ScienCentral discusses research following up on the recently reported finding that normal people tend to be risk averse. The new study found that patients with damage to emotional areas of the brain made better investment decisions than normal people. The finding is consistent with the idea that our behavior tends to be determined by our immediate emotions rather than a rational assessment of the situation.

And Nature reports on a recent study demonstrating that many people with chronic pain can be taught to markedly reduce their own discomfort simply by controlling their thoughts.