aggression
Mouse Brain Cells Activate When They Witness a Fight
Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Jun 1, 2023 | 2 min read
A subset of hypothalamic neurons mirrors aggression in mice, challenging previous views on the location and functional role of these cells.
Dwarf Mongooses Shun Bullies to Manage Conflict: Study
Mary Bates | Apr 4, 2022 | 5 min read
These social animals keep tabs on aggressive members of the group and groom them less after fights to punish them.
Exposure to Chemical from Babies Linked to Aggression
Chloe Tenn | Nov 22, 2021 | 3 min read
A study finds that the odorless compound hexadecanal, or HEX, increases aggressive behavior in women but has a calming effect on men.
Does Sharing the Womb with a Brother Affect Girls?
Ashley Yeager | Mar 19, 2019 | 2 min read
A study links having a male twin with women’s educational, financial, and childbearing decisions. Researchers suspect prenatal exposure to testosterone may play a role.
Brain Stimulation Reduces Feelings of Aggression
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jul 3, 2018 | 2 min read
Researchers propose that the method could be used to rein in violence.
Image of the Day: Black-Eyed Rage
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jun 6, 2018 | 1 min read
When defensive, guppies display a warning sign to their counterparts.
Different Alcoholic Drinks Tied to Different Moods
Catherine Offord | Nov 21, 2017 | 2 min read
An online survey finds that people report feeling most relaxed with a glass of red wine or beer, and most aggressive when drinking spirits.
Image of the Day: Cantankerous Crab
The Scientist | May 5, 2017 | 1 min read
Hermit crabs living in broken shells outperform those inhabiting intact shells in fights because they attack more aggressively, compensating for lower muscle strength with vigor.
Eye on the Fly
Sarah C.P. Williams | Jan 1, 2015 | 8 min read
Automating Drosophila behavior screens gives researchers a break from tedious observation, and enables higher-throughput, more-quantitative experiments than ever before.
Mirrors May Not Be Enemies
Jef Akst | Oct 10, 2014 | 2 min read
New research shows that using mirrors to elicit aggressive behavior from animals may not be a fool-proof plan.
Seeing Red
Rina Shaikh-Lesko | Aug 1, 2014 | 2 min read
Reef fish, once thought to be unable to see red wavelengths, not only fluoresce deep red, but males of some species react to seeing their own bioluminescent pattern.
Contributors
Kate Yandell | Apr 1, 2013 | 3 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the April 2013 issue of The Scientist.
The Roots of Violence
Travis Rayne Pickering | Apr 1, 2013 | 3 min read
Archaeology can shine needed light on the evolution of our aggressive tendencies.
Book Excerpt from Rough and Tumble
Travis Rayne Pickering | Mar 31, 2013 | 4 min read
In Chapter 3, “Tamping the Simian Urge,” author Travis Rayne Pickering contrasts the brute physicality of predatory chimpanzees with the headier hunting style employed by humans.
The Making of a Bully
Bhavana Weidmann | Jan 25, 2013 | 3 min read
Adolescent rats exposed to stress grow into pathologically aggressive adults, behaviors that may be explained by accompanying epigenetic changes and altered brain activity.
Behavior Brief
Jef Akst | Oct 17, 2011 | 5 min read
A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research