Why Nature Prefers Couples, Even for Yeast
Some species have the equivalent of many more than two sexes, but most do not. A new model suggests the reason depends on how often they mate
Stories by Jordana Cepelewicz
The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism
A new theory may change the debate over evolution and self-interest among ants, bees and other social bugs
Life's First Molecule Was Protein, Not RNA, New Model Suggests
The findings add to the longstanding debate over which were the first self-replicating molecules
Our Ability to Keep 'em Guessing Peaks around Age 25
When it comes to abilities like outwitting foes, younger people are simply better at responding in novel situations
Body Odor Is Less Offensive from "One of Us"
Feelings of affiliation reduce disgust
How Your Brain Learns Physics
A new study shows the brain repurposes everyday neural networks to learn high-level scientific concepts
How a Messy Kitchen Might Ruin Your Diet
In a chaotic environment people who do not feel in control tend to overeat
Self-Focusing Eyeglasses Are in Development in Israel
A new type of lens adjusts its prescription according to where the user looks
Babies' Innate Sense of Color
Before learning language, infants distinguish between categories such as green and blue
Antimicrobial Mechanism Gone Rogue May Play a Role in Alzheimer's Disease
A new study finds that a key protein implicated in Alzheimer’s may normally protect the brain from infection
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Brain structure in emotion-regulation areas—and possibly the risk of mood disorders—is inherited down the female line
Lab Failures Turn to Gold in Search for New Materials
Data from failed experiments combines with machine learning to predict successful chemical reactions and form new hypotheses
"Hunger Hormone" May Drive Fat Storage, Not Appetite
A study in rats finds that increased sensitivity to ghrelin causes weight gain and increased body fat, but does not augment appetite
How Does a Mathematician's Brain Differ from That of a Mere Mortal?
Processing high-level math concepts uses the same neural networks as the basic math skills a child is born with
Hacking an Enzyme's Structure Could Lead to Drugs for Alzheimer's and Schizophrenia
The finding gives researchers insight into dopamine beta-hydroxylase, an enzyme that balances the activity of two key brain-signaling molecules
Bird Combines Calls in Specific Order
The Japanese great tit combines two calls in a specific order and does not respond to a recording of the calls combined in reverse order, apparently demonstrating compositional syntax.
New Clues Show Out-of-Control Synapse Pruning May Underlie Alzheimer's
A study in mice shows that the normal process by which the brain prunes excess synapses during development may be hijacked early on in the progression of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
A Hidden Factor in Stroke Severity: The Microbes in Your Gut
A new study in mice demonstrates that manipulating the microbiome can influence the extent of brain damage caused by a stroke
Inducing Deep Sleep after Head Injury May Protect the Brain
A new study in rats could one day benefit people suffering neurological conditions associated with the buildup of unwanted proteins in the brain, including traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s
Refugees Suffer a Higher Rate of Psychotic Disorders
A new study finds that refugees in Sweden have a higher risk than other immigrants there, although the precise reasons are unclear