Humans
- Brain
As teens gain weight, they find high-fat foods less pleasurable
Teens who gained excess weight showed less activity in the brain’s reward center when viewing or tasting foods with lots of fat.
- Life
Scientists Say: Nutrient
Nutrients provide living things, from bacteria to animals, with the energy and materials to grow. But too much of a nutrient can sometimes cause harm.
- Brain
Sleep may jumpstart the brain’s power washing system
Waves of fluid wash into the human brain during sleep. That’s good. They just may help clean out toxic proteins.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Papillae
These small nubs stick out from a body part. They include things such as tongue bumps with taste buds and the structures under the skin that help grow hair.
- Health & Medicine
Health risks are scaring some teen vapers into considering quitting
As teens learn of serious — and sometimes lethal — risks associated with vaping, many are looking to quit their e-cig use. The challenge is finding groups able to help them.
- Planets
Does the moon influence people?
Unless you believe in werewolves (and you shouldn’t), there are few compelling data to suggest the moon has a big effect on people.
- Health & Medicine
The science of ghosts
One in five Americans say they’ve encountered a ghost. But science has no evidence that ghosts are real. Here are more likely explanations.
- Tech
Graphene fabric keeps mosquitoes from biting
Graphene is a super-thin material with many cool uses. The latest: protection against mosquito bites by embedding it in your clothing.
- Health & Medicine
Could disabling one protein cure the common cold?
Cold viruses — and there are many — seem to need this human molecule to spread.
- Genetics
Explainer: How DNA testing works
Lots of companies will now test DNA from people and their pets. How do these gene-sequencing techniques work? We explain.
- Brain
Slower brain development ups a teen’s risk of getting into a car accident
Lack of driving experience isn't the only factor in whether a teen gets into a car crash. Crash risk in young drivers is also related to development of their brains’ working memory.
- Earth
Air pollution intensifies a teen’s feeling of stress
Living where the air is dirty may make tough situations even more stressful — especially for teens suffering from anxiety or depression.
