Desktop Diaries: Oliver Sacks
Writer and neurologist Oliver Sacks explains what his desk means to him. From lumps of metal to lemurs, Sacks describes some of his treasures.
Scared to Death… Literally
An earthquake, terrorist attack, or even a hole-in-one can cause a heart-stopping surge of adrenaline.
Plunging Into the Science of BASE Jumping
The physics and neuroscience of jumping off cliffs.
Plunge Into the Science of BASE Jumping
BASE stands for the objects the practitioners of the sport jump from: buildings, antennas, spans, earth. Wingsuits are sometimes involved; parachutes, always.
Enter an Optical Illusion
Gravity doesn’t behave as expected in a new art exhibition in New York City.
From Stem Cells to Eggs (and Beyond)
Stem cells can be turned into heart, liver, and brain cells—but what about a whole new organism? A study in Science explains the transformation from stem cell to egg to mouse pup.
What Your Genes Can Tell You About Your Memory
Researchers are studying how gene regulation influences memory.
Can Government Bans Tackle Obesity?
Experts debate whether government regulations are an effective way to fight the obesity epidemic.
Detecting the ‘Artful Dodge’
How likely are voters to notice when a politician dodges a question? Not very, says one study.
Seeing Through the Smoke—The Secrets in a Cigarette
Many cigarettes are only two-thirds tobacco, and contain hundreds of additives, such as antifreeze, cocoa shells, and liquorice.