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Recent studies indicate that the brain's insular cortex may help a sprinter drive his body forward just a little more efficiently than his competitors.

A Single Brain Structure May Give Winners That Extra Physical Edge

An extraordinary insula helps elite athletes better anticipate their body’s upcoming feelings, improving their physical reactions

World’s First Test Tube Baby Turns 34 Today

On this day 34 years ago, Louise Brown, the first “test tube baby,” was welcomed into the world

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The Long Journey of Chief Joseph’s War Shirt

Important Native American artifact seen in Smithsonian portrait fetches $877,500 at Nevada auction

Loud Sex Will Get You Eaten By Bats (If You’re a Fly)

Flies now join likes of Romeo and Juliet, and Tristan and Isolde, determined but doomed lovers who would do anything - including die - for love

This little guy might one day become a tire.

These Tires Are Made from Dandelions and Soy

Companies are experimenting with rubber alternatives, turning to things like dandelions and soybeans to build their wheels

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English Evolving Much More Slowly on the Internet than During the Renaissance

A new study charted how English has changed over the past 500 years, finding it to be more stagnant than ever before

You could improve your aim, or you could improve your trash can.

Kinect Hack Lets You Sink Every Shot, Every Time

For those who can never hit the trash can with their little wads of paper, never fear, Kinect can help

Why 97 Percent Of Greenland’s Icy Surface Just Melted

Behind the doors of the Geneva Freeport are untold treasures.

Hollywood’s Next Heist Movie Should Be Shot Here

No one knows exactly what’s hidden in a giant warehouse in Sweden, but everyone agrees that it’s really, really valuable

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VIDEO: Baby Cheetahs Frolic at the Zoo

The National Zoo’s baby cheetahs get to know their new home while waiting for their new names from the winning American Olympic sprinters

This jaw from Kent’s Cavern is about 41,000 years old. That makes it the oldest modern human fossil in England and one of the oldest ever found in Europe.

The Top Five Human Evolution Discoveries from England

As many as four different species of hominids have lived in England, starting 800,000 years ago

Jean Jacoby's Corner, left, and Rugby. At the 1928 Olympic Art Competitions in Amsterdam, Jacoby won a gold medal for Rugby.

When the Olympics Gave Out Medals for Art

In the modern Olympics’ early days, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians battled for gold, silver and bronze

Human population growth. Data: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Why the Population Time Bomb Hasn’t Finished Exploding

Today's Google Doodle celebrates Amelia Earhart's birthday.

Amelia Earhart, Fashionista

A few highlights of coverage celebrating Amelia Earhart’s 115th birthday

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Why the Idea of Killing Sharks to Make Waters Safer Is Absurd

The recent fatal shark attack off Western Australia has ignited a debate there over whether the fish should continue to be protected

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NASA Successfully Tests Inflatable Heat Shield for Descending Spacecraft

A new type of heat shield, made of kevlar-woven fabric and an inflation system, survived a 288-mile descent to Earth

Neanderthal skulls

New Study Suggests Humans, Not Climate, Killed Off Neanderthals

Flying ants emerge from the grass.

Invasion of Flying Ants Is at Hand

Britain prepares to welcome their new flying ant overlords

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Want to be a Genius? Try Zapping Your Brain

Researchers are hoping to use electric jolts to jump start people’s brains

Today’s the Shared Anniversary of Ruin Porn Poster Children Detroit, Machu Picchu

July 24th marks double jackpot for the intrepid explorers of years past as well for as fans of the latest photographic trend, “ruin porn.”

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