Allison Parshall

Allison Parshall, associate editor for Mind and Brain at Scientific American, explains proposed sweeping revisions to how mental illness is defined. She outlines flaws in long-standing diagnostic categories and discusses moves toward dimensional labels, biomarkers, and more flexible, contextual diagnoses. She also covers tensions between clinical usefulness and biological research.

Join Andrea Thompson, an Associate Editor at Scientific American, as she dives into the future of climate policies and energy choices facing the upcoming U.S. presidential candidates. Meghan Bartels discusses the pressing issue of gun control, examining its classification as a public health crisis. Gary Stix sheds light on how immigration policies are crucial for the STEM workforce, predicting a potential shortage. Finally, Allison Parshall contrasts educational policies, focusing on the implications for student debt relief and public education funding.

Scientific American associate news editor, Allison Parshall, discusses the challenges of cleaning up the Seine River for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Topics include revitalizing polluted rivers, urban river swimming movements in Europe, and efforts to improve water quality for Olympic events.

Allison Parshall, an associate mind and brain editor and music enthusiast, explores the evolutionary roots of singing in this engaging conversation. They discuss the cultural significance of singing across societies and delve into fascinating theories about why we sing. Parshall highlights research differentiating the brain's processing of speech and singing, revealing the neurobiological mechanisms involved. The episode also examines how singing fosters social bonds, offering therapeutic benefits and unifying experiences for individuals and communities alike.

Allison Parshall, a Scientific American associate news editor and music enthusiast, explores the fascinating evolution of singing. She discusses contrasting theories on whether singing is an evolutionary accident or essential for human connection. Parshall highlights how neuroscience reveals the distinct brain functions for speech and song. The conversation also examines the social power of singing across cultures and an innovative experiment aimed at uncovering how singing fosters emotional connections among individuals.