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A new study in the June issue of Emotion found a connection between people with the short version of gene 5-HTTLPR and a more significant sense of humor. The study looked at 336 adults, showing them humorous comics and film clips, and rating the participants intensities of smiles or laughter. Those with the shorter alleles had more intense reactions of laughter or smiles and rated the comics or film clips as funnier than those with the longer alleles of the same gene. In past research, the 5-HTTLPR gene has been linked to regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is thought to be related to mood fluctuations. [More]

Syracuse, NY native Ronnie Brower has managed to lose 425 pounds in just under two years. Not only is this feat amazing for the amount of weight loss, but it is a testament to Brower’s hard work as he lost the weight through old fashioned exercise and eating well. Two years ago, Brower was faced with news that his weight of almost 700 pounds could mean death before reaching the age of 30. Well Brower just celebrated his 30th birthday, and he did so over 400 pounds lighter, reaching his goal of 250 pounds. Along his journey, Brower often cited Taylor Swift’s songs as his inspiration as he continued to put in long hours at the gym. [More]

Our society tends to believe that if one works hard enough, they will do well. However, according to the recent census, two-thirds of people living in poverty are working 1.7 jobs. Many people work hard and are still not making it, not even for basic needs. [More]

What is happening to Bruce Jenner is a microcosm of what happens to human beings when they have an identity crisis. What is an identity crisis? Theorist and social psychologist, Erik Erikson coined the term identity crisis and believed that it was one of the most important conflicts people face in development. [More]

Charlize Theron, on the latest cover of W Magazine, made some strong statements about women and aging. During the interview, Theron discussed that she used to be judgmental towards aging women while she was in her younger years. She discusses that, as she began aging, her own views on the process began to change and evolve. [More]

101 year old Rosa Camfield’s picture holding her newborn great-granddaughter instantly went viral across social media pages. Camfield died March 30, 2015 just after creating an internet legacy. The picture was posted by Camfield’s granddaughter, Sarah Hamm, mother of the baby pictured. It did not take long for the photo of the intergenerational duo to take storm on the internet. [More]

Astronaut and veteran Scott Kelly, 51, is preparing to live a full year in the international space station in order to study the impact a year in space could have physically, mentally, and emotionally. The objectives of this mission are to study the potential biological, as well as psychological, impacts of prolonged time in space on a human being. This mission could have broader implications as NASA looks to the future in creating space stations for human beings, as well as possible hubs on the moon where individuals would live and work. [More]

There is no doubt that adoption is an emotional process for families, from the initial decision to pursue adoption all the way through negotiating childrearing and adulthood. Adoption is not a simple process, but a complex series of interactions that can be frustrating and daunting. Emotionally fulfilling and at the same time taxing, adoptive families almost universally agree that it is an overall enriching life experience that they wouldn’t change. What’s perhaps most unexpected for families is how their experience of the process is emotionally so similar to that experience that their adoptive child experiences. [More]

Whatever the cause of a bully’s behavior, victims are not responsible for it. Employers are responsible for ensuring that work environments are safe and healthy for all employees. Victims must understand that they cannot change the bully, and must take steps to protect themselves. Being a victim of workplace bullying can be a traumatic experience, impacting the victim’s emotional and physical health, as well as relationships. [More]

There have been teachers and visionaries from the past whose words continue to hold meaning regardless of when they were originally spoken. It's time to stop this cycle and really listen to what these teachers have to offer. [More]