Bruce Bower

Bruce Bower

Behavioral Sciences Writer

Bruce Bower has written about the behavioral sciences since 1984. He often writes about psychology, anthropology, archaeology and mental health issues. Bruce has a master's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Following an internship at Science News in 1981, he worked as a reporter at Psychiatric News, a publication of the American Psychiatric Association, until joining Science News as a staff writer. In 1996, the American Psychological Association appointed Bruce a Science Writer Fellow, with a grant to visit psychological scientists of his own choosing. Early stints as an aide in a day school for children and teenagers with severe psychological problems and as a counselor in a drug diversion center provided Bruce with a surprisingly good background for a career in science journalism.

All Stories by Bruce Bower

  1. Memory echoes in brain’s sensory terrain

    The process of remembering an event reactivates brain regions that were involved in initially seeing or hearing the event.

  2. DNA Tie for Two Disorders: Genetic defects link psychiatric ailments

    Alterations of genes that produce a protective, fatty coating for brain cells may influence the development of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

  3. Babies show eye for object lessons

    Between 4 months and 6 months of age, babies learn that objects continue to exist even when they disappear behind barriers.

  4. Flag raised for kids’ mental health

    A study of North Carolina children and teenagers finds that at least 1 in 3 developed one or more psychiatric disorders by age 16.

  5. Buyer Beware

    A growing number of psychological studies conclude that excessively materialistic values undermine happiness and well-being, although the emotional effects of pursuing money and fancy possessions remain controversial.

  6. Anthropology

    Continental Survivors: Baja skulls shake up American ancestry

    Members of a foraging group that lived on Mexico's Baja peninsula around 600 years ago were direct descendants of America's first settlers, who arrived on the continent at least 12,000 years ago.

  7. Dyslexia’s DNA Clue: Gene takes stage in learning disorder

    For the first time, scientists have identified a gene that appears to influence the development of at least some cases of dyslexia.

  8. The brain spreads its sights in the deaf

    Altered brain activity in deaf people may strengthen their peripheral vision.

  9. Meditation changes

    People who meditate display particularly strong immune responses and brain activity that has been linked to emotional improvements, according to preliminary data.

  10. Tech

    Mind-Expanding Machines

    Researchers have designed computer systems aimed at amplifying human thought and perception, such as a new type of cockpit display for aircraft pilots that exploits the power of peripheral vision.

  11. Uneasy Breathing: Lung ills linked to suicidal thoughts

    Patients who suffer from asthma and other lung disorders report thoughts of suicide and self-harm far more often than do people treated for other physical illnesses.

  12. Near-death events take arresting turn

    A survey of people treated for serious heart problems indicates that 1 in 10 of those who survived cardiac arrest had an accompanying near-death experience.