relationships

Science Confirms the Obvious

Parents and Adult Children: Mutually Irritating

Family dynamics often fraught with tension, study shows

Investigators at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research have unequivocally demonstrated that our parents often get on our nerves -- and we on theirs. "The parent-child relationship is one of the longest-lasting social ties human beings establish," said Kira Birditt, the study's lead. "This tie is often highly positive and supportive but it also commonly includes feelings of irritation, tension and ambivalence."

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Missing Links

Don't Worry, Get Married

Smiley people seem to have more wedded bliss

This is strange: to predict how successful your marriage will be, take out an old yearbook picture of yourself. Are you smiling big, just like the class photographer wanted you to do? That's a good indicator that you're not going to get divorced.

Also in today's links: wolves in Montana, allergies to fruit and veggies, and more.

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The Sex Files

Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Especially When You're a Vole)

Scientists discover that breakups can lead to neurochemistry changes by dashing voles' romantic relationships

The cute and cuddly prairie vole, one of only a few mammals that remain monogamous for most of their lives, has long been a favorite “lab rat” for scientists studying love and attachment. Now researchers at Emory University and the University of Regensburg have found that prairie voles actually show signs of grieving—the opposite of attachment—when they’re taken away from their romantic partners.

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December 2009: Best of What's New

In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.

Check out the best of what's new here.

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