Biology
Noisy Cicadas Are Widely Misunderstood
The insects emerge only every 13 or 17 years, right? Not so
Stories by Knvul Sheikh
Neuroscience
Creative Types Reserve a Special Corner of the Brain for Dreaming Big
Artists, novelists, actors and directors excel at tapping into “imagination” circuits
Biotech
A Better Pill—Internal Delivery Devices May Help Patients Take Their Medicine
A tortoise and a puffer fish inspire technology to overcome the multibillion-dollar nonadherence problem
Neuroscience
How We Save Face—Researchers Crack the Brain's Facial-Recognition Code
A Caltech team has deciphered the way we identify faces, re-creating what the brain sees from its electrical activity
Mental Health
Brain’s Dumped DNA May Lead to Stress, Depression
New research suggests genetic material from the mitochondria can trigger an immune response throughout the body
Biology
Nature-Inspired Antifreeze Molecules Could Keep Organs Fresh Longer
Compounds that resemble Arctic fish proteins prevent harmful ice crystals from forming
Biology
Microbes Could Recycle Astronauts’ Waste to Make Nutrients and Tools
Microbes could turn astronauts’ waste into nutrients or plastic
Cognition
Do You Hear What I Hear? Auditory Hallucinations Yield Clues to Perception
Psychics and psychosis sufferers alike hold beliefs that may predispose them to hearing voices
Conservation
Small Steps to Save Energy Exhaust Political Will for Bigger Actions
A study in Japan finds that after people unplug appliances and turn down the A-C, they are more resistant to nationwide climate change measures
Cognition
How We Save Face--Researchers Crack the Brain's Facial-Recognition Code
A Caltech team has deciphered the way we identify faces, re-creating what the brain sees from its electrical activity
Biology
Brood Awakening: 17-Year Cicadas Emerge 4 Years Early
Scientists search for the mysterious cause, as millions of hatching bugs loudly buzz the night away
Neuroscience
How Gut Bacteria Tell Their Hosts What to Eat
By suppressing or increasing cravings, microbes help the brain decide what foods the body “needs”
Neuroscience
Cell Therapy 2.0: Reprogramming the Brain’s Own Cells for Parkinson’s Treatment
In a major breakthrough researchers show it is possible to make dopamine cells from astrocytes, accelerating traditional stem cell procedures and improving disease symptoms
Behavior
Most Adults Spend More Time on Their Digital Devices Than They Think
To limit kids' screen time, try unplugging yourself
Cognition
“Super Agers” Have Brains That Look Young
Older adults who perform like young people on tests of memory have a shrink-resistant cortex
Culture
Inside the World of Competitive Rubik's Cube Solving
And more new books for November 2016
Electronics
Engineers Debut the Acoustic Prism
The device splits sounds without digital help
Fitness
The Breast Has Its Own Microbiome--and the Mix of Bacteria Could Prevent or Encourage Cancer
If certain bacteria do instigate cancer, the finding could lead to new screening methods or treatments
Engineering
New Robot Helps Babies with Cerebral Palsy Learn to Crawl
The infants crawl sooner and farther than they would on their own
Space & Physics
The Kilogram’s Makeover Is Almost Complete
It’s the last standard of measurement that is still based on a physical object—but it will soon be derived from a mathematical constant
