The Lives of Saints (and Sinners)
While the passing of Frank McCourt shone a light on memoirs, more literary biographies have been doing land-office business of late.
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Culture
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Want to Lose Friends? Make Tough Choices
A new study finds people forced to decide between two unpalatable choices are judged harshly, no matter which option they pick.
The Potential Militant Extremist Inside Each of Us
The fanatical thinking that leads to militant extremism is a seductive narrative that may have a surprisingly widespread low-level resonance in the general population, finds one study.
Harry Potter and the Hallowed Halls
Fans aren't the only ones under the spell of the seven-tome series. Academics at non-Hogwarts institutions find a great deal to study as well.
Today’s Threat Level: Yellow, With a Chance of Phlegm
Miller-McCune magazine highlights current research that merits a raised eyebrow or a painful grin.
The Marriage of Mozart and Mindfulness
A pinch of passion goes a long way: Researchers are showing that paint-by-numbers performances, from symphony halls to training grounds, are less well received than mindful renditions.
Green Planting: Eco-Friendly Burials Catching On
The numbers are still small and even proponents admit to a whiff of fad, but backers of green burials see their way of death as the wave of the future.
A New Clue to Finding Land Mines
Duke University Engineers use the classic detective game of CLUE™ to teach robots how to navigate minefields and find hidden explosives.
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.
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.