Wake up sleepy head: why we fall asleep when we don’t want to

Mar 04, 2016 00:34 am UTC| Health

During my first lecture to third-year psychology students, I noticed one of the students was asleep for the whole hour-long lecture. I immediately thought is the lecture boring? Am I speaking in a monotone voice? Is the...

Are you a true altruist or driven by self-interest? A brain scan could help you decide.

Mar 04, 2016 00:13 am UTC| Health

The reason why we help others at a cost to ourselves has long presented a puzzle for scientists. Why do some of us do it more than others? And are we doing it because we are truly moved by the suffering of others or simply...

How difficult would it be to repeal Obamacare for good?

Mar 03, 2016 16:08 pm UTC| Insights & Views Health Politics

If the leading Republican candidates agree on one thing, its doing away with Obamacare. The one thing we have to do is repeal and replace Obamacare, Donald Trump has written on his campaign website, while Marco Rubio...

Why new law banning all psychoactive substances will be just another 'war on drugs' disaster

Mar 03, 2016 15:35 pm UTC| Law Health

The recent passing of a new addition to the British statute books, which will come into effect on April 6th, is the latest in a long line of poorly drafted drug laws. The new law, to act in parallel with the Misuse of...

How do children learn to form social bonds?

Mar 03, 2016 00:07 am UTC| Life Health

Toddlers may be ever so adorable but they can also be frustratingly poor at listening and respecting other peoples feelings. So how are they able to grow into social butterflies a decade or two later, often capable of...

The five most addictive substances on Earth – and what they do to your brain

Mar 03, 2016 00:06 am UTC| Health

What are the the most addictive drugs? This question seems simple, but the answer depends on whom you ask. From the points of view different researchers, the potential for a drug to be addictive can be judged in terms of...

Is a 5.6% increase in private health insurance premiums justified?

Mar 02, 2016 09:48 am UTC| Health

Health Minister Sussan Ley today announced private health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 5.6% from April. This amounts to the average family paying about $300 more a year for an average policy. This...