Sunday, February 10, 2013

2013-02-08 Spike activity « Mind Hacks

Quick links from the past week in mind and brain news:

The New York Times covers the recent upsurge of robots-taking-over-the-world anxiety. To the bunkers!

The dodgy practice of psychologists trying to patenttherapeutic techniques is covered by Neuroskeptic.

The Humanist discusses the explosion of the unhelpful concept of sex addition.

Forensic psychology nerds: In The News covers the latest in the debate on theaccuracy of violence risk assessments.

The Bangkok Post on the bizarre Thai government announcement that calculators, phones "and even karaoke machines" could damage memory, lead to Alzheimer's disease. Bryan Adams covers, screaming fits. 80s hair metal, unfortunately lycra incidents.

People without an amygdala can experience fearNeurophilosophy covers an intriguing new study.

Wired Danger Room on the cost of war to the US: currently, at least 253,330 brain injuries, 129,731 cases of PTSD – and counting.

Missouri Public Radio on how ex- Abu Ghraib chief psychologist Larry James wants to launch a national gun violence prevention center. Presumably, by waterboarding assault rifle owners.

Short-term exercise boosts body image without making any physical difference. The BPS Research Digest on the short-term psychological effects of exercise.

Scientific American has an important piece on the science of what life events can trigger depression.

After a nonsense article on 'girls and the science gap' two neuroscientists write a stirling reply on why pseudoscience and stereotyping won't solve the problem inNotes and Queries.