BREAKING NEWS: Psychology & Self-Help

Loneliness Interventions Help But Are Not a Cure-All

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:33:27 -0400

About half of U.S. adults report feeling lonely, and a lack of social connection can be as harmful to health as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, studies suggest. In response, communities across the country are experimenting with grassroots approaches to foster connection, while governments worldwide are beginning to treat loneliness as a public health issue. New research finds that interventions can reduce loneliness but do not offer a...

300 People Report British Police Misogyny and Racism

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 08:49:39 -0400

Source: BBC News - UK News

More than 300 people have reported racism, corruption, and bullying by British police after watching a BBC TV undercover investigation. The secret filming over seven months revealed evidence of racism, misogyny, and officers revelling in the use of force at one of London's busiest police stations. Many women said they endured misogyny when reporting domestic and sexual violence, and some said reporting their rape to police "was like being raped...

Psilocybin and Mindfulness Can Curb Depression and Burnout, Study Finds

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:41:47 -0400

Source: United Press International - Health News

A new study announced Wednesday shows that psilocybin—the active compound in "magic mushrooms"—and mindfulness training can together ease depression and burnout among healthcare workers. Frontline healthcare workers struggling with depression after the COVID-19 pandemic saw significant relief from a treatment combining psilocybin group therapy with mindfulness training, according to a new study published in PLOS Medicine.

OpenAI Launches Web Browser in Challenge to Google Chrome

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:41:29 -0400

Source: Canadian Broadcasting Company - Top Stories News

OpenAI said Tuesday it is introducing its own web browser, Atlas, putting the ChatGPT maker in direct competition with Google as more internet users rely on artificial intelligence to answer their questions. Making itself a gateway to online searches could allow OpenAI, the world's most valuable startup, to pull in more internet traffic and revenue. OpenAI has said ChatGPT already has more than 800 million users, but many of them get the service...

Virginia Giuffre Raped by "Well-Known Prime Minister," Memoir Claims

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:41:16 -0400

Source: Google News - Health

Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking ring, claims in a posthumous memoir that she was brutally beaten and raped by an unidentified prime minister and that she feared she might die a sex slave. "In my years with them, they lent me out to scores of wealthy, powerful people. I was habitually used and humiliated—and in some instances, choked, beaten, and bloodied," Giuffre wrote of Epstein and...

U.N. Chief Defends Science and Meteorology As Trump Dismisses Both

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:40:43 -0400

Source: PBS Science

The United Nations chief delivered a strong defense of science and meteorology on Wednesday, praising the U.N. weather agency for helping save lives by tracking climate disasters around the world. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to the World Meteorological Organization even while U.S. President Donald Trump has led an anti-science push and called climate change "a con job." In contrast, Guterres calls it an "existential threat."

Anthropic Launches Claude Life Sciences for Research Using AI

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:25:40 -0400

Source: United Press International - Health News

Anthropic on Monday announced a new service called "Claude of Life Sciences" that uses artificial intelligence in efforts to advance scientific discovery. Digital tools will allow researchers to make new discoveries with everything from AI-powered literature reviews to developing hypotheses, analyzing data, and regulatory submission, Anthropic said. This is the San Francisco-based tech company's first formal entry into life sciences research.

New Research Explores How People Know What They Know

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:33:01 -0400

Source: Association for Psychological Science

In today's world, the pull of new information is constant, ubiquitous, and limitless. To be knowledgeable citizens, people must sort through the mess and decide which sources are trustworthy, what information to absorb, and what to reject. Meanwhile, research psychologists are asking what underlies all this information processing: How do people know what they know? And how do they understand what others know?

Running fixes what junk food breaks in the brain

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 23:31:31 -0400

New research reveals that exercise counteracts the mood-damaging effects of a Western-style diet through specific gut and hormonal mechanisms. Running restored metabolites tied to mental well-being and balanced key hormones like insulin and leptin. However, poor diet limited the brain’s ability to generate new neurons, showing diet still matters for full brain benefits.

Feeling stressed? Science finds a simple way to take back control

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:52:52 -0400

Feeling in control may be the key to conquering daily stress. Penn State researchers found that people were 62% more likely to resolve everyday hassles on days when they felt greater control. This link grew stronger over time, suggesting we get better at managing stress as we age. Simple actions like setting priorities and reframing challenges can help boost that sense of control and reduce overall stress.

Specific Genes Linked to How People Use Cannabis

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:21:26 -0400

Source: Science Daily - Top Health

A major study using genetic data from over 130,000 participants has identified genes associated with cannabis use behaviors. The study, published October 13 in Molecular Psychiatry, linked the CADM2 and GRM3 genes to cannabis use and connected these patterns to more than 100 traits across mental and physical health. Researchers say understanding these genetic influences could help prevent cannabis use disorder and guide future therapies.

