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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Studies show that beauty exists as an abstract concept in the brain which implies it is a perception rather than a reality.
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.
Psychologist Paul Dolan argues that making societal improvements will improve individuals’ happiness.
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.
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.
Did you know that scientists discovered a gene that influences the brain’s response to fear and danger? Read about it here.
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.
The key to a successful pickpocket isn’t sleight of hand, but knowing about how our brains work, according to neuroscientist Susana Martinez-Conde.
Researchers look into the effects that a growing disconnect from nature may have.
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.
Psychologist Ryan Howes explains that forgiveness is a singular act, while reconciliation is an interpersonal process.
Neuroscientist Sheila Nirenberg explains how technology she has built can transmit visual code directly to the eye and bypass damaged cells.
The power suddenly goes out, and you’re left in a dark room; how do you find your way? You might at first think you’re helpless, but your other senses quickly spring into action to compensate for your temporary loss of sight. Here’s a peek at the science behind this ability.
You’ve probably heard stories about people who were resuscitated from clinical death. They tell of meeting loved ones in a bright light and feeling completely at peace. What causes these impressions?
A sense of powerlessness may make you feel unhappy, but it also has documented physical effects. Here are the results of a study that shows one way a feeling of powerlessness affects your perception of the world in a measurable way.
