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

    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.

  2. Archaeology

    Honeybees sweetened early farmers’ lives

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

  3. Anthropology

    Ancient hominids used wooden spears to fend off big cats

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

  4. 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.

  5. Anthropology

    Petite primate fossil could upend ideas about ape evolution

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

  6. Anthropology

    Plagues plagued the Bronze Age

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

  7. Anthropology

    Long before going to Europe, humans ventured east to Asia

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

  8. Humans

    Into Africa: Ancient skeleton sheds light on reverse migration

    Ancient man’s DNA helps reveal extent of Eurasian farmers’ back-to-Africa migration some 3,000 years ago.

  9. Humans

    Chimpanzees show surprising flexibility on two feet

    Chimpanzees’ upper-body flexibility while walking upright suggests ancient hominids walked effectively.

  10. Anthropology

    Bronze Age mummies identified in Britain

    Bone analysis finds widespread mummy making in ancient England and Scotland.

  11. Anthropology

    Ancient hominid ears were tuned to high frequencies

    Two ancient hominid species may have heard high-frequency sounds especially well.

  12. Anthropology

    Ancient hominid ears were tuned to high frequencies

    Two ancient hominid species may have heard high-frequency sounds especially well.