Why Do These 80-Year-Olds Have the Memory of 50-Year-Olds?

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:21:21 -0400

Source: Science Daily - Top Health

SuperAgers defy normal aging by keeping sharp memories and healthy brains well into their 80s. Scientists have discovered that these individuals either resist the buildup of harmful brain proteins or remain unaffected by them. Their brains stay structurally young, and their strong social lives may help protect cognition, according to an article published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. The findings could inspire new ways to delay or...

Scientists Just Debunked the Calcium and Dementia Myth

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:22:51 -0400

Source: Science Daily - Top Health

A long-term Australian study found that calcium supplements do not raise dementia risk in older women, countering previous fears. The research, which appears in The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific, followed more than 1,400 participants for nearly 15 years and revealed no harmful cognitive effects. Scientists say these results should reassure those using calcium to prevent osteoporosis, although more research is needed across broader...

In Wake of Racist Messages, Young Republican Group Disbands

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:06:36 -0400

Source: BBC News - Americas

The New York Republican State Committee has voted to suspend its Young Republicans group after a group chat was leaked revealing racist and antisemitic messages. Politico released messages from Young Republican groups across the country in which members used racial slurs and joked about gas chambers. Several members of the New York State Young Republicans club—which has thousands of members ages 18 to 40—were participants in the chat.

What Is Sober October, and Is It Worth Giving It a Try?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:01:25 -0400

Source: APA PsycPORT™: Psychology Newswire

First there was Dry January, and now there's Sober October—two 31-day challenges to stay alcohol-free. Last year, a survey found that 1 in 4 Americans planned to participate in Sober October, and with good reason. Taking a month-long break from alcohol is associated with a variety of physical and mental health benefits. For example, moderate to heavy drinkers experience improved insulin resistance, weight, blood pressure, and cancer-related...

LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Distress Is Increasing, Study Finds

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:01:12 -0400

Source: CBS News - U.S. News

Mental health distress among LGBTQ+ youth in the United States has been increasing amid a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, but strong support networks and access to health care are easing symptoms for some, a new study finds. The study was published Thursday by The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Researchers followed 1,689 LGBTQ+ young people between 2023 and...

Israel Keeps Gaza Border Crossing Closed While Reducing Aid Deliveries

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:01:02 -0400

Source: Google News - Health

Israel on Wednesday kept closed a crucial border crossing from Egypt to Gaza and cut in half the amount of aid allowed to enter in retaliation for what it says are delays in the handover of bodies of dead hostages by the militant group Hamas. The exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees and the handover of bodies is central to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza agreed to last week.

What Are the Risks When Using AI for Mental Health?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:00:41 -0400

Source: APA PsycPORT™: Psychology Newswire

AI chatbots marketed as "mental health companions" are drawing in people who can't afford therapy, are burned by bad experiences, or just want to see if a machine might be helpful. OpenAI says ChatGPT alone now has nearly 700 million weekly users. While it's not clear how many people are using the tool specifically for mental health, some say it has become their most accessible form of support, especially when human help isn't available or...

British Government Told to Prepare for 2C Warming by 2050

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:00:26 -0400

Source: BBC News - Science and Environment

The UK should be prepared to cope with weather extremes as a result of at least 2C of global warming by 2050, independent climate advisers have said. The country was "not yet adapted" to worsening weather extremes already occurring at current levels of warming, "let alone" what was expected to come, the Climate Change Committee wrote in a letter addressed to the government. The letter came as the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that...

Senators Working to Prevent Trump From Declaring War Without Approval

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 02:11:24 -0400

Source: Google News - Health

Amid a wave of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and plans for covert operations in Venezuela, Senator Tim Kaine is leading a bipartisan effort to stop President Trump from unilaterally declaring war. Since September, Mr. Trump has ordered at least five U.S. military strikes on boats that the White House claims were smuggling illegal drugs. So far, at least 27 people have been reported killed, but their identities have yet to be shared.

From poison to power: How lead exposure helped shape human intelligence

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:31:28 -0400

Long before humans built cities or wrote words, our ancestors may have faced a hidden threat that shaped who we became. Scientists studying ancient teeth found that early humans, great apes, and even Neanderthals were exposed to lead millions of years ago. This toxic metal can damage the brain, yet modern humans developed a tiny genetic change that protected our minds and allowed language and intelligence to flourish.

Newsom Vetoes Bill Helping Slavery Descendants Gain College Admission

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:49:10 -0400

Source: Google News - Health

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation Monday that would have allowed colleges to provide preferential admissions to applicants directly descended from people who were enslaved in the U.S. before 1900. The governor said that the bill wasn't needed because schools are already have the authority to determine whether to provide such preferences, and he urged them to explore "how, when, and if this type of preference can be adopted."

