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. Health & Medicine

    Pay attention to that under-the-weather feeling

    People can forecast their likelihood of catching colds by rating their own health, study shows.

  2. Anthropology

    People roamed tip of South America 18,500 years ago

    Stone tools, charred animal bones and fire ash found at the Monte Verde site in Chile indicate people reached South America’s southernmost territory at least 18,500 years ago.

  3. Psychology

    Culture shapes sense of fairness

    Culture shapes kids’ sense of fairness, especially when they get the short end of the stick.

  4. Anthropology

    DNA puts Neandertal relatives in Siberia for 60,000 years

    Recovered DNA suggests Denisovans inhabited Siberia for around 60,000 years.

  5. Anthropology

    DNA puts Neandertal relatives in Siberia for 60,000 years

    Recovered DNA suggests Denisovans inhabited Siberia for around 60,000 years.

  6. Anthropology

    Mummified boy’s DNA unveils new but ancient maternal lineage

    An Inca child’s DNA shows he hailed from a newly identified line of maternal ancestors.

  7. Archaeology

    Honeybees sweetened early farmers’ lives

    Residue on pottery pegs ancient farmers as devotees of honeybee products.

  8. Anthropology

    Ancient hominids used wooden spears to fend off big cats

    Saber-toothed cat remains suggest ancient hominids used wooden spears as defensive weapons.

  9. Anthropology

    Early globalization on display in history of Eurasian civilization

    It was a long, strange trip from the first Eurasian farmers to the modern world.

  10. Anthropology

    Petite primate fossil could upend ideas about ape evolution

    Ancient fossils suggest modern apes descended from a small, gibbonlike creature.

  11. Anthropology

    Plagues plagued the Bronze Age

    Ancient bacterial DNA provides first clues to Bronze Age plagues in Europe and Asia.

  12. Anthropology

    Long before going to Europe, humans ventured east to Asia

    Cave finds indicate modern humans reached southern China long before entering Europe.