Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Scotland slams U.S. probe into Megrahi
EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A U.S. lawmaker's report on the release of the Lockerbie bomber is a "false interpretation" of the events, the Scottish government declared.
'Weird life' researchers respond to critics
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: The researchers behind a controversial study about arsenic-based life respond to their critics and say a future issue of the journal Science will revisit the...
Where unconscious memories form
A small area deep in the brain called the perirhinal cortex is critical for forming unconscious conceptual memories, researchers at the UC Davis Centre for Mind and Brain have found...
A positive mood allows your brain to think more creatively
People who watch funny videos on the internet at work aren't necessarily wasting time. They may be taking advantage of the latest psychological science - putting themselves in a good...
California mom sues McDonald's over Happy Meals
A mother-of-two from California launched a class-action lawsuit Wednesday against McDonald's, claiming the toys given out with Happy Meals unfairly lure kids into eating unhealthy food.
Close proximity of authors leads to better science
Through analyzing the locations of authors of academic papers, researchers have determined that physical proximity of collaborators, especially between the first and last author, correlates with how widely the paper...
MDMA (ecstasy): Empathogen or love potion?
MDMA -- commonly known as ecstasy -- increases feelings of empathy and social connection. These 'empathogenic' effects suggest that MDMA might be useful to enhance the psychotherapy of people who...
Health Suits Raise Questions About Court Partisanship
Challenges in multiple federal districts have created a constitutional conflict even before the law has taken full effect.
On Health Law, Check Back in a Generation
If the history of Social Security is any guide, the debate may go on for years.
Preteen conduct problems lead to teenage serious violence and delinquency, study suggests
Conduct disorders in preteens are predictive of eventual teenage serious violent and delinquent behavior, according to a new study.
Eating at screen can lead to later 'snack attacks'
Eating while playing a computer game or simply working through lunch could increase your food intake later in the day.
Healthy But Lonely People Head to Hospital During Holidays
At the holidays, hospital wards empty out except for the very sick, the unwanted and the lonely, according to a doctor who has fictionalized her experience.
Census analysis: Nation’s diversity grows, but integration slows
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] -- Despite increased racial and ethnic diversity, American neighborhoods continue to be segregated, and some of the progress made toward integration since 1980...
U.S. Thinks of Strategy for the Unthinkable
The Obama administration wants to convey how to react to a nuclear attack but is worried about seeming alarmist.
Video: Teen body image -- reality versus perception
For many, the topic of teen body image conjures thoughts of overweight adolescents battling the scale, peer separation and depression, but a recent study conducted by Michelle Frisco and Jason...
Concussed high school athletes who receive neuropsychological testing sidelined longer
When computerized neuropsychological testing is used, high school athletes suffering from a sports-related concussion are less likely to be returned to play within one week of their injury, according to...
Membership in many groups leads to quick recovery from physical challenges
Los Angeles, CA (December 15, 2010) Being a part of many different social groups can improve mental health and help a person cope with stressful events. It also leads to...
Well: What Class Rank Says About Health
It is not just the number of degrees or years of education that make a difference in overall health, but another factor -- class rank.
'Aha' effect: New hypothesis seeks to explain the pleasures of insight
The sudden appearance of a solution through insight -- the famous 'aha' effect -- is a peculiar phenomenal experience that people have when they solve a problem. Researchers have now...
Hyman to step down as provost
Steven E. Hyman, who spurred an expansion of interdisciplinary research at Harvard and has overseen the revitalization of the University’s libraries and many of its museums and cultural institutions, announced today (Dec. 15)...
The impact of career growth on organizational commitment
Many companies have made wage and professional development cuts part of their recent budget-tightening strategies. But those companies may want to start re-investing in their most valued employees if they...
Intimacy problems revealed in sex survey
A study of so-called sex addiction and its impact on relationships has found that those with problematic sexual behaviour are more likely to feel threatened by or anxious about intimate...
Fabric softener sheets repel gnats
For years, gardeners have claimed that putting Bounce fabric softener sheets in their pockets is an effective way to repel pests like mosquitoes and gnats. Any Internet search will uncover...
First World War Christmas truces uncovered
Opposing troops putting aside their differences in 1914 to share Christmas carols and exchange gifts is one of the most enduring images of World War One.
Clinton target of oil pipeline critics
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- There is an apparent conflict of interest between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a chief lobbyist for TransCanada, advocacy groups claim.
Ability to recognize faces peaks in the 30s
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new online experiment has discovered that people between the ages of 30 and 34 are best able to remember faces. This finding contradicts the traditional belief that...
Vodka taste test tiff
The idea that the perception of vodka could be influenced by molecular structures within the beverage has been challenged and defended
Hit and myths: Festive tips analysed by science
Researchers have taken the scalpel of science to three urban myths in time for the party season, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reports on Wednesday: