Compassion
The Beautiful and the Good
What are our brains doing when we assume that someone who’s beautiful on the outside must be beautiful on the inside? Sharon Begley investigates.
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Sharon Begley, our longtime science columnist, died of cancer on January 16, 2021, at age 64. Our thoughts and good wishes go out to her family and her wide circle of colleagues, for whom she was an exemplar of the highest standards of the journalistic profession.
Sharon was a senior science writer with The Boston Globe Media Group, author of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain, and coauthor with Richard Davidson of The Emotional Life of Your Brain.
Anxiety
Why So Curious?
Curiosity killed the cat. Or did it? Research suggests it keeps us—and other animals—sharp.
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Anxiety
Feeling Moody? Here’s Why.
Moods are fleeting, volatile. They come and go at the drop of a hat. But beneath the surface, research suggests, they serve a deeper purpose.
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Focus
Pink Brains, Blue Brains
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus, right? Maybe not. Research suggests these differences are overstated.
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Science
Climate Change: A Faceless Villain
Why do so many of us persist in doing nothing about global warming? Blame it on psychology.
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Calm
The Stickiness of Misinformation
Even the most ridiculous rumors can cling in our minds—despite what the proof says. Sharon Begley tells us why.
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Calm
Brain Freeze!
Choking during pressure-packed performances is the worst. Sharon Begley tells us why we do it, and how to avoid it.
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Calm
Why Music Strikes a Chord
Music has the power to enable the recall of incredibly vivid memories from the corners of our mind.
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Health
3 Ways to Power Boost Your Aging Brain
Brain functions peak at age 30. Thankfully, what scientists are finding out about meditation and cognitive abilities is very promising.
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Calm
When Memory is Under Attack
A study suggests mindfulness improves working memory and reduces negative emotions in Marines before they deploy.
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