Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Questions and answers: Japan, Chernobyl disasters
Japan raised the assessment of its nuclear crisis to the most severe rating Tuesday, on the same level as the Chernobyl disaster, the world's worst to date. Some answers to...
Science has vanquished religion, but not its evils | Nick Cohen
The astronomer royal accepting the Templeton prize is a casual endorsement of all that is wrong with religionAs Mrs Merton knew, there are questions that answer themselves. "What first attracted astronomer royal Martin...
What Happens During a Government Shutdown?
An analysis of the effects of the last government shutdown sheds light on what would happen this time around.
Flexible schedules, results-oriented workplaces reduce work-family conflict and turnover
New research finds that a workplace environment that allows employees to change when and where they work, based on their individual needs and job responsibilities, positively affects the work-family interface...
Sniffing out lymphoma by 'turning dogs into humans'
Researchers are narrowing the search for genes involved in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- by 'turning dogs into humans."
Having trouble sharing or understanding emotions? Affection could help
Affectionate communication, such as hugging, could help those who have high levels of alexithymia lead more fulfilling lives.
How materialistic advertising messages negatively shape the female body image
Psychological research has consistently shown that women feel unhappy with their body after looking at images of thin, idealised models, which are typically represented in the media. However, today's consumer...
Overseas doctors more likely to face serious GMC action
General Medical Council (GMC) decisions about doctors who qualified outside the UK are more likely to have far reaching consequences (high impact decisions), finds research published on bmj.com today...
Gene linked to severity of autism's social dysfunction identified
With the help of two sets of brothers with autism, scientists have identified a gene associated with autism that appears to be linked very specifically to the severity of social...
Happiness, comparatively speaking: How we think about life's rewards
You win some, you lose some. You get the perfect job - the one your heart is set on. Or you get snubbed. You win the girl (or guy) of...
Video: More texting, less talking
Chris Wragge talks to Jessica Bennett, senior writer for Newsweek about the rising prominence of texting and the decline of the telephone.
Video: Mona Lisa identity to be revealed?
Italian researchers are planning to dig up the grave of a Renaissance woman they believe may be the model for the Mona Lisa. Erica Hill reports.
Are infants creating historical footprints with their eyes?
Learning how babies communicate can teach us a lot about the development of human social interactions. Psychologists studying infants' interactions have now found that babies are not simply living in...
Pre-pregnancy genetic screening backed by government advisers
Tests will allow couples or individuals to assess their own risk of carrying genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosisGovernment advisers have endorsed the idea of a national pre-pregnancy screening programme for couples who...
Demystifying meditation - brain imaging illustrates how meditation reduces pain
Meditation produces powerful pain-relieving effects in the brain, according to new research published in the April 6 edition of the Journal of Neuroscience...
Older age memory loss tied to stress hormone receptor in brain
Scientists have shed new light on how older people may lose their memory with a development that could aid research into treatments for age-related memory disorders. Many believe that stress...
Tech addiction symptoms rife among students
Young adults around the world experience distress when they try to unplug from technology for even one day, a research project has found.
Video: Evolution of texting
These days it seems people prefer texting to voice calls. Taryn Winter Brill reports.
New survey: 72 percent of Americans think health-care system needs major overhaul
Seven of 10 adults think the US health-care system needs to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt, according to a new survey. The concerns reflect widespread experiences with access barriers,...
Scientist at Work: Do Fishers Really Eat Cats?
A zoologist considers the evidence for and against the popular notion that fishers prey on cats.
Paper iPads hot sellers as Chinese honour dead
Death is no barrier to Chinese ancestors receiving the latest gadgets, with paper iPads, laptops and LCD TVs burned at gravesides across Asia to mark the Ching Ming festival this...
Special education plan 'outdated': group
The report of P.E.I.'s auditor general shows that the province's special education strategy is outdated and needs to be replaced, says the P.E.I. Association for Community Living.
How marijuana affects the way the brain processes emotional information
Drugs like marijuana act on naturally occurring receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors. However, the mechanisms by which these drugs produce their sensory and mood altering effects within the...
High sodium, low stress?
All those salty snacks available at the local tavern might be doing more than increasing your thirst: They could also play a role in suppressing social anxiety. New research from...
Bogus English Ghost Video Goes Viral
Real or real fake? A family in England claims it has video evidence of a ghost. URL: English-ghost-video-hoax-fake
FYI: Can Scientists Measure Happiness?
Measuring Happiness Jack Forbes/iStock Yes, but not at all precisely. In 1881, the British economist Francis Edgeworth envisioned a "hedonimeter" that would measure economic utility by "continually registering the height of pleasure experienced...
People willing to pay painful price for friendship
People will suffer more pain for their close friends than for their acquaintances and sometimes more than they would for themselves, a scientist has found.
Reinstate science attachés to Arab countries
US science diplomacy needs a boost, and science attachés to Arab countries could help ensure sustainable programmes, says Farouk El-Baz.