Physics of Superheroes
Superhero comic books offer surprising lessons in physics.
Podcast
COMMUNICATING SCIENCE: The physics of superheroes, teaching evolution to children, science in the theater, and math anxiety in girls.
Writing the Brain
Scientists have pinpointed the brain region responsible for efficient reading, writing and spelling.
Scary Kafka Roundup
Reading disturbing, surrealistic stories may make you smarter than reading stories with straightforward plots.
Podcast
Torture gets a failing grade from neuroscience, a new benthic rover explores the ocean floor, how surrealism makes you smarter, and putting full moon folklore to the test.
Sleep & Memory
Different stages of sleep may play separate, crucial roles in memory formation.
Brainy Impersonation
Professional impressionists use different parts of their brains than amateurs when impersonating famous people.
Colleges Toss Tests
Many colleges have made standardized tests optional for admission.
Podcast
Sled dogs defy fatigue, inside the musician's brain, fooling a GPS system, and more.
Math Roundup
A large international study suggests that girls only lag behind boys in math achievement in cultures where gender inequality remains a problem.
Memory Roundup
Our memory is closely linked to our imagination; and daytime naps help us remember what we learn.
Podcast
Genes and the Brain: What mice can tell us about cocaine addiction and our ability to tell hot from cold. Plus: could a gene contribute to poor judgment?
Learning from Mistakes
A genetic variation may impair one's ability to avoid dangerous choices.
Wild Teen Roundup
A new skin test could predict which kids are most at risk for developing behavioral problems.
Podcast
IQ is overrated, why we have wisdom teeth (and why some people don't), an ancient Chinese remedy for malaria, how not to repel mosquitoes, and your skin's natural defenses against bacteria.
Podcast
The call of a rare bird, marijuana-like brain chemicals, the Earth without a tilt, using measles to fight cancer, and making public aquariums accessible to the blind.
Aquariums for Ears
Scientists are using sound to make public aquariums accessible to the visually impaired.
Podcast
How addiction is like hunger, a new therapy that targets a virus's genes, the best math students perform the worst, pollution could contribute to obesity, and new immigrants face color and height biases.
Race and Achievement
A simple self-esteem-building exercise could help close the stubborn "achievement gap" between African Americans and whites.
Hiring Roundup
Would you trust a computer to match you with your perfect job--or your perfect mate? One researcher thinks you will.