An Honest Look at Social Security
In the first of a three-part series on that 'third rail' of American politics, our Tom Jacobs examines the history of the program.
Economic Expansion: Teen Girls Gain Weight During Downturns
Lean times make for chubbier teenage girls. That's the conclusion of a newly published study that suggests the current recession may exacerbate the nation's obesity problem.
Young Metrosexuals Get Better Grades
Researchers from the University of Miami show that well-groomed high school students have higher grade point averages than their slovenly classmates.
Bad Jobs Can Make For Bad Moms
We've long known that high-pressure jobs can be hazardous to one's health. New research suggests that, for working mothers, employment-related stress may also be detrimental to their children's intellectual development.
Online Newspapers Increasingly Popular
The amount of time Internet users spend reading online newspapers jumped significantly between 2007 and 2008, according to the just-released annual survey conducted by the University of Southern California's Center for the Digital Future.
American Idling: The Ecological Cost of Keeping the Engine Running
The quick, simple act of turning your car off instead of idling whenever possible could play an enormous role in slowing the rate of climate change.
Morals Authority
Liberals and conservatives conceive of morality in decidedly different ways. Jonathan Haidt has mapped out their competing ethical universes in hopes they can learn to peacefully coexist.
Political Ideology Is Surprisingly Malleable
Liberals and conservatives routinely accuse one another of ideological rigidity. But in fact, when it comes to political…
How We Got in Over Our Heads
Update: A political economist argues our high levels of consumer debt derive more from political decisions than from economic conditions.
Red Alert: The Color of Danger Influences Behavior
A new study suggests the color red can serve as a danger signal to our unconscious minds, making people more likely to take actions that enhance their safety.