Science / Mind & Body

With Biodesign, Life is Not Only the Subject of Art, But the Medium Too

Artists are borrowing from biology to create dazzling “biodesigns” that challenge our aesthetics—and our place in nature

February 21, 2013

An Artificial Ear Built By a 3D Printer and Living Cartilage Cells

Cornell scientists used computerized scanning, 3D printers and cartilage from cows to create living prosthetic ears

February 21, 2013

Study Predicts Political Beliefs With 83 Percent Accuracy

Scans show that liberals and conservatives use different parts of the brain when they take risks, helping to pinpoint the political party a person prefers

February 14, 2013

The Unsettling Beauty of Lethal Pathogens

British artist Luke Jerram’s handblown glass sculptures show the visual complexity and delicacy of E. coli, swine flu, malaria and other killing agents

February 7, 2013

The Year’s Most Outstanding Science Visualizations

A juried competition honors photographs, illustrations, videos, posters, games and apps that marry art and science in an evocative way

February 5, 2013

Pick Your Poison: A Diet Mixer Could Make You Get Drunk Faster

The same amount of liquor causes a higher level of intoxication when mixed with diet soda instead of regular soda, a new study finds

February 5, 2013

Primal Screens: How Pro Football Is Amping Up Its Game

Pro football is turning to screens—some massive, others on smart phones—to try to keep its fans entertained.

February 1, 2013

Obesity Could Be the True Killer for Football Players

Head injuries have received much deserved attention in the news, but there’s a 350-pound problem that few are discussing

January 31, 2013

Beatboxing, as Seen Through Scientific Images

To see how certain sound effects are humanly possible, a team of University of Southern California researchers took MRI scans of a beatboxer in action

January 30, 2013

Coming Out of the Closet May Be Good For Your Health

For lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals, a new study suggests that coming out provides a tangible health benefit, both mentally and biologically

January 29, 2013

Lightning May Trigger Migraine Headaches

A new study suggests that lightning alone—even without the other elements of a thunderstorm—might trigger migraines

January 25, 2013

Learning From Nature How to Deal With Nature

As cities like New York prepare for what appears to be a future of more extreme weather, the focus increasingly is on following nature’s lead

January 23, 2013

Nanoparticles With a Heart of Gold Can Kill Cancer Cells

Gold nanoparticles are multitaskers when it comes to destroying cancer cells, researchers have found

January 22, 2013

Too Much Chili Powder Or Black Pepper Can Kill Kids

A two year old girl died after her caretaker allegedly poisoned her with chili powder

January 18, 2013

A Lucky Two Percent of People Have a Gene for Stink-Free Armpits

But a new study finds most of them still use deodorant

January 18, 2013

Long-Term Marijuana Use Could Have Zero Effect on IQ

Last summer, a study found that long-term cannabis use reduced cognitive skills. A new study seems to say the opposite

January 14, 2013

Video: Tiny Artificial Muscles Dance Like Mexican Jumping Beans

MIT scientists have created thin polymer sheets that expand and contract when in contact with water, lifting several times their weight

January 10, 2013

Proven: Pruney Fingers Give You a Better Grip

A new study shows that when our fingers get wrinkly, they’re better at gripping wet objects

January 9, 2013

Could Diet Soda Cause Clinical Depression?

A new study suggests a link, but it’s important to remember the difference between causation and correlation

January 8, 2013

Your Alarm Clock May Be Hazardous to Your Health

Switching up your sleep schedule is wreaking havoc on your body’s natural rhythm

January 2013