Tag Archives: Health & Medicine

Top 10 Ben Franklin Inventions

A statesman, writer, and publisher, Benjamin Franklin also invented many practical products.

To the brain, getting burned, getting dumped feel the same

When a friend talks about a painful breakup, you might assume that the pain is only metaphorical. But brain scans show that the perception of pain is real.

Why We Don’t See Ourselves as Others Do

The difference between perception and reality hits home for many people every time they look into a mirror. Why are we likely to view ourselves more negatively than other people view us?

Decision-Making is Still a Work in Progress for Teenagers

Have parents or teachers ever told you that you’re not old enough to decide? There are differences between adolescent brains and adult brains, so it might be true. Read about the study at the McLean Hospital Brain Imaging Center in Boston, Massachusetts, that used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare the activity of teenage brains to that of adults.

Acrophobia

Why are people often naturally afraid of heights? Why are some more fearful than others? This article explains what acrophobia is and how sensible fear of heights is.

Gladwell on GPS: David Was No Underdog

In this video interview, author Malcolm Gladwell explains why he believes that in the Bible story of David and Goliath, David was not the underdog facing a fearful situation.

The Body Politic

We may be in the habit of thinking of bacteria as bad organisms that cause disease, but there’s another side to our relationship with them. In the human body, bacteria outnumber human cells, and as this article explains, we couldn’t survive without them.

Teen Brains, Under Construction

Part of the dramatic tension in Romeo & Juliet is that the audience can predict negative consequences for the title characters’ rash decisions. Why don’t they stop and think instead of jumping to conclusions? Partly because their teenaged brains are still in the process of developing, not ready for life-and-death choices.

Beauty Is in the Brain of the Beholder

Studies show that beauty exists as an abstract concept in the brain which implies it is a perception rather than a reality.

Robin Roberts: I’m Stronger Than I Thought I Was

TV anchor Robin Roberts fought her cancer and faced her fear of it. Besides her doctors, the people in her life were her main supports during her treatments.

Happiness Is Not Only an Individual Matter

Psychologist Paul Dolan argues that making societal improvements will improve individuals’ happiness.

Stephen Hawking: Biography

The subject of the award-winning film The Theory of Everything, physicist Stephen Hawking has changed our understanding of the universe while undergoing substantial changes in his own life.

How social media is helping Nepal rebuild after two big earthquakes

As the effects of the recent earthquake in Nepal became clear, many people have turned to social media to help them locate loved ones and help those affected.

Fear Factor Gene Discovered

Did you know that scientists discovered a gene that influences the brain’s response to fear and danger? Read about it here.

As Life Slips By: Why Eye Movement Doesn’t Blur the Picture

A molecular “glue” has been discovered that builds the brain connections that keep visual images clear and still, even as objects or your eyes move.

How pickpockets trick your mind

The key to a successful pickpocket isn’t sleight of hand, but knowing about how our brains work, according to neuroscientist Susana Martinez-Conde.

Hug a tree – the evidence shows it really will make you feel better

Researchers look into the effects that a growing disconnect from nature may have.

About Pet and Disaster Safety

Pets need your help in a disaster, from a heat wave to a flood. Read what you can do to help your dog, cat, horse, or other pet. Look for the Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist also.