Prey not hard-wired to fear predators
Are Asian elk hard-wired to fear the Siberian tigers who stalk them" When wolves disappear from the forest, are moose still afraid of them? view more (2007-06-21)
NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE REMAINS A MYSTERY (pp 2010, 2029)
Authors of a Dutch study in this week's issue of THE LANCET conclude that medical explanations cannot account for the phenomonen known as near-death experience (NDE). Only a relatively small proportion of patients who became clinically dead (resulting in oxygen deprivation to the brain) reported NDEs after successful cardiac resuscitation. Some... view more... (2001-12-12)
When self-love wins through
When a task is daunting and the pressure is on, the person who steps forward and rises to the challenge is not the reliable team player, but the bright spark, the one who plays around instead of practicing and for the big event. They may not be highly talented, but they believe in themselves, don’t fear failure and respond brilliantly to... view more... (2002-02-27)
From Terror to Joy: Faced with Death, Our Minds Turn to Happier Thoughts
Philosophers and scientists have long been interested in how the mind processes the inevitability of death, both cognitively and emotionally. One would expect, for example, that reminders of our mortality--say the sudden death of a loved one--would throw us into a state of disabling fear of the unknown. But that doesn't happen. If the prospect of... view more... (2007-10-23)
'Hub' of fear memory formation identified in brain cells
A protein required for the earliest steps in embryonic development also plays a key role in solidifying fear memories in the brains of adult animals, scientists have revealed. An apparent "hub" for changes in the connections between brain cells, beta-catenin could be a potential target for drugs to enhance or interfere with memory... view more... (2008-09-29)
Pecan trees benefit from thinning technique
Pecan trees, like many fruit trees, have a tendency to bear fruit in cycles, producing a large crop in one or two years, followed by one or two years with little or no crop. view more (2009-11-04)
Can mental training games help prevent Alzheimer's?
Loss of thinking power is a fear shared by many aging baby boomers. That fear has resulted in a budding industry for brain training products - exercises such as Brain Age, Mindfit and My Brain Trainer - which in 2007 generated $80 million in the United States alone. view more (2009-03-11)
What emotional memories are made of
Both extensive psychological research and personal experiences confirm that events that happen during heightened states of emotion such as fear, anger and joy are far more memorable than less dramatic occurrences. view more (2007-10-05)
Proposals to regulate cosmetic surgery will not protect the public
Government proposals for regulating cosmetic surgery in the United Kingdom would permit unqualified surgeons to remain in practice, according to an editorial in this week's BMJ. The proposals demand only that surgeons be medically qualified and have attended some postgraduate courses, despite unanimous advice from the profession on the importance... view more... (2002-05-22)
Women outperform men when identifying emotion
Women are better than men at distinguishing between emotions, especially fear and disgust, according to a new study published in the online version of the journal Neuropsychologia. view more (2009-10-22)
New research reveals the emotional costs of alcoholism
Alcoholics, especially those who relapse after frequent attempts to "dry out", are damaging areas of their brain that recognise emotions, a University of Sussex study suggests. Research on people's responses to photographs of different emotional facial expressions shows that heavy drinkers who had previously tried to kick the bottle are... view more... (2002-03-01)
Pre-clinical study suggests how steroid can reverse post-traumatic stress
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center, working with mice, have shown how the body's own natural stress hormone can help lastingly decrease the fearful response associated with reliving a traumatic memory. view more (2006-09-13)
Places to play, but 'stranger danger' fears keep inner-city kids home: Study
Fear of dangerous strangers in inner-city neighbourhoods is keeping kids and teens from using playgrounds and parks to be physically active. view more (2009-10-01)
FSU study links anxiety sensitivity to future psychological disorders
People who get scared when they experience a pounding heart, sweaty palms or dizziness - even if the cause is something as mundane as stress, exercise or caffeine - are more likely to develop a clinical case of anxiety or panic disorder. view more (2006-11-07)
Genetic tags reveal secrets of memories' staying power in mice
A better understanding of how memory works is emerging from a newfound ability to link a learning experience in a mouse to consequent changes in the inner workings of its neurons. view more (2008-02-22)
Trust-building hormone short-circuits fear in humans
A brain chemical recently found to boost trust appears to work by reducing activity and weakening connections in fear-processing circuitry, a brain imaging study at the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has discovered. view more (2005-12-09)
Stranger homicide by people with schizophrenia is rare -- and unpredictable
International study led by Sydney researchers shows homicides of strangers by people with schizophrenia are exceptionally rare and unpredictable events. view more (2009-10-12)
Action needed to tackle fake drugs trade
The World Health Organisation estimates that fake drugs account for 10% of global pharmaceutical commerce. Researchers in this week’s BMJ call for urgent international action to tackle this murderous trade. Recent examples of fake drugs include neomycin eye drops and meningococcal vaccine made of tap water; paracetamol syrup made of... view more... (2002-04-03)
Fear of being laughed at crosses cultural boundaries
Laughter is an emotional expression that is innate in human beings. This means laughing at others is also believed to be a universal phenomenon. However, the fear of being laughed at causes some people enormous problems in their social lives. view more (2009-10-15)
Brain detects happiness more quickly than sadness
People make value judgements about others based on their facial expressions. A new study, carried out be Spanish and Brazilian researchers, shows that - after looking at a face for only 100 milliseconds - we can detect expressions of happiness and surprise faster than those of sadness or fear. view more (2009-06-17)
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