Evolution
New Evidence Fuels Debate over the Origin of Modern Languages
Nomadic horse riders likely opened a “steppe bridge” between Europe and Asia, but recent genetic data raise more questions
Stories by Roni Jacobson
Behavior
The Pros and Cons of Being Self-Aware
We value the quality in others—but we don't always like how it reflects on us
Medicine
Treating Addiction with Psychedelics
Researchers see some promise in ibogaine, a well-known hallucinogen, and related compounds
Neuroscience
Your Pun-Divided Attention: How the Brain Processes Wordplay
To understand puns, the left and right brain hemispheres have to work together
Neuroscience
We All Speed-Read
The brain doesn’t sound out words it already knows, a new study shows
Culture
New Books Explore Puzzles of Taste, Gender and Addiction
Scientific American Mind weighs in on recent titles from neuroscience and psychology
Behavior
Curiosity Is Not Intrinsically Good
The human drive to resolve uncertainty is so strong that people will look for answers even when it’s obvious those answers will be painful
Cognition
Can You Trust a Eureka Moment?
New research shows sudden insights are usually correct
Neuroscience
Sensation of Taste Is Built into Brain
Researchers from Columbia University prompt mice to taste sweet and bitter by activating brain cells
Health
Many Antidepressant Studies Found Tainted by Pharma Company Influence
A review of studies that assess clinical antidepressants shows hidden conflicts of interest and financial ties to corporate drugmakers
Mind & Brain
Massive International Project Raises Questions about the Validity of Psychology Research
When 100 past studies were replicated, only 39 percent yielded the same results
Fitness
Widespread Understaffing of Nurses Increases Risk to Patients
Emerging data support minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, but hospital administrations are reluctant to adopt them
Policy
How to Extract a Confession...Ethically
Scientists are using social psychology to enhance interrogation methods without force
Health
Stem Cells Enter Clinical Trials for Several Disorders
Human testing is under way or poised to start for brain cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal injury, type 1 diabetes and "Lou Gehrig's" disease
Mind & Brain
Memories May Not Live in Neurons’ Synapses
The finding could mean recollections are more enduring than expected and disrupt plans for PTSD treatments
Medicine
Pills that Help Addicts Quit Have a Catch
Prescription medication can help some people beat their addictions—but not without complications
Health
Epidemic of Violence against Health Care Workers Plagues Hospitals
Hospital administrations and the judicial system do little to prevent assaults against nurses and other caregivers by patients
Mental Health
10 Mobile Apps That Deliver Advice and Therapy
Mobile apps help you manage your mental health
Mental Health
Mental Health Crises Online: Is Social Media a Friend or Foe?
People are increasingly broadcasting symptoms of mental illness on social media. We should listen
Health
Ebola Relief Is Stymied by Unnecessary Restrictions on Health Workers
Misguided quarantines are making American health care workers wary of volunteering to treat Ebola patients, hindering efforts to provide critically needed care in west Africa
