Humans
- Health & Medicine
Analyze This: Real data on lead levels in school drinking water
The metallic element lead can be toxic if ingested. To keep students safe, many schools now test their water. Some have found dangerously high levels.
- Health & Medicine
Searching for better, cooler friends might backfire
When people try to find the best possible people to hang out with, they become less happy in life, a new study finds.
- Health & Medicine
Star Trek gets closer to becoming home tech
Inspired by Star Trek, inventors have created handheld devices to diagnose common medical ailments.
- Chemistry
Scientists know that you pee in the pool
A new way to find urine in pools and hot tubs measures the concentration of an artificial sweetener in the water.
- Health & Medicine
Ötzi the mummified Iceman actually froze to death
Ötzi the Iceman, a mummy whose icy 5,300-year-old remains turned up in the Alps in 1991, died of the cold — not murder. That’s the result of new forensic analyses.
- Health & Medicine
Concerns explode over new health risks of vaping
A host of brand new studies unearth worrisome health concerns related to teen vaping.
- Brain
Just viewing super-size meals can promote overeating
Large portions of food dampen activity in a brain area involved in self-control, a new study shows.
- Brain
Food smells better to sleepyheads
People who want to resist junk foods or overeating may want to make sure they get a good night’s rest. Being tired makes the scent of foods more appealing, a new study finds.
- Brain
Noticing mistakes boosts learning
People who pay attention to their mistakes are more likely to do better the next time, data show.
- Animals
Among mice, scratching is catching — as in contagious
Contagious itching spreads by sight, mouse-to-mouse. Scientists have now identified brain structures behind this phenomenon.
- Health & Medicine
Early birds eat better
People who love mornings tend to eat healthier food throughout the day. This could help explain why night owls tend be less healthy overall.
- Psychology
Cool Jobs: Doing real science in virtual worlds
Virtual reality isn’t just for gamers. Scientists are using VR technology to tackle real-world problems.
