Just thinking you had a good night’s sleep can improve your cognitive abilities, a new study has suggested. The study, led by researchers at Colorado College, found that those who were told they’d had a good night’s sleep, even if they hadn’t, outperformed those who were informed they’d slept badly. The researchers told 164 participants that a new technique, which in fact does not exist, could measure their sleep quality from the night before. They were randomly assigned to two groups -- “above

Off the southern coast of Korea near Jindo Island, a team of Korean archaeologists have discovered a cornucopia of relics that they hope will provide a glimpse into the country’s rich history of cultural assets. Among the artifacts are a pair of ceramic jars believed to date back to the Three Kingdoms era (57 to 668 AD) and two items that look like yogo, an ancient prototype of janggo, the traditional hourglass-shaped double headed drum. “The waters off Oryu-ri, Jindo, are an underwater treasure

The memoir “12 Years a Slave” was published in 1853, a year after Harriet Beecher Stowe’s classic, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”Now Solomon Northup’s personal narrative is a bestseller ― 161 years after it first came out ― through a tie-in to the celebrated movie version of his memoir. And it is likely to get a big boost from the many Oscar nominations the film has received.The antebellum drama is one of several films this year that have given their namesake books a second life.For years the slim volume

In this reflection on six great alcoholic American writers ― John Cheever, Raymond Carver, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, John Berryman and Tennessee Williams ― Olivia Laing emerges as a kind of British Susan Orlean, combining nonfiction narrative, travel writing, literary criticism and a touch of memoir in a personable style. While it’s rare to quote blurbs in a book review (with good reason), Hilary Mantel, of “Wolf Hall” fame, says something on the book’s back cover that is worth repe

In the BloodBy Lisa Unger(Touchstone) Each of Lisa Unger’s visits to The Hollows delves deeper into the myriad residents of this quiet town about 160 kilometers from New York City. Here, in this idyllic-sounding town, there is a menace that latches onto those who live here and seeps into their lives.Unger continues her dark psychological approach in this third visit to The Hollows. The only recurring characters in Unger’s The Hollows novels are Jones Cooper, a detective, and his psychologist wif

My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of MindBy Scott Stossel(Alfred A. Knopf)“No sharp-witted judge knows how to interrogate, to examine the accused as anxiety does, which never lets him escape, neither by diversion nor by noise, neither at work nor at play, neither by day nor by night,” the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard observed. Many of you will know exactly what he means. (Trust me, I do: I’m a freelancer.) Some 40 million Americans suffer from the gnawing unease of

The Korean chapter of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s alumni association will present “proud alumni” awards to three graduates in a ceremony at a Seoul hotel on Saturday.The recipients are former Minister of Strategy and Finance Yoon Jeung-hyun, Inha University’s department of mathematics chair professor Kang Hyeon-bae and Virginia Tech.’s assistant professor of mechanical engineering Dennis Hong.Yoon was recognized for his contribution to stabilizing the finance market while serving as Fi

Korean mothers must choose right time to send kids abroad to maximize English learning

The number of foreign cruise tourists to Korea has increased over the last six years, emerging as a welcome boost in the inbound travel market. Korea saw the number of foreign cruise passengers stopping at Korean ports grow tenfold from 70,000 in 2008 to 700,000 last year. Last year saw a two-fold increase from the previous year and the number is expected to reach about 900,000 this year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. “We expect the number of cruise tourists to Korea to continue t

The former president of the Louvre Museum and Cho Yang-ho, the chairman and CEO of Korean Air, will head up a joint organizing commission to prepare for the 130th anniversary of Korean-French diplomatic relations in 2015 and 2016.Henri Loyrette, former president and general director of the Louvre Museum, announced his appointment as he wrapped up a week-long visit to South Korea with a press briefing at the French Embassy, Tuesday. Cho is well-known as an avid supporter of the arts here and abro

Oakwood Premier Coex Center is offering a winter accommodation package to guests who wish to relax with family members during the Lunar New Year holidays next week. The package, available from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, consists of a one-night stay, two movie tickets for Megabox and two Coex Aquarium passes. Rates range from 165,000-235,000 won ($154-220) depending on the room type. The Studio Deluxe is available at 165,000 won, the One Bed Deluxe at 195,000 won and the Two Bed Deluxe at 235,000 won. Fo

PARIS (AP) ― “I’m just trying to change the world, one sequin at a time,” Lady Gaga once said. And the fashion-inspired singer reigned supreme at the opening of Paris’ luxuriant haute couture shows. Monday marked the first full day of the spring-summer 2014 displays in Paris, including collections from Christian Dior Couture, Giambattista Valli and Schiaparelli.Here are some key moments and tidbits from the day.Lady Gaga at VersaceShe may not yet have changed the world, but Lady Gaga almost upst

Forbes reported 10 tips for working better. David Rock, director of the NeuroLeadership Institute and author of “Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long,” provides the tips.(MCT)1. Don’t check your email first thing.2. Make your first task of the day prioritizing your top three goals.3. Conserve your decision-making energy at every opportunity.4. Find and protect your quality thinking time.5. Reserve meetings for your low-focus