Four in five Americans check their phones within 15 minutes of waking, and 79% keep that device on or near them for 22 hours each day. As author and entrepreneur Nir Eyal points out, these devices have the human race hooked - but why? We sat down with him to find out more.

From the NSA scandal to the ‘white lies’ people often tell themselves, the world seems riddled with more deceit than ever. We sat down with acclaimed behavioural economist Dan Ariely to learn more about the driving forces behind dishonesty.

As fears of financial meltdown in 2012 take hold, there is a palpable sense of unease spreading across many sections of society. From the boardroom to the back garden, more people are embracing the importance of being prepared for the worst.

“I would rather live in a cupboard in Soho than in a mansion in Surrey,” says 50-year-old Vishnia. Urban retirees are embracing life after work as a chance to learn and explore. And owning 80% of the UK's net personal wealth, they can afford to. But what’s driving them to the city?

From e-cigarettes to Coke Zero, people see ‘light’ alternatives as healthier – based not on the ingredients, but on everything from packaging colours to product labels. But if it’s simply a matter of perception, is a ‘healthy high’ truly achievable?

Are you tech savvy or a luddite? Do you prefer to jet set or stick to the continent? And what do these lifestyles mean for the future of your skin? Sk:n Clinics has collaborated with futurologist Ray Hammond to provide an insight into what the future of skincare could look like.

GymPact was devised in a behavioural economics class by Harvard students. After being picked up by the media and demonstrating impressive results during its first trial in Boston, the idea is being launched worldwide this January.

Studies show that three quarters of us are born with the inclination to make poor spending decisions - spurring the creation of Japanese money management app PhotoMoney. And while it's not the first, developers believe it's unique enough to effectively alter spending habits.