Behavior
How Come Some People Believe in the Paranormal?
Those who favor Bigfoot, UFOs and ghosts share a thinking style
Mental Health3708 articles archived since 1845
Mind & Brain
A Tribute to Oliver Sacks from Colleague and Friend Christof Koch
The famed neurologist–author found uniqueness in every patient and savored the miracle of existence, whether it be found in squirrel monkeys or people
Culture
Public Health Hero Jimmy Carter; SA Turns 170
Jimmy Carter talks about his public health efforts to eradicate guinea worm and improve global mental health and women's health. Plus, magazine collector Steven Lomazow brings part of his collection to the Scientific American 170th birthday party ...
Mind & Brain
Oliver Sacks, Who Depicted Brain-Disorder Sufferers' Humanity, Dies
The prolific author–neurologist gave the world empathetic insights into disorders of the brain while also inspiring films, plays, an opera and likely many careers in medicine and brain science...
Technology
"Molecular Tweeting" Could Hold the Key to Busting Superbugs
A broader understanding of bacterial social networks might help scientists combat antibiotic resistance
How Does a Gymnast--Or Even a Fitness Walker--Keep From Falling?
The brain constantly strives to reconcile its own internal picture of the world with the incoming sensory flood from eyes, ears and other sensory inputs— a process that lets us run, walk and move about the world...
Health
U.S. Vaccination Rates High, but Pockets of Unvaccinated Pose Risk
The vast majority of U.S. kindergarten-age children are vaccinated against preventable diseases but sizable pockets of unprotected children still exist, posing a public health threat
Fitness
FDA Approves New Cholesterol-Lowering Drug
The new drug, Repatha (evolocumab), is approved for patients with hereditary forms of high cholesterol and those with cardiovascular disease
Mind & Brain
Should Governments Nudge Us to Make Good Choices?
Never mind the nanny state, when policy makers use behavioral science to influence our decisions, everybody wins
Mind & Brain
Size Matters When It Comes to Cells' Vulnerability to Parkinson's
Neurons involved in Parkinson’s disease are especially susceptible to burnout because of their complex branching
Mind & Brain
5 Therapy Myths and Fears Busted
While millions of people are comfortable seeking help from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other counselor, others—maybe you included—would rather pass a kidney stone than make an appointment with a therapist...
Health
The Growing Global Battle against Blood-Sucking Ticks
Scientists have no shortage of ideas about how to stop tick-borne illnesses. What is holding them back?
Health
Fake Weed Leads to a Real Drug Crisis
Synthetic marijuana is cheap, widespread, hard to track and highly toxic
Health
Lyme Disease May Linger for 1 in 5 Because of "Persisters"
A new theory about long-lasting Lyme disease symptoms suggests treatment options
Health
Vaccine against Middle East Mystery Disease Shows Promise
MERS inoculation triggers response in monkeys and camels, raising hopes for future human use
Health
Female Libido Drug Nets FDA Approval, with Warning
The controversial drug will be headed to the market despite risks of fainting and low blood pressure
The Sciences
Don't Let Chemophobia-Phobia Poison Our Communications
Focusing on irrational fears will not help chemistry’s public image
Health
Scientists Use Bioengineered Yeast Instead of Poppies to Make Opioids
The speedy method makes potent painkilling opioids, but it still must be fine-tuned to make it commercially viable
Mind & Brain
Nicotine-Chomping Bacteria Could Help Smokers Quit
Researchers isolated a bacterial enzyme that could break down nicotine before smokers get the buzz that keeps them coming back for more. Christopher Intagliata reports
Chemistry
Simple Test Makes Blood-Clot-Busting Drug Safer
Molecule’s light signals a contaminant in heparin, medicine used by millions of patients
