All Stories by Kathryn Hulick
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Tech
Wired and weird: Meet the cyborg plants
By mixing electronics with greenery, engineers have made plants that conduct electricity, detect bombs and send email.
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Health & Medicine
Could toothpaste give heart disease the brush-off?
Brushing with a toothpaste that dyes plaque green encourages people to remove more of it. This also lowered inflammation, which may cut someone’s risk of heart disease.
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Health & Medicine
Zombies are real!
Some parasites worm their way into other creatures’ brains and alter their victims’ behavior. Meet zombie ants, spiders, cockroaches, fish and more.
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Brain
Cool Jobs: Video game creators
Meet an engineer who worked on StarCraft II, an expert building a new kind of reality and a neuroscientist who uses games as brain therapy.
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Tech
One day, computers may decode your dreams
Scientists are learning how to translate brain activity into words and thoughts. This may one day allow people to control devices with their minds.
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Brain
Explainer: How to read brain activity
Electricity underlies the chattering of brain cells. Here’s how scientists eavesdrop on those conversations.
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Health & Medicine
The cool science of hot peppers
Why are chili peppers spicy? Why does anyone crave food that burns? Uncovering this fiery veggie’s secrets could help fight pain and obesity.
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Health & Medicine
Newly discovered microbe keeps teeth healthy
A newfound bacterium halts the tooth erosion that leads to cavities. This germ or one like it might one day be added to toothpaste or mouthwash.
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Microbes
Microbes mine treasure from waste
Like miniature factories, bioreactors house microbes recruited to chew through wastes to clean dirty water, make chemicals or generate electricity.
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Health & Medicine
From zits to warts: Which disturb people most?
In a recent study, people rated acne as one of the most upsetting skin conditions. Many believed myths and misconceptions about zits.
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Health & Medicine
Teens eating better but gaining weight
From 1999 through 2012, teens got heavier. But by downing less sugar and eating more healthy fats, their bodies also showed signs that these teens were somewhat healthier.
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Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is metabolic syndrome?
A “couch potato” lifestyle of too much sugary, fatty food and too little exercise leads to health problems. This is known as metabolic syndrome.