Humans

  1. Health & Medicine

    Gender: When the body and brain disagree

    Researchers are working to untangle the highly complex relationship between our biology and our identity. In some individuals, a conflict can emerge, leading to a transgender identity.

    By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
  2. Brain

    Explainer: Sometimes the body mixes up male and female

    Certain medical conditions demonstrate how complicated biology can be. Being genetically male and female will not guarantee that your body won’t sometimes contain one or more features of both.

    By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
  3. Brain

    Sugar makes mice sleepy

    Sugar may amp up sleep-promoting cells in the brain, a new study in mice finds.

    By Laura Sanders
  4. Health & Medicine

    Pain relief could come from a ‘drugstore’ for cells

    Mice with nerve damage can be treated for pain with an injection of cells from bone marrow. Scientists have now figured out why this works.

    By Sarah Schwartz
  5. Brain

    To protect kids, get the lead out!

    Lead poisons hundreds of thousands of children. In Chicago, experts show how the toxic metal hurts test performance in school.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  6. Brain

    Smell test may detect autism

    A new study finds that kids with autism sniff foul scents for as long as pleasing ones. The finding could lead to a test to diagnose the disorder.

    By Meghan Rosen
  7. Health & Medicine

    How this vitamin can foster pimples

    Oh no! Vitamin B12 can cause skin bacteria to secrete chemicals that cause zits.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  8. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Zoonosis

    Sometimes diseases in people come from animals. These diseases have a special name.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  9. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Carcinogen

    We have all heard that some things — such as ultraviolent rays from the sun or dangerous chemicals — can cause cancer. These agents have a special name.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  10. Health & Medicine

    New ways to fight the flu

    Influenza sickens millions each year. A worldwide epidemic could kill many of them. Fortunately, new ways to fight the flu offer hope — before it’s too late.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  11. Chemistry

    News Brief: Common campfire style is still the best

    Humans tend to build fires in the same way, in a pyramid as tall as it is wide. New calculations show this shape burns hottest.

    By Beth Mole
  12. Genetics

    A germ stopper for blood products

    A new system can disable almost all viruses or bacteria that are lurking in donated blood platelets and plasma.

    By Tara Haelle