Leaked: Young Republicans Joking About Holocaust, Slavery, and Rape

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:49:00 -0400

Source: Google News - Health

Leaked chat messages show that leaders of "Young Republican" groups throughout the U.S. referred to Black people as monkeys and "the watermelon people." The leaders also mused about putting their political opponents in gas chambers, and talked about raping their enemies and driving them to suicide. And they lauded Republicans who they thought supported slavery. One even went so far as saying "I love Hitler," according to the news service...

Your brain’s power supply may hold the key to mental illness

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:21:08 -0400

Groundbreaking Harvard research is exposing hidden energy failures inside brain cells that may drive major psychiatric conditions. By studying reprogrammed neurons, scientists are revealing how cellular metabolism shapes mood, thought, and cognition. The work calls for abandoning rigid diagnostic categories in favor of biology-based systems that reflect true complexity. It marks a decisive shift toward preventive and precision mental healthcare.

How 1 in 4 older adults regain happiness after struggling

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:16:00 -0400

A University of Toronto study found that nearly one in four adults aged 60+ who reported poor well-being were able to regain optimal wellness within three years. The research highlights that physical activity, healthy weight, good sleep, and emotional and social support play crucial roles in recovery. Those with strong psychological wellness at the start were five times more likely to bounce back.

Strong friendships may literally slow aging at the cellular level

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:29:17 -0400

Scientists discovered that lifelong social support can slow biological aging. Using DNA-based “epigenetic clocks,” they found that people with richer, more sustained relationships showed younger biological profiles and lower inflammation. The effect wasn’t about single friendships but about consistent connections across decades.

A century-old piano mystery has just been solved

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:54:04 -0400

Scientists confirmed that pianists can alter timbre through touch, using advanced sensors to capture micro-movements that shape sound perception. The discovery bridges art and science, promising applications in music education, neuroscience, and beyond.

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro makes food taste sweeter and saltier, and that may quiet cravings

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:48:50 -0400

Some people taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro notice that food suddenly tastes sweeter or saltier, and this subtle shift in flavor perception appears tied to reduced appetite and stronger feelings of fullness. In a study of more than 400 patients, roughly one in five experienced heightened taste sensitivity, and many reported being less hungry and more easily satisfied.

Why so many young kids with ADHD are getting the wrong treatment

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 05:10:52 -0400

Preschoolers with ADHD are often given medication right after diagnosis, against medical guidelines that recommend starting with behavioral therapy. Limited access to therapy and physician pressures drive early prescribing, despite risks and reduced effectiveness in young children.

The surprising brain chemistry behind instant friendships

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 23:01:14 -0400

UC Berkeley scientists found oxytocin is key for quickly forming strong friendships, but less critical for mate bonds. In prairie voles, a lack of oxytocin receptors delayed bonding and reduced partner selectivity, changing how the brain releases oxytocin and affecting social behavior.

Trapped in guilt and shame? Science explains why you can’t let go

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:52:41 -0400

Flinders University researchers found that forgiving yourself isn’t just about letting go. People stuck in guilt and shame often feel trapped in the past, and true healing comes from addressing deeper moral injuries and restoring a sense of control.

Alzheimer’s risk may start at the brain’s border, not inside it

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 23:41:01 -0400

Your brain has its own elite defense team — and new research shows these "guardian" cells might be the real battleground for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke. Scientists discovered that most genetic risks linked to these diseases act not in neurons, but in the blood vessels and immune cells that form the blood-brain barrier.

This brain circuit may explain fluctuating sensations—and autism

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:56:53 -0400

Sometimes a gentle touch feels sharp and distinct, other times it fades into the background. This inconsistency isn’t just mood—it’s biology. Scientists found that the thalamus doesn’t just relay sensory signals—it fine-tunes how the brain responds to them, effectively changing what we feel. A hidden receptor in the cortex seems to prime neurons, making them more sensitive to touch.

Four hidden types of autism revealed — and each tells a different genetic story

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:45:07 -0400

Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These subtypes—each with unique traits, developmental paths, and genetic signatures—promise to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat autism.

Your brain sees faces in everything—and science just explained why

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:32:39 -0400

You may be seeing faces in clouds, toast, or cars—and it turns out your brain is wired to notice them. A fascinating new study shows how our attention is hijacked not just by real faces, but by face-like illusions, through entirely different mental mechanisms. These imaginary expressions actually spark a stronger response, and the research even hints at clever ways advertisers could use this effect to grab your attention.

The silent threat: How hearing loss and loneliness are fueling memory decline

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:20:12 -0400

A massive European study has uncovered a powerful connection between hearing loss, loneliness, and memory decline. Researchers at the University of Geneva found that older adults with hearing impairments who also feel lonely—regardless of actual social isolation—experience faster cognitive decline.

