Tag: Neuroscience
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We are built to believe, say scientists
Do humans need spirituality? An intriguing study has found that 71% of atheists believe in the supernatural. Why is belief so pervasive, even as we abandon traditional religion?
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New robot ‘on the path to self-awareness’
Scientists at Colombia University have built a robot that learns about itself in the same way as a baby. It could be a major step towards machines that are fully self-aware.
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Health apps threaten to overwhelm NHS
A report has claimed that unreliable fitness apps are sending healthy people to the doctors. Thousands more health apps promise to improve our lives, but some say they do more harm than good.
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The incredible story of triplets split at birth
Does nature or nurture determine who we are? Identical triplets were separated at birth and raised by very different families. Years later, the three strangers met for the first time.
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We believe in miracles say 72% of young people
Are miracles possible? According to a new survey, three in five British people think miracles can happen. If so, it could explain the remarkable survival story of baby Lily Groesbeck.
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I, Hunter: how a name can change your life
How much do they matter? The most popular baby names of 2017 have been revealed. Studies show that what you are named can influence everything from your exam results to your face.
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Stop testing kids at 16, say neuroscientists
Should GCSEs be scrapped? Despite efforts to make exams harder, the nation’s 16-year-olds rejoiced yesterday as pass rates rose. But the stress of exam season took its toll on many.
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New fight to legalise medical marijuana
Following a row over cannabis oil, should the law change? The drug is currently illegal in any form. But MPs are calling for change after medication was taken away from an epileptic child.
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Laurel, Yanny and 2,000 years of philosophy
Is there such a thing as reality? The internet erupted in an ear-splitting debate this week — all thanks to a mysterious recording. Science has since cracked the case, but deeper riddles remain.
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Fortnite craze is ‘damaging’, says minister
Can video games be a force for good? In response to parental concerns about the Fortnite craze, culture secretary Matt Hancock has warned against the dangers of “too much screen time”.
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‘I must check everything, I must be updated’
How serious is social media addiction? With reports of teens dangerously hooked on sites like Instagram and Snapchat, researchers are racing to discover how addictive social media really is.
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Students in ‘dangerous world’ of smart drugs
What should we do about smart drugs? University students are risking their health by using potent prescription pills to boost their grades. Now the worrying trend is seeping into schools.
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Positive thinking accused of causing misery
Are we too optimistic? Most people think their lives will be better in five years time, but new data suggests otherwise. Some think our obsession with “positive thinking” is doing us harm.
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Rugby braces itself for war of Six Nations
Do violent sports harm society? This weekend Europe’s rugby elite will do battle in the Six Nations. Some find brutal games like rugby thrilling, but others say society suffers as a result.
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Minister of loneliness for ‘broken society’
Can the state stop loneliness? Yesterday Britain appointed a government minister to tackle the “epidemic” blighting millions of lives — an issue dubbed the “giant evil” of our times.