Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Sleep problems tied to other woes in kids
Children with sleep-related breathing problems (such as snoring or apnea) frequently have concurrent behavioral sleep problems (such as waking repeatedly) [...]
Study of social network 'check-ins' shows that geographic proximity is still the strongest predictor of friendship
(Phys.org)—The closer you live to another person, the more likely you are to be friends with them despite the growing use and impact of social media, according to a study...
Telecommuting increases work hours and blurs boundary between work and home, new study shows
A new sociology study shows that most telecommuters add five to seven hours to their workweek compared with those who work exclusively at the office.
Social media may help fight childhood obesity
Social media may be an effective way to help children overcome obesity, according to experts. Parental involvement and online interaction with counselors and peers led to greater success for overweight...
Professor's Research Leads to Overturning Error in Federal Trademark Statute
Research by Indiana University Kelley School of Business Professor Tim Lemper was published in two legal journals and became the basis for legislation by Congress to correct a serious problem...
Politics of science: why governance of research must stay independent
As Chilean scientists rally against changes in national science policy, Pablo Astulillo says it's time for global efforts to improve the governance of researchThe politicisation of science is proving increasingly harmful to the...
Ideal Christmas Gifts for Scientists
With the Christmas season upon us, people will be desperately trying to find suitable gifts for the people close to them. But what if you need to buy a gift for a...
'Gold standard' moms best at transmitting political ideologies, study finds
(Phys.org)—When it comes to transmitting political ideologies, warm moms who give their children lots of love and lots of rules serve as the best conduits, according to recent research co-authored...
Qantas axes in-flight Internet after poor take-up
Australian airline Qantas's trial of in-flight Internet access has been shelved due to a lack of interest from passengers who prefer to sleep or enjoy a rare break from the...
One in three want animal test ban
Poll suggests one in three people want government to ban all medical research experiments on animals.
I'm a proud Aspie, but I accept the term 'Asperger's syndrome' has had its day | Joshua Muggleton
At first, I didn't like the idea of Asperger's being subsumed within 'autism spectrum disorder'. But it makes senseLast week, I bought a T-shirt printed with "I had Asperger's syndrome before it was...
What is and isn't a scientific debate
The media need to understand the difference between a genuine scientific debate, and the fact that a very vocal minority can disagree with an overwhelming consensus of evidenceOne thing that seems to crop...
Listen up, doc: Empathy raises patients’ pain tolerance
A doctor-patient relationship built on trust and empathy doesn’t just put patients at ease – it actually changes the brain’s [...]
An algorithm for speech-based emotion classification
If you think having your phone identify the nearest bus stop is cool, wait until it identifies your mood. New [...]
Emigration of children to urban areas can protect parents against depression
Parents whose children move far away from home are less likely to become depressed than parents with children living nearby, according to a new study of rural districts in Thailand....
Why some teenagers more prone to binge drinking
New research helps explain why some teenagers are more prone to drinking alcohol than others. The study provides the most detailed understanding yet of the brain processes involved in teenage...
A class open to the world
Harvard Professor Michael Sandel has opened his wildly popular “Justice” class to the world. Tapping into the Internet and using several iPads as video cameras, Sandel, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass...
VIDEO: Comedians on films that abuse science
Six comedians share their thoughts on how science is presented in films and on television
Corporation member steps down
Patricia A. King, the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law, Medicine, Ethics, and Public Policy at Georgetown Law Center, plans to step down from the Harvard Corporation at the end of December, the University...
Bartholomew I of Constantinople’s Bold Green Stance
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople has preached that caring for the environment is a religious imperative, a stance he has taken far enough to be considered revolutionary by some...
Really?: The Claim: Some Herbal Remedies Can Be Useful During Pregnancy
Studies show that up to half of women use herbal remedies during pregnancy, but they can have side effects and may not live up to claims.
Questions Wanted for Live Astronaut Interview Tuesday
Tom Marshburn will talk to SPACE.com Tuesday.
Indian village bans women on cellphones
SUNDERBADI, India, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Public officials in a poor village in India have banned women from using cellphones.
Why older adults become fraud victims more often
Why are older people especially vulnerable to becoming victims of fraud? A new study indicates an important brain region may influence the ability to discern who is honest and who...
Scientists develop indium-free organic light-emitting diodes
Scientists have discovered new ways of using a well-known polymer in organic light emitting diodes, which could eliminate the need for an increasingly problematic and breakable metal-oxide used in screen...
Robert Greene on his 48 laws of power: 'I'm not evil – I'm a realist'
His first book was been called a 'psychopath's bible', and its fans include Will Smith and Jay-Z. So is the author actually some sort of malevolent mastermind?Some people think Robert Greene is...
Baby's health is tied to mother's value for family
The value that an expectant mother places on family -- regardless of the reality of her own family situation -- predicts the birthweight of her baby and whether the child...
Blankets to warm the heart
This is one of a series of Gazette articles highlighting some of the many initiatives and charities that Harvard affiliates can support through the Harvard Community Gifts campaign. Until Dec. 7, faculty and...