Quick links from the past week in mind and brain news:
Brain Waves considers the role of ‘bonding hormone’ oxytocin and the potential for a love spray.
Town tries soft lighting to calm violent drinkers.
In contrast to one of last year’s controversial claims, a new study provides evidence that suicide risk does not increase when adults start using antidepressants.
The development of anorexia linked to earlier birth problems.
Mental health think tank demands major overhaul to UK psychiatric services.
New York Times on the psychology and neuroscience of cuteness.
Blog The Genius discusses theories from a recent book on the neuropsychology of memory.
A couple of good articles from Wired (via BoingBoing):
* Man with a cochlear implant hacks his own device to allow him to listen to music again.
* The new technology of brain scan lie detection raises new ethical concerns.
On a related note, New Scientist reports on a drive to develop ‘a lie detector that can be used without the subject knowing they are being assessed’. Best of luck.
Newsweek discusses the popularity and effectiveness of ‘e-therapy‘ (online version is accompanied by advert titled ‘find out happy you really are’ – wtf?)
Cognitive Daily discusses research on ‘How do kids decide robots are worth talking to?’
Mind Hacks 