
Robin Nixon Pompa
Robin Nixon is a former staff writer for Live Science. Robin graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Neuroscience and Behavior and pursued a PhD in Neural Science from New York University before shifting gears to travel and write. She worked in Indonesia, Cambodia, Jordan, Iraq and Sudan, for companies doing development work before returning to the U.S. and taking journalism classes at Harvard. She worked as a health and science journalist covering breakthroughs in neuroscience, medicine, and psychology for the lay public, and is the author of "Allergy-Free Kids; The Science-based Approach To Preventing Food Allergies," (Harper Collins, 2017). She will attend the Yale Writer’s Workshop in summer 2023.
Latest articles by Robin Nixon Pompa

Poisoned Halloween Candy: Trick, Treat or Myth?
By Robin Nixon published
Claims of children dying after a sugary bite from trick-or-treat stashes boil down to tall tales, scientists say.
Reality Check: Indian Woman Said to Cry Blood
By Robin Nixon published
A girl in India has reportedly become a holy shrine because she cries blood. Crying blood is actually a real phenomenon.

In 50 Years, the Pill Has Come a Long Way
By Robin Nixon published
Today's birth control pill is definitely not your grandma's.

Young Men More Sensitive than Women to Relationship Quality
By Robin Nixon published
Despite their blasé demeanors, young men are more affected by the ups and downs of romantic relationships than their girlfriends, a new study suggests.

Fact of Nature: Men Willing to Die for Sex
By Robin Nixon published
By assuring men that they are likely to have sex, monogamy and economic equality could increase male life span, a new study suggests.

Psychologist: Oil Spill Worst Disaster in U.S. History
By Robin Nixon published
Psychologically speaking, is the oil spill disaster more like 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina? Researchers suggest neither; it falls in a third category and is among the worst in U.S. history.
Umbilical Cords Clamped Too Soon, Researchers Say
By Robin Nixon published
Delaying umbilical cord clamping by just a few minutes may impart significant health benefits to the baby.

Breast Milk Does DNA Good
By Robin Nixon published
A newborn gulping breast milk may be doing his or her genes good, researchers say.
Sex Is Good for the Heart, Even After Heart Attack
By Robin Nixon published
After suffering a heart attack, many people lay off sex ⎯ for no good reason, report researchers.
Do Animals Like to Have Sex?
By Robin Nixon published
The enjoyment of sex is experienced in very primitive regions of the human brain.

Dads Get Postpartum Depression, Too
By Robin Nixon published
One in 10 fathers experience prenatal or post-partum depression, with the risks peaking when the new baby is 3 to 6 months old, reports a new study.

'Drive-thru' Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Soar
By Robin Nixon published
A near doubling in minimally-invasive procedures, such as cosmetic injections and fillers, overwhelmed the 20 percent decline in expensive surgical procedures, like facelifts and eyelid surgery.
Gestures Can Mislead Children
By Robin Nixon published
Gestures can mislead kids, so parents looking to find out the truth from a child should be careful with their hands as well as their words.

4 Myths About Hookah Health Spur Wide Use
By Robin Nixon published
The growing popularity of hookahs, or water pipes, among North American youth may be spurred, in part, by a misperception that they are safer than cigarettes.
Hand-Washing Wipes Away Buyer's Remorse
By Robin Nixon published
Cleansing one's hands may wipe the mental state clean as well.
What You Eat Affects You, Your Kids and Your Grandkids
By Robin Nixon published
Epigenetics may be giving us a better understanding of how lifestyle affects health -- not only our own health but that of our children and grandchildren

Naps and Dreams Boost Learning, Study Finds
By Robin Nixon published
Dreams boost learning and help us make sense of the real world. A new study may be the first to show this connection between dreaming and learning.
What's Behind Our Love of Curvaceous Cars
By Robin Nixon published
Human instincts draw us to either curvy models or those with sharp angles. And carmakers cater to one or the other, depending on the era, a new study shows.

Even Toddlers Appreciate Altruism
By Robin Nixon published
Toddlers care more about whether others try to help than if they actually succeed.
As Economy Improves, Music May Get More Upbeat
By Robin Nixon published
Tough times make listeners prefer tough songs and tough artists. But healthy economies nurture cheesy pop.
Individuals with Rare Disorder Have No Racial Biases
By Robin Nixon published
Never has a human population been found that has no racial stereotypes. Until now.
Has the Recession Made You More Beautiful?
By Robin Nixon published
When times are tough, men prefer women with larger waists and smaller eyes, research suggests.
Face-Lifts Should Include Bone Implants, Researchers Say
By Robin Nixon published
Cosmetic surgeons are now saying that bone implants may be the new face-lift.
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