Researchers grow 400+ brain cell types—a leap for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:45:49 -0400

Scientists at ETH Zurich have broken new ground by generating over 400 types of nerve cells from stem cells in the lab, far surpassing previous efforts that produced only a few dozen. By systematically experimenting with combinations of morphogens and gene regulators, the researchers replicated the vast diversity of neurons found in the human brain. This breakthrough holds major promise for studying neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, creating more accurate models for drug testing, and eventually even enabling neuron replacement therapies.

The surprising link between hearing loss, loneliness, and lifespan

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 10:25:27 -0400

People who treat hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants regain rich conversations, escape isolation, and may even protect their brains and lifespans—proof that better hearing translates into fuller living.

Why anger cools after 50: Surprising findings from a new menopause study

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 07:42:18 -0400

Anger isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it plays a deeper role in women’s mental and physical health during midlife. A groundbreaking study tracking over 500 women aged 35 to 55 reveals that anger traits like outbursts and hostility tend to diminish with age and menopause progression. This shift could signal enhanced emotional regulation during and after the reproductive transition. Surprisingly, the only form of anger that remained steady was suppressed anger.

The pandemic pet boom was real. The happiness boost wasn’t

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:57:47 -0400

Locked-down Hungarians who gained or lost pets saw almost no lasting shift in mood or loneliness, and new dog owners actually felt less calm and satisfied over time—hinting that the storied “pet effect” may be more myth than mental-health remedy even in extreme isolation.

The gene that hijacks fear: How PTEN rewires the brain’s anxiety circuit

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 05:06:58 -0400

Deleting a gene called PTEN in certain brain cells disrupts the brain’s fear circuitry and triggers anxiety-like behavior in mice — key traits seen in autism. Researchers mapped how this genetic tweak throws off the brain's delicate balance of excitation and inhibition in the amygdala, offering deep insights into how one gene can drive specific ASD symptoms.

Attachment theory: A new lens for understanding human-AI relationships

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:53:25 -0400

Human-AI interactions are well understood in terms of trust and companionship. However, the role of attachment and experiences in such relationships is not entirely clear. In a new breakthrough, researchers from Waseda University have devised a novel self-report scale and highlighted the concepts of attachment anxiety and avoidance toward AI. Their work is expected to serve as a guideline to further explore human-AI relationships and incorporate ethical considerations in AI design.

Horses 'mane' inspiration for new generation of social robots

Wed, 28 May 2025 21:42:22 -0400

Interactive robots should not just be passive companions, but active partners -- like therapy horses who respond to human emotion -- say researchers.

Mother's warmth in childhood influences teen health by shaping perceptions of social safety

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:16:36 -0400

Parental warmth and affection in early childhood can have life-long physical and mental health benefits for children, and new research points to an important underlying process: children's sense of social safety.

Overimitation begins in infancy but is not yet linked to in-group preference

Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:44 -0400

A new study examines the emergence of overimitation in infants aged between 16 and 21 months to see if and how it is linked to social affiliation and other forms of imitation. The researchers found that young children engaged in low rates of overimitation and that it was not driven by in-group preference -- meaning they were not acting to please someone similar to themselves. This suggests that overimitation for social affiliation reasons may emerge later. But they did find that other types of imitation associated with memory and cognition were closely correlated.

Emotional expressions shape how help is received in the workplace

Wed, 21 May 2025 12:46:13 -0400

The way people express emotions while helping others can influence whether their assistance is welcomed, resented, or reciprocated, according to new research.

Evidence of mother-offspring attachment types in wild chimpanzees

Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:54 -0400

A team of researchers has identified distinct mother-offspring attachment types in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Drawing parallels with human psychology, the study provides compelling evidence that wild chimpanzee infants, like human children, develop critical secure and insecure-avoidant attachment patterns to their mothers. However, unlike humans and some captive chimpanzees, wild chimpanzees did not exhibit disorganized attachment characterized by high rates of aggression. This raises new questions about how this type of attachment may be shaped by survival and modern environmental pressures.

Addressing hearing loss may reduce isolation among the elderly

Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:00 -0400

Providing hearing aids and advice on their use may preserve social connections that often wane as we age, a new study shows. Its authors say that this approach could help ease the loneliness epidemic that older Americans face.

Nature visits can improve well-being disparities among urban dwellers

Thu, 08 May 2025 11:31:15 -0400

How relatedness-to-nature is linked to well-being is determined by district-level socioeconomic status. A new analysis is based on survey results from two major Japanese metropolitan areas.

Non-inherited genes affect children's development

Wed, 07 May 2025 20:08:09 -0400

Parents' genes -- even when not directly inherited by a child -- may play a role in their educational and mental health outcomes, finds a new report.