Animals
Male Monkeys Have More Sex with Other Males Than with Females in This Well-Studied Group
Does the prevalence of same-sex encounters in a group of Puerto Rican monkeys enhance their ability to pass along their genes?
Stories by Emily Willingham
Psychology
Teenagers Skeptical of Social Media Have a Lower Risk of Eating Disorders
Young people can counter social media messaging that promotes thinness by bringing a skeptical take to their viewing habits
Sleep
Sleep Deprivation Sometimes Relieves Depression. A New Study May Show Why
Understanding why going without sleep eases depression in some people may lead to less taxing methods to boost mood
Fitness
Can You Change Your Metabolism?
Though you might not be able to significantly rev up your metabolism, there are ways to boost the energy your body burns while doing nothing
Biotech
Ultrasound Puts Animals into a Curious Hibernation-Like State
A state of torpor might rescue oxygen-starved brain cells or aid extended human space missions
Artificial Intelligence
AI’s Victories in Go Inspire Better Human Game Playing
Famed AI wins in Go let human players rethink their moves in a whole new way
Language
The Linguistics of Swearing Explain Why We Substitute Darn for Damn
Languages from Hindi to Korean tone down swear words by inserting gentler consonants into speech. Here’s how “Let’s go Brandon” got started
Politics
How to Inoculate against Midterm Misinformation Campaigns
A New York University professor advocates “prebunking”—sounding the alarm before a conspiracy theory spreads too widely
Mental Health
How Hurricanes Batter Mental Health
Hurricanes and other disasters exact a mental health toll that can persist without strong communities and support networks
Public Health
Everything You Need to Know about Polio in the U.S.
People fully vaccinated against polio have little to fear
Animals
How Facebook Is Saving Snakes
Snake-identification groups on social media are turning serpent haters into appreciators
Diet
Some Sugar Substitutes Affect Blood Glucose and Gut Bacteria
In an August 2022 study, participants who consumed sugar substitutes showed an altered microbiome and spikes in blood glucose
Psychology
When Students Acquire Spatial Skills, Their Verbal Abilities Get a Boost
Learning to visualize objects might improve thinking in words, a finding that could enhance teaching methods
Behavior
Forensic Experts Are Surprisingly Good at Telling whether Two Writing Samples Match
A study to counter the lack of evidence for handwriting analysis shows it is effective if an examiner has the right training
Policy
Sending Health Care Workers instead of Cops Can Reduce Crime
A study shows that first responders who are not police can be more effective for low-level incidents
Inequality
People Think Minority Groups Are Bigger Than They Really Are
Overestimating minority populations can lead to reduced support for diversity and inclusion programs
Inequality
U.S. Records Reveal Bias against Muslim and Black Citizenship Applicants
The likelihood of attending a naturalization ceremony is lower for Black people, men and people from Muslim-majority countries
Artificial Intelligence
Humans Find AI-Generated Faces More Trustworthy Than the Real Thing
Viewers struggle to distinguish images of sophisticated machine-generated faces from actual humans
Sexuality
People Have Been Having Less Sex—whether They’re Teenagers or 40-Somethings
Among the young, social media, gaming and “rough sex” may contribute to this trend
Behavior
This Protein Could Boost Brain Function without Exercise
An exercise pill might one day produce health gains without the exertional pain
