The Science of Making Decisions

"The Twitterization of our culture has revolutionized our lives, but with an unintended consequence—our overloaded brains freeze when we have to make decisions."

New Report Exonerates US Climate Researchers

"A Commerce Department investigation has found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of U.S. climate researchers whose e-mails were leaked in the debate over global climate change."

Emotions Influence More Behavior

"The difference between moral reasoning and behavior is emotion, suggest Toronto researchers who found fear, guilt and love play a key role in moral action."

Survey: Economy Will Grow Moderately Through 2012

"Economists are forecasting faster growth than they were in November, according to a quarterly survey from the National Association for Business Economics."

Ancient Megadroughts Preview Warmer Climate: Study

"Ancient megadroughts that lasted thousands of years in what is now the American Southwest could offer a preview of a climate changed by modern greenhouse gas emissions, researchers reported on Wednesday."

Economists' Biggest Worry: Federal Budget Deficit

"Government deficits are the biggest long-term worry of top U.S. economists, according to a survey released Monday."

Four of Five Colleges Check Applicants' Facebook Profiles

"Applying to college? Purge your Facebook profile a bit first because four out of five college admissions offices are checking out prospective students on the social network."

U.S. 'Decades Behind' Other Countries in Parental Leave, Report Says

"Americans often take pride in ways their nation differs from others. But one distinction — lack of a nationwide policy of paid maternity leave — is cited in a new report as an embarrassment that could be redressed at low cost and without harm to employers."

More Than Half of U.S. Pets Obese, Study Says

". . .a new study shows that more than half of pets in the U.S. are obese—and their owners lack of moderation is to blame, according to the Association for Pet Obesity (APOP)."

Minority Teens: Fewer Depression Therapies

"Black, Hispanic and Asian adolescents are less likely than whites to receive treatment for major depression, U.S. researchers say."

Report: Climate Relief Possible Now

"Reducing emissions of soot and methane can be done today with existing technologies and could significantly slow climate change, a U.N. report says."

10 Percent Global Rise in Biotech Crops: Study

"Global plantings of genetically modified crops increased 10 percent in 2010 compared to the prior year, according to a study which has been released by an organization that promotes crop biotechnology."

World's Coral Reefs Could Be Gone By 2050: Study

"The world's coral reefs could be wiped out by 2050 unless urgent action is taken to stop threats posed to the "rainforests of the sea" by everything from overfishing to climate change, a report warned Wednesday."

Fewer Americans Describe Themselves as Democrats

"A new Gallup Poll finds fewer Americans self-identify as Democrats today than did in 2008. That's potentially bad news for President Obama's 2012 re-election bid, as many of the declines occurred in states he carried in 2008."

10 Profound Innovations Ahead

"Here, we examine some of the hottest areas where researchers hope to forge a better tomorrow."

Scientist Finds Gulf Bottom Still Oily

"Oil from the BP spill remains stuck on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, according to a top scientist's video and slides that she says demonstrate the oil isn't degrading as hoped and has decimated life on parts of the sea floor."

Cell Phone Radiation Alters Brain Activity, Study Shows

"Spending 50 minutes with a cell phone plastered to your ear is enough to change brain cell activity in the part of the brain closest to the antenna. But whether that causes any harm is not clear, scientists at the National Institutes of Health said on Tuesday, adding that the study will likely not settle recurring concerns of a link between cell phones and brain cancer."

Depression, Loss of Aid Spurs Dropping Out

"Depression or a loss of financial aid may be the main reasons why some 40 percent of U.S. college students fail to graduate in six years, researchers say."