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. Archaeology

    Stone adze points to ancient burial rituals in Ireland

    A polished stone tool discovered in Ireland’s earliest known gravesite helps scientists revive an ancient burial ceremony.

  2. Archaeology

    People settled Australia’s rugged interior surprisingly early

    Ancient colonists Down Under crossed the continent not long after arriving around 50,000 years ago.

  3. Psychology

    Learning curve not so smooth

    Preschoolers tend to reach a milestone of social thinking after months of fits and starts.

  4. Archaeology

    Wild monkeys throw curve at stone-tool making’s origins

    Monkeys that make sharp-edged stones raise questions about evolution of stone tool production.

  5. Psychology

    Erasing stigma needed in mental health care

    Social forces drive those in need away from mental health care.

  6. Psychology

    Chimps, other apes take mind reading to humanlike level

    In a first, apes show that they understand when others hold false beliefs.

  7. Humans

    Animal hybrids may hold clues to Neandertal-human interbreeding

    The physical effects of interbreeding among animals may offer clues to Neandertals’ genetic mark on humans.

  8. Anthropology

    Big Viking families nurtured murder

    Vikings in Iceland got a murderous boost from having large extended families.

  9. Archaeology

    Ancient Maya codex not fake, new analysis claims

    New report suggests an ancient Maya text — the bark-paper Grolier Codex — could be the oldest known document in Americas.

  10. Archaeology

    Digital rehab exposes Biblical roots of ancient Israeli scroll

    Virtual unwrapping reveals Biblical text on charred remains of ancient Israeli scroll.

  11. Archaeology

    Painting claimed to be among Australia’s oldest known rock art

    A painting on a cave’s ceiling may be one of Australia’s earliest examples of rock art, according to researchers who used an ancient wasps’ nest to date the art.

  12. Archaeology

    Oldest indigo-dyed fabric found

    South American society was first known to use complex dye process on fabrics.