Stories by Christopher Intagliata

The bacteria found on someone's mobile phone is a good match for the most common kinds of bacteria that live on their hands. Christopher Intagliata reports

 

Wild beluga whales were found to have hearing comparable with whales in captivity, which sets up a baseline test for hearing damage in other whales in noisy waters. Christopher Intagliata reports

 

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

 

Certain HTML5 apps that run across platforms can carry JavaScript attack codes that your smartphone will happily execute. Christopher Intagliata reports

 

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

 

Carcinogens that form when grilling meat were lowered up to 50 percent in pork chops marinated in beer versus those left unmarinated. Christopher Intagliata reports

 

A survey finds that sizeable percentages of Americans don't know how health insurance works and what various options mean. Christopher Intagliata reports

 

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

 

By interfering with bacterial DNA repair and reproduction, some NSAID pain drugs could find future use as antibiotics. Christopher Intagliata reports 

 

The plaque on millennium-old teeth from a German cemetery contain the residue of pork, cabbage and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Christopher Intagliata reports

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 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 does more than contract muscles to produce warmth—it also activates brown fat to convert chemical energy directly to heat. Christopher Intagliata reports

 

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

 

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

 

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

Reviews and recommendations from the June/July 2008 issue of Scientific American MIND

Aiming at tinnitus's roots

The summer's best brain-related exhibitions, movies, conferences and more.

A new computer algorithm can guess what you are looking at based on brain activity alone

A recent study says dogs should not be allowed near important bird habitats, leashed or not.

In timing a short event, your eyes may deceive your ears