Feb. 27, 2013
Let's Make a Deal
by Sam Flatow
A recent study suggests that chimps have a concept of fairness.
Jan. 17, 2013
A Spider Charade
by Sam Flatow
The octopus may be the king of camouflage, but if there’s an animal whose name is synonymous with deception, it’s the spider.
Dec. 19, 2012
A Downward Sparrow
by Sam Flatow
Sparrows and finches in Mexico City are lining their nests with the guts of used cigarette filters. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad someone is cleaning up, but who uses a stranger’s cigarette butt for housing?
Oct. 03, 2012
Roundup the Goats
by Sam Flatow
Ok, everyone’s thinking the same thing, so I’m just gonna put it out there already: All the good jobs are taken by goats.
Jul. 23, 2012
Science Throughout History in "Civilization 5"
by Sam Flatow
The videogame is a unique medium -- unlike other forms of narrative, it can change. When you read a book or watch a movie about history, you'll hear how Egypt built the pyramids, England and France warred for a century, and Tesla invented alternating current (if he gets any credit at all). Interesting? Sure, the first time you hear it. But history is a lot more interesting when you can change it.
Jun. 07, 2012
And You Thought Pigeons Were Bad
by Sam Flatow
New Delhi has a rhesus problem.
Jan. 27, 2012
William Gibson Looks Both Ways
by Sam Flatow
“My first impulse, when presented with any spanking-new piece of computer hardware, is to imagine how it will look in ten years’ time, gathering dust under a card table in a thrift shop.” –From Distrust that Particular Favor by William Gibson (Putnam, 2012).
Mar. 05, 2012
Bad Breath for Good Health
by Sam Flatow
Scientists have discovered the strangest aspect of stem cells. Not the most useful, not the most amazing, but – while it may be both of those – it’s probably the weirdest. As it turns out, stinky breath may be bad … Continue reading →
Feb. 01, 2012
Cool Medicine
by Sam Flatow
As a fan of exotic medical treatments, I thought it might be a good idea to cover something a little more tasteful than maggots this time. Instead, I present the underutilized field of therapeutic hypothermia. As the name suggests, therapeutic … Continue reading →
Dec. 23, 2011
It Don’t Bug Me
by Sam Flatow
Kids these days are crazy about “vintage.” “Vintage” 8 tracks, “vintage” t-shirts, “vintage” mayonnaise – if it’s old, they love it. And half the stuff is awful. A typewriter? You think a typewriter’s cool? I used a typewriter when I … Continue reading →
Dec. 15, 2011
If You Give a Mouse a Beer
by Sam Flatow
If you give a mouse a beer, he’ll decline and ask for water. Why? Probably because when you have to support such a large family, you just don’t have the time or money to spare on booze. But don’t worry, … Continue reading →
Dec. 13, 2011
Egg Counting
by Sam Flatow
I’m starting to believe that birds in general are jerks. I can understand why. Think about it, your ancestors are dinosaurs, some of the biggest, meanest monsters ever, and you’re stuck as a pelican. No Mr. Pelican, I won’t make … Continue reading →
Oct. 28, 2011
Amoebas of Unusual Size
by Sam Flatow
Look at your palm – just take a quick glance down at your open hand. Got it? That’s smaller than some of the amoebas found 6.6 miles down in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean. If you … Continue reading →
Oct. 25, 2011
Why Names Matter
by Sam Flatow
Ok scientists, huddle up. You guys are doing great out there: Higgs bosons, stem cells, iPhones – it’s all good stuff. I’m sure the jet packs are coming soon. But there’s something you need to start taking seriously – names. … Continue reading →
Oct. 06, 2011
Knightly Exploring
by Sam Flatow
Underground acid-slime changed my life. Ok, maybe it isn’t that dramatic. After watching the caves episode of Planet Earth (which featured living acid-slime), I remarked to a friend how great a show it was. His response? “It’s too bad we … Continue reading →
Oct. 03, 2011
Westasaurus Story
by Sam Flatow
The great thing about science is that no matter how old something is, there’s always something new to learn about it. For example, dinosaurs. Recently, a new member of the raptor family called Talos has been discovered, and the fossil … Continue reading →
Sep. 21, 2011
Look On My Works, ye Parents, and Despair!
