Schadenfreude Sheds Light on Darker Side of Humanity
Researchers say dehumanization seems to be at the core of schadenfreude, the sense of pleasure at other peoples' misfortune. ... Read More...
evolution
Drug Cocktail that Increases Lifespan Discovered
Researchers have discovered a combination of drugs that not only appear to increase the lifespan of C. elegans, but also delay the rate of aging. The findings lay the groundwork for researching drug combinations that could produce the same effect in humans.... Read More...
Female Chimps Know Which Males Are More Likely to Kill Their Babies
A new study sheds light on infanticidal behavior in male chimps, and reveals females are highly sensitive to the relative risks posed to their offspring by different males.... Read More...
Bee Study Links Genes to Social Behaviors, Including Autism
Bees are helping researchers to uncover genes responsible for social behaviors, including social deficits associated with ASD. Researchers have identified 200 new gene variations linked to social behaviors, with 21 clustered in or nearby 6 genes implicated in autism.... Read More...
Just How Blind Are Bats?
Researchers report not all bats are blind, but some have selected superior acoustic abilities over vision through evolution.... Read More...
Have Being Selfish Affects Reproduction and Earnings
A new study reports selfish people are more likely to have less children and earn less money than their more generous peers.... Read More...
Muscular Men Prefer an Unequal Society
A new study reports physicality and political attitudes may be linked, for men at least. Researchers found more muscular men tend to prefer political attitudes that favor inequality, and the tendency to have positive attitudes toward inequality increased as upper body strength increased following months of physical training. The study, researchers report, challenges conventional belief that people's political views are shaped by logic and reason alone.... Read More...
Small Brained Female Guppies Are Not Drawn to Attractive Males
A new study reports female guppies with smaller brain mass can distinguish between attractive males, but do not find them more appealing or choose to mate with them over less attractive guppies. Researchers say the study sheds new light of the link between mate preference and cognitive ability.... Read More...
Discovery of First Genetic Variants Associated with Meaning of Life
Researchers have identified two genetic variants for meaning in life and six genetic variants for happiness. ... Read More...
Why Do Only Some People Get ‘Skin Orgasms’ From Listening to Music?
Researchers investigate why some people experience frisson, or aesthetic chills, when listening to certain pieces of music. They report those who experience frisson score high for the openness to experience personality trait.... Read More...
Octopuses Given Ecstasy Reveal Genetic Link to Evolution of Social Behaviors in Humans
Testing the behavioral reaction to MDMA in octopuses, researchers report they have discovered evidence of an evolutionary link between the sea creatures and humans.... Read More...
Are We Hardwired For Laziness? Brain Must Work Hard to Avoid Sloth
Researchers explore the exercise paradox, the feeling of wanting to become more physically active, but despite our best intentions, people actually become less active. The study reports our brains may simply be wired to want to conserve energy.... Read More...