Neuroscience
Could a Bone Protein Help Shed Pounds?
A hormone from skeletal cells works in the brain to decrease appetite
Stories by Meredith Knight
Culture
New Books about Amnesia, Empathy, ADHD and the Placebo Effect
Scientific American Mind weighs in on recent titles from neuroscience and psychology
Culture
New Books about Motivation, Memory, Happiness and More Relaxed Parenting
Scientific American Mind weighs in on recent titles from neuroscience and psychology
Neuroscience
The Power of Placebo: How Our Brains Can Heal Our Minds and Bodies
Erik Vance explains the science behind the mind’s mending powers in his new book, Suggestible You
Neurology
Could a Diabetes Drug Help Beat Alzheimer's Disease?
Metformin may slow or reverse dementia and cognitive impairment, even in nondiabetics
Neuroscience
Weight-Loss Surgery Alters the Brain
Changes in neural activity may help explain why gastric bypass is so effective
Behavior
Can Newborns Imitate Adults?
Some research says yes, but a new study raises questions
Cognition
Beyond “Mama” and “Dada”: Why Babies Learn Certain Words
Babies learn different types of words first depending on their native language
Behavior
Review: The Confidence Game
In her new book journalist and psychologist Maria Konnikova explores the mind of the con man
Behavior
Review: The Art of Risk
Science writer Kayt Sukel’s new book draws on economics and neuroscience to redefine risk
Mind & Brain
Do Teething Toys Disrupt How Babies Learn Language?
Spare the pacifier! Babies need free tongue movement to process speech
Mind & Brain
Why Preteen Friendships Are Fleeting
Middle school friendships end quickly and often, but certain shared traits help them last
Biology
Sex Hormone Lessens Snacking
Oxytocin reduces pleasure eating without interfering with normal hunger
Mind & Brain
Psychopaths Might Have an Impaired Empathy Circuit
Social apathy may arise from deficient connections among emotional brain centers
The Sciences
Walking Tall: Why Did Humans Switch from Four- to Two-Legged Strides?
New study concludes that earliest humans walked upright to conserve calories
Environment
Lizard Moms "Dress Their Kids for Success"—and Survival
Female lizards use a hormone to change their offspring's markings depending on genes and social environment
Mind & Brain
Charity, Taxes… What's the Diff?
Scientists find similar brain areas are involved in paying taxes and donating to charity
Environment
Fact or Fiction?: If the Sky Is Green, Run for Cover—A Tornado Is Coming
Hang on Dorothy, you may be in for a rough ride when trying to predict cyclones by the color of the sky
The Sciences
Are Plants Really Villains in Climate Change?
New research disputes the widely publicized claim that they emit loads of methane
