Is your brain. . . a hoarder? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying, actually, not. Consider: so much happens throughout a day, but we don’t remember every detail the next morning. That’s because from day to day, a night of sleep provides a housekeeping
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Is “Don’t worry, be happy!” an effective strategy for life? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying: That may be a question for positive psychology. While traditional psychology focuses on dysfunction, positive psychology studies how people thrive. But critics say the field depends on a
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Does your IT guy have a criminal mind? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Forensic T-V shows can be fun and suspenseful to watch. Clues at crime scenes! Thrilling chases! DNA matches! But could a CRIMINAL watching these shows actually LEARN a thing or two?
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Dirty laundry stressing you out? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Ahhh… the smell of freshly washed clothes. Some even find it relaxing. But what about DIRTY laundry? Enter Marlise Hofer from the University of British Columbia. Her team studied the laundry likes of almost
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Revenge is sweet. Science says so! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. We love a happy ending! The hero riding off into the sunset, while the villain reaps what he sowed. We pay to see this movie again and again. Is enjoying it part of
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What makes Internet trolls tick? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying: You’ve experienced trolls: people who will write anything online to make someone else look silly. These tricksters spew a lot of bile, but what are they like in real life? Maybe not that
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Too much to do on your to-do list? Sleep on it! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It can be hard to fall asleep with unfinished tasks bouncing around our head. Many of us prepare for the next day with a to-do list. Others just
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Do our pets experience the placebo effect? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The placebo effect is when people’s belief that a treatment is working makes them feel better. But we can also imagine that a treatment is making our pets better. So how can
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Can your bridesmaids predict your lifespan? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Scientists say personality somewhat predicts mortality. For example, inactive, fatty-food-loving people are susceptible to early heart attacks. Psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis were interested in this mortality connection. Problem is, most
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Are you buying too many toys for your kids?? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Children leave toys everywhere in the house. What a mess! Sure, there’s no doubt that playing is critical for child development. But does the NUMBER OF TOYS affect how children
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