Psychology News and Research

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Psychology is the study of human mental functions, behavior and processes.

Macaques living close to people may provide early warnings of toxic threats to humans and wildlife

Testing hair from Asian monkeys living close to people may provide early warnings of toxic threats to humans and wildlife, according to a study published online this week in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

5 Jan 2010

Subjective experience of sexual arousal and corresponding physiological genital response linked to gender

New research led by Queen's University Psychology professor Meredith Chivers finds that men's reports of feeling sexually aroused tend to match their physiological responses, while women's mind and body responses are less aligned.

5 Jan 2010

Ben-Gurion University researcher defines integrated interpretation of ASD

A researcher from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has defined a new, integrated interpretation of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which makes it easier to understand both the commonalities and differences between ASD and other conditions.

5 Jan 2010

Psychotherapy may prevent obesity in teenage girls

Girls who undertook IPT were more likely to stabilize or reduce their BMI than those who received the health education classes. BMI is a measure of body weight corrected for height and, when adjusted for age and sex, is used to determine appropriate weight gain in growing children and teens.

5 Jan 2010

Research suggests doing unusual things may help seniors remember their daily dose of medications

Doing something unusual, like knocking on wood or patting yourself on the head, while taking a daily dose of medicine may be an effective strategy to help seniors remember whether they've already taken their daily medications, suggests new research from Washington University in St. Louis.

5 Jan 2010

Upcoming PBS series "This Emotional Life" aims to help people improve their lives

On the eve of a new year, as millions of Americans struggle to find more meaning in their lives, Vulcan Productions and NOVA/WGBH have brought together a number of national, public and private organizations around a nationwide, multi-faceted project sparked by the upcoming PBS series, This Emotional Life, premiering January 4-6, 2010 (9 p.m.).

31 Dec 2009

Food addiction remains largely ignored but can be easily overcome, says psychologist

As holiday parties give way to New Year's resolutions, rehabs across the country become inundated, making early January one of the industry's busiest times of the year.

31 Dec 2009

Tarantula venom protein promising for MD

University at Buffalo biophysicists have found a protein in tarantula venom that shows promise as a potential therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD). They have formed a start-up biotech company in Buffalo -- Rose Pharmaceuticals -- to advance the drug to clinical trials.

30 Dec 2009

CORE, a biopsychosocial treatment center for weight loss

Earlier this month, leaders in the treatment of weight related disorders and psychiatry joined forces under the Comprehensive Obesity Recovery Effort (CORE, LLC).

30 Dec 2009

First animal model for studying schizophrenia

Scientists have created what appears to be a schizophrenic mouse by reducing the inhibition of brain cells involved in complex reasoning and decisions about appropriate social behavior.

29 Dec 2009

APA commends the U.S. Senate for its historic passage of legislation

The American Psychological Association commends the U.S. Senate for its historic passage of legislation that holds the promise of more comprehensive coverage for Americans with health insurance and provides new options for those without.

28 Dec 2009

Perspective of the future influences health decisions

When New Year's Eve rolls around and you're deciding whether to have another glass of champagne, your decision may be predicted by your perspective of the future.

24 Dec 2009

Changes in sleep patterns predict onset of puberty, says new study

Are your 11- and 12-year-olds staying up later, then dozing off at school the next day? Parents and educators who notice poor sleeping patterns in their children should take note of new research from Tel Aviv University ― and prepare themselves for bigger changes to come.

24 Dec 2009

Learning disabilities: Understanding the problem and managing the challenges

"Trying to address learning disabilities with innovative teaching methods and creative school financing is not the answer," said Etta Brown, a licensed educational psychologist, veteran social worker and author of "Learning Disabilities, Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges" from Langdon Street Press (www.understandingld.com).

24 Dec 2009

New book on psychological reactions to storms

Director of LSU's Life Course and Aging Center, or LCAC, Katie Cherry, along with several LSU colleagues, has published a book titled, "Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters: Coping With Katrina, Rita and Other Storms," through Springer Publishing.

23 Dec 2009

Hormone ghrelin influences the consumption of alcohol, study shows

A Faculty of 1000 evaluation examines how a stomach-produced hormone that influences the desire to eat and consume alcohol could be switched off to control drinking problems.

23 Dec 2009

Disability-related problems continue to rise among older adults

Disability rates among non-institutionalized older Americans increased between 2000 and 2005, a trend that could seriously impact the quality of life of seniors in the coming decades if it continues, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley.

22 Dec 2009

ADHD Support Twitter page from Shire

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced the launch of its newest online Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) resource, the ADHD Support Twitter(TM) page (http://twitter.com/adhdsupport), derived from the Shire award-winning online educational resource, ADHDSupport.com.

22 Dec 2009

Depressed patients are unable to sustain positive emotions, says study

A new study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that depressed patients are unable to sustain activity in brain areas related to positive emotion.

22 Dec 2009

Book on physiology of eating and weight regulation

The development of effective preventive and therapeutic measures to control eating and body weight involves basic physiology as well as cognitive and social psychology.

21 Dec 2009