Quick links from the past week in mind and brain news:
The New York Times discusses the recent case in India where a controversial ‘brain scan lie detection’ test was used to convict someone for murder.
Screaming energy! A fan site that reviews energy drinks with, rather predictably, excessive levels of enthusiasm.
“Thinking about Not-Thinking”: Neural Correlates of Conceptual Processing during Zen Meditation. Fantastic study published in open-access science journal PLoS One.
Sharp Brains has an interview with the wife of Bob Woodruff, a reporter who has made and written about his recovery from brain injury.
Do recent neurological studies prove once and for all that homosexuality is biological? Salon has an interview with neurologist and gay activist Jerome Goldstein.
Not Exactly Rocket Science covers new research suggesting political beliefs can be reflected in more fundamental cognitive processes.
The Frontal Cortex continues the theme with a study that provides a lovely example of motivated reasoning and bias in judging political contradictions.
A reporter for Popular Mechanics throws himself out of a plane as part of an experiment on the psychology of fear.
The New York Times has a surprisingly uncritical article on ‘child bipolar disorder’. Furious Seasons has a good counterpoint.
Even music played before or after a film character is shown affects our perception of their emotion. Fascinating piece of research covered by Cognitive Daily.
Time magazine looks at the US Military’s plans for advanced brain-computer interface controlled weapons systems.
ABC Radio National’s Philosopher’s Zone has a great discussion on the concept of love while the The LA Times looks at the psychology of commitment and infidelity.
Neuroanthropology has a video discussion from behavioural economist and ‘Nudge’ author Richard Thaler.
Neuropsychiatrist and ex-English literature professor Nancy Andreasan is interviewed by The New York Times.
Mind Hacks 