Quick links from the past week in mind and brain news:
Being altruistic makes you hot, finds new research covered by Medical News Today.
Neuronarrative is a high-quality new mind and brain blog. Highly recommended.
The San Franciso Chronicle has an excellent piece on the place of brain scans in the courtroom.
In light of the recent controversy over a murder conviction in India where ‘brain scan lie detection’ was admitted as evidence, Wired covers the aftermath and the protest of Indian scientists.
BBC News has a video on research looking at the link between dancing style, attractiveness and ‘fitness’ as a potential mate.
Hypnosis, memory and amnesia are discussed by one of the leading hypnosis research groups in the Scientific American Mind Matters blog. This see post for our own coverage of the this fascinating study.
BBC News covers new research that finds mentally demanding jobs may protect against Alzheimer’s. More evidence that staying active keeps the brain healthy.
Creationist ‘fossilised brain‘ ridiculousness is covered by Pharyngula. Looks more like a cauliflower to me.
But wait, brain found inside watermelon. The final nail in the coffin for evolutionary theory.
Alternet has an extended article on the Johns Hopkins research into the medical benefits of the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin (thanks Sandy!).
Neuroanthropology previews an upcoming conference on the ‘encultured brain‘.
The Top 10 Bipolar Blogs of 2008 are presented by PsychCentral.
Being a <a href="
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article4962480.ece”>daddy makes you kinder and smarter, reports the Times. Presumably, this helps make up for the sleep deprivation.
New Scientist reports that a computer circuit has been built from brain cells. NetBSD port to follow shortly.
Paul Bloom is interviewed by The Boston Globe about the psychology of believing in the soul. Presumably it refers to the eternal soul rather than Marvin Gaye.
The BPS Research Digest covers an interesting study on social norm violations in fans queuing for a U2 gig.
A funky guide to all things dopamine is provided by Neurotopia.
Mind Hacks 