CrossingsBen GoldfarbW.W. Norton & Co., $30 Nearly 65 million kilometers of roadway crisscross the Earth — enough to encircle the planet more than 1,600 times — and that number will…
Category: Life
‘The single most notorious killer of humans’: What are the true origins of the 14th century Black Plague?
It’s rare that compelling clues converge to illuminate a longstanding medical mystery: the origin of the Black Death, a bubonic plague that killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe…
Bright-Light Treatment’s Power Over Stress-Induced Sleep Problems
Summary: Researchers unveiled the neural pathway linking chronic stress to sleep disturbances, shedding light on how bright-light treatment rectifies these issues. The study, involving mouse models, emphasized the crucial role…
Truth Relativism and its Ties to Conspiracy Theory Beliefs
Summary: Researchers explored the link between the belief that truth is relative and susceptibility to conspiracy theories. Two studies, involving Swedes and Brits, evaluated participants’ perspectives on truth and their…
Scientists grow humanized kidneys in pig embryos
Scientists have successfully grown kidneys made of mostly human cells inside pig embryos — taking researchers yet another step down the long road toward generating viable human organs for transplant.…
Viewpoint: Outdated organic technology? By rejecting gene editing, growers left with more disease-prone, pest-infested crops
East Yorks mixed farmer Paul Temple suggests that in closing its mind to new genetic technologies, the organic sector may miss out on a major opportunity to transform the productivity,…
Jersey Numbers and Perception: How Numbers Impact Our View of Athlete Physique
Summary: A new study confirms that football wide receivers wearing jersey numbers between 10 and 19 are perceived as slimmer than those wearing 80-89, even with identical body sizes. This…
A DNA leaf swab technique could revolutionize biodiversity monitoring
Just a few swabs from a handful of leaves can say a lot about what animals are roaming in the area. Two dozen leaf swabs from plants in Uganda’s Kibale…
Memory in Touch: Fingertips Recall Past Forces
Summary: Researchers have explored how a fingertip’s mechanical memory of prior forces influences tactile neuron activity. The study unveils the importance of fingertip viscoelasticity, where deformations last longer than the…
