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. Anthropology

    New footprint finds suggest range of body sizes for Lucy’s species

    Tracks discovered in Tanzania appear to have belonged to the tallest known Australopithecus afarensis individual, but stature estimates can be tricky.

  2. Genetics

    Year in review: How humans populated the globe

    DNA studies put new twists on timing of ancient human migrations – but genetics alone are not enough to tell the full story.

  3. Anthropology

    Buff upper arms let Lucy climb trees

    Australopithecus afarensis’ heavily built arms supported tree climbing, scans of Lucy’s fossils suggest.

  4. Archaeology

    Ancient cemetery provides peek into Philistines’ lives, health

    Burial site offers new look at Israelites’ mysterious enemies.

  5. Archaeology

    Glassmaking may have begun in Egypt, not Mesopotamia

    Ancient Mesopotamians lagged behind Egyptians as glassmakers.

  6. Archaeology

    For some early monks, impaired hearing amplified sounds of silence

    Middle-ear ailments probably had little impact on early Christian monks’ lives.

  7. Humans

    Oldest alphabet identified as Hebrew

    Contested study indicates ancient Israelites developed first alphabet from Egyptian hieroglyphics.

  8. Archaeology

    Stone adze points to ancient burial rituals in Ireland

    A polished stone tool discovered in Ireland’s earliest known gravesite helps scientists revive an ancient burial ceremony.

  9. Archaeology

    People settled Australia’s rugged interior surprisingly early

    Ancient colonists Down Under crossed the continent not long after arriving around 50,000 years ago.

  10. Psychology

    Learning curve not so smooth

    Preschoolers tend to reach a milestone of social thinking after months of fits and starts.

  11. Archaeology

    Wild monkeys throw curve at stone-tool making’s origins

    Monkeys that make sharp-edged stones raise questions about evolution of stone tool production.

  12. Psychology

    Erasing stigma needed in mental health care

    Social forces drive those in need away from mental health care.