The Myth of the Average Brain

Summary: Averaging brain scan data across groups can fundamentally mislead scientists about how the human brain actually works. By analyzing functional MRI data from over 4,000 children individually, researchers discovered…

Sound of Fear: Infrasound Mimics Supernatural Feelings

Summary: Humans have a “hidden” sensory relationship with the environment that bypasses conscious hearing. A new study reveals that infrasound, sound waves below 20 Hertz (Hz), can physically alter our…

Treasure hoard unearthed in Polish woodland

In woodland near Spała, within the administrative district of Gmina Inowłódz, Poland, a group of metal detectorists uncovered a buried treasure hoard. The discovery was made by members of the…

Why Feeling Good is Harder than Not Feeling Bad

Summary: For decades, the mental health field has operated on a half-truth: that curing depression means removing sadness. A new study argues that the most dangerous part of depression isn’t…

Large cache of stone cannonballs uncovered in Nieuwpoort

Work on a new administrative building in Nieuwpoort in northern Belgium has uncovered a mix of medieval remains and a large number of stone cannonballs, highlighting the town’s past as…

Everyday Skills Protect the Developing Brain from Prenatal Stress

Summary: Building strong adaptive skills in early childhood, such as communication and self-care, can shield a child’s brain from the long-term impact of prenatal stress. Researchers used Superstorm Sandy as…

Mathematical Rule for How Social Norms Click

Summary: How does a group of strangers settle on a shared habit or workplace norm? A new study suggests it isn’t through imitation or complex calculation. Instead, researchers found that…

Major archaeological finds discovered along route of Czech rail line

Archaeologists have uncovered more than a thousand archaeological features along a planned section of the Kojetín–Přerov high-speed railway in the Czech Republic, revealing an extensive record of human activity spanning…

Emotional Touch Leaves a Permanent Mark on the Mind

Summary: Why does the memory of a comforting hug last a lifetime while the sensation of a handshake vanishes instantly? A new paper introduces the first comprehensive neurobiological model of…