by Sam Flatow
“Some of the best known brands in America have arsenic in their applejuice!” PANIC!! Ok, stop panicking. Dr. Oz is here to save you from the FDA and horrible juice conspirators. He tested several brands of apple juice and found … Continue reading →
Sep. 15, 2011
Collateral Satellite Damage
by Sam Flatow
A word on school-bus sized objects falling from the sky: Somewhere in the world, a US satellite is going to crash into the Earth. Where is it going to land? Between 57 degrees north and 57 degrees south, which is … Continue reading →
Sep. 13, 2011
It’s a Dirty Job, But Someone’s Gotta Poop It
by Sam Flatow
Pandas are lazy. Don’t get angry at me, I don’t make up the rules to this crazy game called Life, nobody does. Not even pandas – they’re too lazy. They’re SO lazy they don’t even hibernate. They don’t have dens! … Continue reading →
Sep. 07, 2011
How They Really Name Stuff
by Sam Flatow
It’s common knowledge that disturbing mummies means curses – pharaohs are just cranky and have a hard time getting back to sleep. It’s not like they can take some melatonin, their entire digestive track could be sealed in a jar. … Continue reading →
Aug. 31, 2011
Robonaut Triumphant
by Sam Flatow
I’ve got some bad news and some good news and some bad news. Bad: A Russian supply ship bound for the International Space Station (ISS) has crashed into Siberia. Good: Ship was unmanned, nobody got hurt. Bad: The part of … Continue reading →
Aug. 23, 2011
Foiled Again!
by Sam Flatow
Centuries from now, there will be a debate. There will be calculations, analyses, flow charts, estimations, discussions, instability, arguments, altercations, insanity, violence and death. When the last man on earth gasps that final breath of tainted air through a broken … Continue reading →
Aug. 17, 2011
BART!
by Sam Flatow
If you hadn’t already heard, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) shut down underground mobile service for 3 hours to successfully stop a protest. But first, a disclaimer: this article is about the protest, not the issue protested. 1. The … Continue reading →
Aug. 11, 2011
8 Feet of Justice
by Sam Flatow
With the recent surge of cephalopod popularity, I must advocate for one of the most widely recognized yet underappreciated of the family. If you aren’t responsible for one of the nearly 150,000 different views of last week’s “Where’s the Octopus?”, … Continue reading →
May. 09, 2011
Old Laws vs. New Science
by Sam Flatow
As it turns out, the stem cell debate isn’t unique to America. In 2004, Greenpeace (yes, that Greenpeace) challenged an existing patent for a technique to create neural precursor cells from human embryonic stem cells. The organization’s objection was to the source of the stem cells, human embryos. They claimed that this patent would create an “embryo industry,” which would violate a law that prohibits patents concerning the “uses of human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes.” The case is still slogging through the European court system 7 years later. Continue reading →
Apr. 18, 2011
My First iPad 2
by Sam Flatow
What were you doing at the age of five? If you were anything like me, there is a good chance that you were sword dueling with sticks, climbing trees, falling out of trees, throwing berries at parked cars, and running … Continue reading →
Mar. 23, 2011
The Fall of the Peanut
by Sam Flatow
I speak to you now of a threat that was once a boon. I speak to you now of one of humanity’s oldest allies — that now turns on us from within. I speak to you now of peanuts. “Peanuts?” … Continue reading →
Mar. 14, 2011
Proof of my Unending Loyalty
by Sam Flatow
Oh Glorious Robot Overlords of the Future, Let it be known that I have welcomed your coming since news first reached me of your bold ancestors’ ability to learn, not from humans, but from other robots. When Roboearth became the … Continue reading →
Mar. 11, 2011
Brazil: Land of the Zombie Ants
by Sam Flatow
The dead walk. Well, they aren’t really dead. By definition, anything that is walking around and can reproduce (in this case by infection) can’t be classified as entirely dead. But that’s not the point. The point is, zombies are real. … Continue reading →
Mar. 04, 2011
Uncertain Politics and Uneasy Scientists
by Sam Flatow
Stem cells are the penicillin of the 21st century, as difficult to distinguish from magic as helping the lame walk–which may in fact be one of their many uses. But the research itself has been hindered by politics. Funding has … Continue reading →
Feb. 23, 2011
Superscience For Supersolids
by Sam Flatow
There is new research suggesting that supersolids exist. No, I didn’t know what a supersolid was either, and neither did anyone else I asked. Apparently, a supersolid is a new state of matter with its own set of rules, combining … Continue reading →
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