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

    Snooze patterns vary across cultures, opening eyes to evolution of sleep

    Sleep plays out differently across cultures, but a consistent cycle of z’s and activity appears crucial.

  2. Climate

    Monsoon deluges turned ancient Sahara green

    The ancient Sahara Desert sprouted trees and lakes for thousands of years thanks to intense rainfall.

  3. Health & Medicine

    Promise and perils of marijuana deserve more scientific scrutiny

    Report outlines medical potential and health dangers of cannabis and its components.

  4. Archaeology

    Hunter-gatherers were possibly first to call Tibetan Plateau home

    Hunter-gatherers may have been Asia’s first year-round, high-altitude settlers.

  5. Anthropology

    Monkeys have vocal tools, but not brains, to talk like humans

    Macaques have vocal tracts, but not brains, built for talking much as people do, scientists say.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Anthropology

    Buff upper arms let Lucy climb trees

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

  9. Archaeology

    Ancient cemetery provides peek into Philistines’ lives, health

    Burial site offers new look at Israelites’ mysterious enemies.

  10. Archaeology

    Glassmaking may have begun in Egypt, not Mesopotamia

    Ancient Mesopotamians lagged behind Egyptians as glassmakers.

  11. Archaeology

    For some early monks, impaired hearing amplified sounds of silence

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

  12. Humans

    Oldest alphabet identified as Hebrew

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