Mental Health
People are more willing to help strangers they perceive as agreeable or conscientious
People may be more willing to help strangers who seem agreeable and conscientious, partly because these traits make the person more likeable, according to research published in Ev…
Combat-like stress in fathers alters brain chemistry in offspring
Fathers who experience severe trauma before conception can pass biological and behavioral changes to their offspring. A new animal study reveals that combat-like stress in males a…
Early depressive symptoms forecast changes in visual attention among at-risk youth
Does focusing on negative information lead to depression in kids? A new study suggests the reverse: developing depressive symptoms actually predicts changes in how youth view emot…
Neuroscience reveals how the unconscious mind drives human behavior
Today's cognitive neuroscientists are integrating decades of behavioral research to show that our conscious minds are heavily directed by underlying, unconscious neural activity d…
Expert witnesses challenge claim that Lindsay Clancy experienced psychosis
One more day of testimony expected as closing arguments set for Thursday and jury likely begins deliberations FridayOne more day of rebuttal testimony was expected this week in th…
A unique psychedelic shows promise for pain and stroke
An unusual psychedelic found in Salvia divinorum shows promise for treating pain, addiction, and stroke in animal models. However, anxiety-inducing side effects and a fleeting dur…
Workplace violence and insecurity might make psychiatric staff more accepting of coercion
Do violent workplaces change how mental health professionals view patient rights? New research shows that psychiatric staff who regularly experience physical assaults or feel inse…
Anatomy of a viral wellness trend: Why the ‘cortisol cocktail’ fundamentally misunderstands human stress
Social media influencers are touting a mixture of juice, coconut water, and salt as a cure for chronic stress. However, endocrinological evidence suggests this beverage offers lit…
Stunning study finds most papers claiming sex differences never actually compared the sexes
A recent PNAS study highlights a massive math problem in neuroscience: most studies claiming to find differences between male and female responses fail to use the correct statisti…
Poor mental health in new parents predicts worse sleep months later
New parents expect to lose sleep, but a new longitudinal study reveals that early postpartum depression and anxiety can predict worse perceived sleep quality months later, creatin…
Mindful observation of infant distress is linked to unique brain responses in new mothers
Recent research in Mindfulness suggests that when mothers mindfully observe their distressed infants without getting overwhelmed, they engage brain regions tied to emotional regul…
Cognitive pathways of aggression differ between men and women
A new study explores the distinct mental pathways that lead to impulsive versus planned aggression in adults. The findings reveal that men and women rely on different cognitive ha…
Neuroscientists map how early-life scent memories evolve and move through the brain
A familiar smell can instantly transport you back to childhood. Neuroscientists have now mapped how this happens, discovering that early scent memories physically relocate from th…
Individualism and income appear to shape relationship status across 59 countries
A new analysis of over 70,000 people across 59 countries reveals that personal demographics like age, education, and income predict relationship status differently depending on a …
‘Enough is enough’: 121 Indigenous Victorians have died by suicide in the past five years
Royal commission recommended First Nations healing centres in 2021 but the Indigenous health service says the state has ‘done nothing’ to fund itFollow our Australia news live blo…
Massachusetts woman suspected of killing police officer husband found dead
Karen Solomon had been missing for six days after her husband. Kurt Solomon, was found dead at their homeA mental health advocate suspected of killing her police officer husband w…
Lindsay Clancy trial: psychologist says he doubts claim she was hallucinating
Dr Kirk Heilbrun says he believes Clancy took children’s lives so they wouldn’t ‘suffer’ after she killed herselfWith just days to go before the murder trial for Lindsay Clancy co…
Shame and fear of false accusations deter male victims of intimate partner violence from seeking help
Why do male victims of domestic abuse often suffer in silence? New research details how shame, fear of being blamed, and distinct cultural barriers discourage Black, Latino, and W…
Mitochondrial protein in the brain regulates dietary fat intake and body weight
A recent study found that a mitochondrial protein in the brain regulates how mice consume dietary fat. Lacking this protein in appetite-controlling neurons led to overeating and s…
Study sheds light on what makes a location a good place to live
Shorter commutes, lower homeownership, and high residential retention are strong markers of a great community. A recent study developed a unique quality-of-life index for 3,100 U.…
New research suggests women strategically use modesty to avoid backlash from female peers
A new study reveals that women anticipate harsh social judgments for boasting and strategically use modesty to navigate relationships with other women. The findings shed light on …
Study finds AI chatbots can conduct basic therapy sessions but struggle to adapt to individual needs
Can a computer deliver effective psychotherapy? New research indicates that while AI chatbots display remarkable empathy, they struggle to consistently adapt specific cognitive be…
Large new study reveals the hidden trade-offs of friends with benefits
A comprehensive new analysis of friends with benefits relationships reveals that these casual arrangements offer greater sexual variety and lower rates of relationship violence, b…
Misjudging personal space drives the need for distance in socially anxious people
A new virtual-reality study upends assumptions about social anxiety and personal space. Researchers found that highly anxious people only keep a greater physical distance from oth…