Fibbing easier through e-mail — “A U.S. study shows e-mail is much more conducive to telling falsehoods than using old-fashioned pen and paper. Moreover, people feel more justified in doing it.” Past research has also found that e-mails are more likely to engender lower levels of trust, negative attitudes and sending rude messages. One more reason to slow down and take your time before replying to those pesky electronic messages.

Writing about values improves relationships — “According to a study published in this month’s issue of Psychological Science, writing about values you hold dear can conjure feelings of love and connection that may help strengthen your social bonds and decrease defensiveness.”

Court rules lesbians are not just from Lesbos — “A Greek court has dismissed a request by residents of the Aegean island of Lesbos to ban the use of the word lesbian to describe gay women, according to a court ruling made public on Tuesday.”

Too much gloom and doom — “Short-term troubles notwithstanding . . . the ‘data points add up to steady, continuing progress for average Americans.’ So no, everything is not spinning out of control. Alarmist headlines notwithstanding, America is doing all right.”

New Study Shows Age Brings Happiness — “In recent months, however, several studies have produced a stream of evidence that mostly points in the same direction, and also happens to overturn one of the most stubborn American stereotypes: the belief that this is a land whose gifts, charms and joys flow mostly to young people. The studies show that when you check on how happy people are at various ages, the elderly generally come out ahead.”

Magic Tricks Reveal Inner Workings of the Brain — “A science of magic . . . could take both cognitive science and magic to new heights — and that’s not all. It could help people defend themselves from the tricks of advertisers. ‘A magician’s force relies on the spectator being unaware that his or her choice is being manipulated . . . A science of magic could provide us with valuable ammunition in this regard.’”

Mona Lisa mown into suburban garden lawn — “An art-obsessed gardener has mown the Mona Lisa — complete with mysterious smile — into her lawn.”