All Stories by Alison Pearce Stevens
- Brain
What part of us knows right from wrong?
Our conscience may have evolved from our need to cooperate. Scientists are learning where the brain’s moral centers are, and how they make us human.
- Animals
Some male hummingbirds wield their bills as weapons
The shape of some hummingbird bills may reflect a trade-off between drinking nectar and fighting off the competition.
- Climate
Renewable energy might be able to green a desert
Computer models show that placing wind turbines and solar farms in deserts could increase how much rain falls in nearby areas.
- Animals
Chigger ‘bites’ may trigger an allergy to red meat
Some people develop a food allergy to red meat, and researchers suspect chiggers bites are to blame.
- Health & Medicine
Here’s what puts teen drivers at greatest risk of a crash
Most teen car crashes trace to distraction and a driver’s inexperience. New studies point to how easily we can be distracted and by which activities.
- Health & Medicine
Smartphones may serve as digital security blankets
In a new study, students in awkward social situations experienced less stress if they had — but didn’t use — their smartphones.
- Health & Medicine
Phones in the classroom hurt everyone’s grades
When students use electronic devices in the classroom, their school performance may suffer. And so might their classmates’ grades, a new study finds.
- Health & Medicine
2016 election stressed out some teens and young adults
Some teens and young adults felt stress, anxiety and fear during the 2016 election — no matter what political candidates they tended to prefer.
- Health & Medicine
Finding and helping teens for whom sadness is a disease
Adolescents should soon be screened for depression at their yearly check-up with their doctor.
- Health & Medicine
Athletes’ head injuries can provoke surprisingly long-lasting harm
Even as symptoms of an athletic head injury fade, the brain may remain impaired, new data show. The harm may last months — perhaps even a lifetime.
- Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is a concussion?
A concussion is a severe type of head injury that can damage a brain for weeks to years — perhaps even a lifetime.
- Chemistry
Increasingly, chocolate-makers turn to science
Chocolate is delicious and may even have health benefits. To make sure there’s enough to go around, scientists are growing heartier cacao trees.
