Health, features and articles | Educational Science

Sep 30, 2011

Facebook Friends Predicted by Size of Brain Structures

To friend or not to friend? It might depend on your brain. Researchers have discovered that the number of Facebook friends you have coincides with the size of certain brain regions. Those brain regions are associated with creating memories of names and faces as well as how we interpret social...

Sep 30, 2011

Narcissists' Overconfidence May Hide Low Self-Esteem

Narcissists may seem to love themselves, but a new study finds that narcissistic self-aggrandizement may hide deep feelings of inferiority. According to the new research, people who are narcissistic are likely to tell psychologists that they feel good about themselves. But when the psychologists trick these narcissists into thinking they're...

Sep 30, 2011

No Show? Preacher's Doomsday Prediction Echoes Past Failures

California radio preacher Harold Camping was wrong when he predicted that the world would end Friday (Oct. 21). But his failed prediction puts him in good company. Doomsday prophets have been around for thousands of years, according to sociologists, and failed doomsday predictions rarely stop them for long. Camping himself...

Sep 30, 2011

Life's Extremes: Tightwads vs. Spendthrifts

In this weekly series, LiveScience examines the psychology and sociology of opposite human behavior and personality types. In the shop window gleams the coolest pair of shoes ever. Despite being able to afford them, some people will walk away, while others — though the purchase blows a hole in their...

Sep 30, 2011

Life's Extremes: Smart vs. Dumb

In this weekly series, LiveScience examines the psychology and sociology of opposite human behavior and personality types. Legendary feats of intelligence — Ken Jennings winning 74 consecutive Jeopardy! games — have their match in astonishing acts of stupidity, like a would-be robber who dons a mask without remembering to cut...

Aug 31, 2011

Viruses Could Target Hard-to-Kill Cancer Cells

For the first time, researchers have shown viruses can be delivered through a person's bloodstream to infect cancer cells without infecting other tissues, according to a new study. Once inside a tumor cell, the genetically engineered virus can replicate and spread to other cancer cells while it leaves normal cells...

Aug 31, 2011

Night Owls More Likely to Experience Nightmares

Night owls might think staying up late is a real hoot, but a new study hints that delayed sleep might have a sinister side. People who hit the sack late might have a greater risk of experiencing nightmares, according to scientists, although they add that follow-up research is needed to...

Aug 31, 2011

From Athlete to Couch Potato: What 2 Missing Genes May Mean

The difference between a couch potato and an Olympic athlete may be all in the genes. Researchers have discovered that disabling two genes in the muscles of mice severely limits their activity — specifically, their ability to run. The findings may help to explain why some people have trouble getting...

Aug 31, 2011

Global Smarts: Why Average IQ Is Higher in Some Places

Being smart is the most expensive thing we do. Not in terms of money, but in a currency that is vital to all living things: energy. One study found that newborn humans spend close to 90 percent of their calories on building and running their brains. (Even as adults, our...

Aug 31, 2011

For Women, One Drink a Day Leads to Healthy Aging

For middle-aged women, having one alcoholic drink a day — as opposed to not drinking at all or having two or more drinks — may improve health and pave the way to a long life, a new study shows. These data suggest that regular, moderate consumption of alcohol at midlife...

Aug 31, 2011

Why Are More Boys Born Than Girls?

Worldwide, there are 107 boy babies born for every 100 girl babies. This skewed ratio is partly due to sex-selective abortion and gendercide, the killing of female infants, in countries such as China and India where males are more desired. But even discounting those factors, the completely natural male-to-female sex...

Aug 31, 2011

Why Laughter May Be the Best Pain Medicine

Laughing with friends releases feel-good brain chemicals, which also relieve pain, new research indicates. Until now, scientists haven't proven that like exercise and other activities, laughing causes a release of so-called endorphins. Very little research has been done into why we laugh and what role it plays in society, study...

Aug 31, 2011

Eyewitness Testimony Can Be Tragically Mistaken

Last night's execution of convicted murderer Troy Davis reportedly sent those convinced of Davis' innocence into hysterics. One of their concerns — that eyewitness testimony in the case had been recanted — also concerns cognitive scientists. This is not the first time a person is pretty much convicted based on...

Aug 31, 2011

Life's Extremes: Outgoing vs. Shy

In this weekly series, LiveScience examines the psychology and sociology of opposite human behaviors and personality types. We all know them: The exuberant, outgoing glad-handers who relish a social gathering, and the reserved, shy wallflowers who might not attend the event at all. On a given day, of course, any...

Aug 31, 2011

Top 10 Cancer-Fighting Foods

Foods Associated with a Lower Cancer Risk (Image credit: Tom Tomczyk | shutterstock)The countless books and news articles about cancer-fighting foods might lead you to think you can ward off this dreaded disease simply by eating better. Alas, it's not that simple. Anytime you see a headline stating Cure...