Oenophiles Confirm Fruity Flavors Finish First
Wine researchers find that fruity flavors tend to finish quickest on the palate, whereas oaky flavors linger longer--as aficionados have long claimed. Christopher Intagliata reports
Stories by Christopher Intagliata
Smartphones Vulnerable to App Attack
Certain HTML5 apps that run across platforms can carry JavaScript attack codes that your smartphone will happily execute. Christopher Intagliata reports
Hand Soap Ingredient Can Up Body Bacteria Burden
Residues of the antimicrobial agent triclosan can paradoxically boost bacterial growth in our bodies, by giving microbes a comfortable biofilm in which to rest. Christopher Intagliata reports
Health Insurance Mystifies Many Americans
A survey finds that sizeable percentages of Americans don't know how health insurance works and what various options mean. Christopher Intagliata reports
Muscle Mass Beats BMI as Longevity Predictor
A long-term study of more than 3,600 seniors found that more muscle mass was a better predictor of survival than was moderate body mass index. Christopher Intagliata reports
Pain Pills May Be Future Antibiotics
By interfering with bacterial DNA repair and reproduction, some NSAID pain drugs could find future use as antibiotics. Christopher Intagliata reports
1,000-Year-Old Teeth Reveal Diet and Disease
The plaque on millennium-old teeth from a German cemetery contain the residue of pork, cabbage and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Christopher Intagliata reports
Looking Good Trumps Health as Behavioral Motivator
Teenagers who watched videos about skin damage from sun exposure used sunscreen far more than those who saw info about sun-caused skin cancer. Christopher Intagliata reports
Oregano Oil Kills Norovirus—but Not Enough
Oregano oil cut numbers of the mouse version of norovirus 10-fold. Its active ingredient was better: a 10,000-fold reduction. But bleach achieves a million-fold reduction. Christopher Intagliata reports
Shivering Activates Fat to Keep You Warm
Shivering does more than contract muscles to produce warmth—it also activates brown fat to convert chemical energy directly to heat. Christopher Intagliata reports
Crack Researchers Create Gutsier Glass
Glass with imperceptible built-in cracks is stronger than conventional glass, because the cracks dissipate flexing forces. More durable phone screens could result. Christopher Intagliata reports
Treating Flu Symptoms May Create More Cases
Medicines that cut fever and pain help viruses replicate and send infectious people out into the world, at a possible cost of an additional thousand U.S. flu deaths a year
Clothing Fabric Could Contain Gadget Batteries
Researchers have built a battery from a conductive, nickel-coated polyester fabric, so that your phone battery could be sewn into your shirt. Christopher Intagliata reports
Neuroscientists Take Important Step toward Mind Reading
A new computer algorithm can guess what you are looking at based on brain activity alone
SciAm Mind Calendar: June/July 2008
The summer's best brain-related exhibitions, movies, conferences and more.
Quieting the Brain
Aiming at tinnitus's roots
MIND Reviews: June/July 2008
Reviews and recommendations from the June/July 2008 issue of Scientific American MIND
Dog Walking Irks Birds
A recent study says dogs should not be allowed near important bird habitats, leashed or not.
Competing Clocks
In timing a short event, your eyes may deceive your ears
