Humans
How to invent a language — like that of Avatar’s Na’vi
Linguists can choose to follow, mix or break the rules of real-world languages to create interesting fictional ones.
Humans
More Stories in Humans
- Health & Medicine
A little shape-up helps these pimple patches get a grip
These zit patches use some innovative geometry to anchor onto skin. This solves one problem that’s hindered other uses of microneedles for drug delivery.
- Animals
Ants are better team players than people [COMIC]
For ants, teamwork makes the dream work. For humans, teamwork can be a trip-up.
- Psychology
Listening to slightly different sounds in each ear may boost focus, teen finds
While “binaural beats” may boost attention, his research shows video game music is distracting.
- Tech
A modified glue gun squirts a material to help heal broken bones
The handheld printer might someday apply bone-repair patches directly onto fractures — complete with antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Humans
This linguist has invented over 20 languages
Margaret Ransdell-Green draws on her expertise in linguistics and music to create new, fictional languages — and sings in them, too.
- Humans
Smoke-dried mummies found in Southeast Asia are the oldest known
The corpses had been slow-dried over fires 12,000 years ago — millennia before Egyptians began mummifying their dead.
- Science & Society
Behold the world’s weirdest library — which might save your life
This bizarre collection of “standard reference materials” help ensure the safety of waterways, buildings, medicines, foods and much more.
- Microbes
Thank microbes for chocolate’s tasty flavors
Cocoa beans matter, but yeast and bacteria may be the real secret to fine chocolate flavor.
- Health & Medicine
What are vitamins?
Humans need 13 different vitamins to stay healthy. Most come from the food we eat. Others are made in our bodies.
