reduce wrinkles.

Sounds Scare Scrawny People More Easily

Scrawny people tend to think approaching sounds are closer than strong people think they are, a new study found.

Brain Music: Putting The Brain's Soundtracks To Work

Every brain has a soundtrack -- probably many. Can those soundtracks be made useful? When that soundtrack is recorded and played back -- to an emergency responder, or a firefighter...