Tai Chi appears to benefit quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure, study finds

Tai chi exercise appears to be associated with improved quality of life, mood and exercise self-efficacy in patients with chronic heart failure, according to a new study.

Functional MRI shows how mindfulness meditation changes decision-making process

Neuroimaging research shows that Buddhist meditators use different areas of the brain than other people when confronted with unfair choices, enabling them to make decisions rationally rather than emotionally.

Research shows adult brains capable of rapid new growth

(PhysOrg.com) -- In a paper published in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, Veronica Kwok, Li-Hai Tan, and their colleagues at the University of Hong Kong, conclude that the adult human brain is capable of new rapid growth when exposed to stimuli similar to what babies experience as they are learning from their environment.

Mothers' hard work pays off with big brains for their babies

Brain growth in babies is linked to the amount of time and energy mothers "invest," according to new research. The study of 128 mammal species, including humans, shows that brain growth in babies is determined by the duration of pregnancy and how long they suckle. The research concludes that the longer the pregnancy and breastfeeding period in mammals, the bigger the baby

Does belief in free will lead to action?

Free will may be an illusion. Yet we persist in believing we are the masters of our fates—and that belief affects how we act. Think you determine the course of your life and you're likely to work harder toward your goals and feel better about yourself too. Think you don't, and you're likelier to behave in ways that fulfill that prophesy.

Keys to long life: longevity study unearths surprising answers

One of the findings that really astounds is that the Longevity Project participants who were the most cheerful and had the best sense of humor as kids lived shorter lives, on average, than those who were less cheerful and joking. It was the most prudent and persistent individuals who stayed healthiest and lived the longest.

Being 'mindful' can neutralize fears of death and dying

Death can be terrifying. Recognizing that death is inescapable and unpredictable makes us incredibly vulnerable, and can invoke feelings of anxiety, hatred and fear. But new research shows that being a mindful person not only makes you generally more tolerant and less defensive, but it can also actually neutralize fears of dying and death.

‘Telecoupling’ describes how distance is shrinking and connections are strengthening between nature and humans

Understanding and managing how humans and nature sustainably coexist is now so sweeping and lightning fast that it’s spawned a new concept:

We must learn to love uncertainty and failure, say leading thinkers

The planet's biggest brains respond to this year's Edge question: 'What scientific concept would improve everybody's cognitive toolkit?'

Can we feel the future through psi? don't rule it out

Ed Halliwell: A study suggesting the existence of precognition should be carefully scrutinised – not dismissed out of hand

Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in eight weeks

Participating in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. A new study is the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain

Tibetan monks turn to USA to train minds in science

Munching on pizza. Posting on Facebook. Hanging out with friends on weekends.

World's youngest Yoga teacher, six, hailed as a miracle at indian ashram

She starts her classes at 5.30am every morning, dressed in white leggings and a red t-shirt surrounded by 30 eager pupils ranging from businessmen to teachers to pensioners.

How to achieve ‘biological immortality’ naturally

Evolutionary biologist Michael Rose, professor at University of California, Irvine, says he has discovered a natural way to achieve “biological immortality”