Ideas / Findings
Hot Soil and Ancient Beasts
Findings Log / by / March 29, 2010
In this week’s Findings Log, we take a look at new research on body cues and abstract thought, warming soils, what roamed Earth before T-Rex, and more.
Now In Findings
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Toxic House Cats?
Up to half of all humans are infected by a cat-borne parasite that can cause stillbirth, brain damage, and a host of other subtle neurological effects. Is vaccination the solution?
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Death for “Arsenic-Based Life”?
A hotly anticipated announcement last week from NASA that scientists had discovered an exotic form of life ended up revealing more about science journalism than astrobiology.
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The Human Animal
The special bond that often forms between people and both domesticated and wild animals may be, paradoxically, part of what makes us human.
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All-Natural, All-Toxic
Scientists are beginning to understand the surprising evolutionary mechanisms that allow poisonous creatures to evolve and flourish.
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The Second-Place Sex
Why chess may be an ideal laboratory for investigating gender gaps in science and beyond.
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Redefining “Mental Illness”
As consensus emerges on the physical basis of mental illness, the mental-health community is fracturing over what, exactly, constitutes “mental illness” in the first place.
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Agriculture in the Wild
Humans aren’t the only creatures that grow their own food. Leaf-cutter ants, trees, and even protists do it too.
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Good Placebos Gone Bad
Placebos are supposed to be inert controls, designed to prove a drug’s efficacy. Consequently, placebo composition is rarely documented in drug trials. Is this dangerous?
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Do Smoking Bans Work?
Municipal bans on smoking in restaurants and bars are highly controversial, but history shows they can also be highly effective. But are all smoking bans equally successful?
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What Really Causes Autism?
Scientists are finally beginning to make headway understanding the real causes of autism. Yet millions remain unconvinced by the evidence. Why?
Research Blogging
Wild Animal Sex
New research in birds, reptiles, and insects is redefining “normal” sexual behavior, revealing that gender-bending, promiscuous, and dangerous sex isn’t limited to humans.
Research Blogging
Five Centuries of Influenza
Historical records show that flu pandemics have been occurring for at least 500 years. Researchers are now studying these historical pandemics to help prevent future disease.
Research Blogging
The Revenge of Comic Sans
New research suggests that less-legible, less-elegant fonts might actually promote better recall of information. Dave Munger examines the evidence.
Research Blogging
The Power of the People
Dave Munger test-drives two newly unveiled tools for understanding vast sets of cultural and scientific data.
Now on SEEDMAGAZINE.COM
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Ideas
I Tried Almost Everything Else
John Rinn, snowboarder, skateboarder, and “genomic origamist,” on why we should dumpster-dive in our genomes and the inspiration of a middle-distance runner.
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Ideas
Going, Going, Gone
The second most common element in the universe is increasingly rare on Earth—except, for now, in America.
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Ideas
Earth-like Planets Aren’t Rare
Renowned planetary scientist James Kasting on the odds of finding another Earth-like planet and the power of science fiction.
