Stories by Melinda Wenner

Compounds that enhance the sweet and salty flavors of foods could combat obesity and heart disease

A drug that blocks a stress mechanism in the brain diminishes alcohol urges

New studies reveal how cells exploit biochemical randomness

The body and its intestinal flora produce chemicals with hidden health information, Jeremy Nicholson has found. Someday treating disease may mean treating those bacteria

The body and its intestinal flora produce all sorts of chemicals that hold clues about a person's health. Jeremy Nicholson is deciphering the signals, which could lead to new kinds of medicines

How one of the best known actresses of mid-20th century revolutionized weapons systems and helped create cell phones

Could mom's overzealous immune system put her child at risk?

More signs that insulin ills set off neurodegenerative conditions

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

A new play by A. Rey Pamatmat explores the mathematician's complexity

Reviews and recommendations from the April/May 2008 issue of Scientific American MIND

Viruses or bacteria may be at the root of schizophrenia and other disorders

More kids, less cancer: Huntington's may confer survival benefits

Reward areas in the brain are tied to orgasm quality

New developments and clinical trials breathe life back into gene therapy

If at first you don't succeed, quit—for your future health

You are more bacteria than you are you, according to the latest body census

Liability fears trump science for ulcer-beating injectable silicone

Forgetting is a vital brain function

Birth order affects our personality and health

Pets may or may not help fend off developing allergies but they will help keep the house from being antiseptically clean.

An oft-heard opinion seems popular even if it comes from only one person

Amyloid diseases share the same molecular substructure