Humans
- Genetics
For some kids, their rock-star hair comes naturally
A variant of a gene involved in hair-shaft formation was linked to most of the uncombable-hair-syndrome cases analyzed in a recent study.
- Health & Medicine
Examining Neandertal and Denisovan DNA wins a 2022 Nobel Prize
Svante Pääbo figured out how to examine the genetic material from these hominid ‘cousins’ of modern humans.
- Archaeology
Rats can chronicle human history
Rats have lived alongside people for thousands of years. Now, scientists can study the rats and their leavings to learn more about ourselves.
- Health & Medicine
Dogs and other animals could aid the spread of monkeypox
Now that monkeypox has spread to a dog, researchers fear other species could help the virus become widespread outside of Africa for the first time.
- Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is mpox (formerly monkeypox)?
Once rare, the viral disease monkeypox exploded onto the global scene for the first time in 2022.
- Psychology
Persuasion can be used to change hearts and minds
Persuasion can be used for good — or ill — to change how people feel. To protect yourself against undue persuasion, pay attention.
- Chemistry
Recipes for modern beauty products aren’t so modern after all
An art historian has combined forces with chemists to uncover the science behind cosmetics used about 500 years ago.
- Tech
New stick-on ‘sonar’ device lets you watch your own heart beat
This wearable patch might one day make personalized medicine affordable almost anywhere in the world.
- Climate
Heat waves appear more life-threatening than scientists once thought
This is bad news as a warming planet leads to growing numbers of excessive heat waves — and millions more people facing potentially deadly temperatures.
- Health & Medicine
Wildfire smoke seems to pose its biggest health risk to kids
New studies, some of them in young monkeys, point to vulnerabilities affecting kids' airways, brains and immune systems.
- Environment
Western wildfire smoke poses health risks from coast to coast
As wildfires become more common, their hazardous smoke is sending East Coast residents — especially children — to emergency rooms.
- Life
Your face is mighty mite-y. And that’s a good thing
Tiny face mites live in our pores, getting food and shelter in return for eating our skin waste. A new study shows they can’t live without us.
