Stories by Nikhil Swaminathan

Monkey See, Monkey Don't: Learning from Others' Mistakes

We learn from our competitors' failures by not repeating them

Thunder, Lightning and... Snow

Scientists study winter storms involving thundersnow to pinpoint where heavy snowfalls may occur

Hormonal Help for Autism: A Dose of Oxytocin

Taking oxytocin boosts social skills in people with the asocial disorder

What is a megamouth shark? Is it still a scientific mystery?

Filipino fisherman got more than they bargained for last week when they pulled up their nets: an extremely rare, humongous fish

Avoiding Sugar Key to Ending Senior Moments

Lowering blood sugar levels may thwart forgetfulness

Natural Born Automatons: Next-Gen Robots Take Cues from Biology

How a new generation of robots is taking its inspiration from the natural world (and helping biologists learn more about it)

Thunder, Lighting and... Snow

Scientists study winter storms involving thundersnow to pinpoint where heavy snowfalls may occur

Updates: Whatever Happened to Virus-Built Batteries?

Also Updates on brown fat, diabetes and methane from grass

Brain-Scan Cell Mystery Solved

Scientists unmask cells that make functional MRI possible

Brain-Scan Mystery Solved

Scientists unmask cells that make functional MRI possible

Why is melamine in baby formula, your food -- and your pets' meals?

Where Do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Environment and Energy?

From drilling for oil to climate change, the answers may surprise you

Too Good to Be True?: Fat That Keeps You Thin

Probably, but a hormone that controls how the body stores fats may keep diabetes and other metabolic disorders in check

Again with the melamine? Tainted baby formula kills three, sickens 6,000-plus children in China

Chinese state television reported yesterday that an industrial contaminant was found in samples from more than 20 companies that manufacture baby milk powder.

Can Stem Cells Block Stroke Damage? Yes, but in a Surprising Way

Instead of generating new cells as expected, they cause adult cells to protect vulnerable nerve tissue from inflammation

New Study: Measles Vaccine Doesn't Cause Autism

Researchers hope finding will encourage parents to vaccinate children

XXX-Files! Agent Mulder can't get enough

Actor David Duchovny, best known for his role as Fox Mulder on the FOX TV series The X-Files and its related movies, checked himself into a rehab facility for sex addiction, according to news reports and a statement released by his lawyer yesterday...

Biden brings focus on energy policy to Democratic ticket

By picking Joe Biden as a running mate, Barack Obama may have reassured the electorate about his lack of experience and foreign policy bona fides, according to some pundits.

Could We Lose Weight by Injecting Fat into Our Bellies?

Perhaps, as long as you use the "good" kind of fat, according to two new studies

What is a brain aneurysm?

Yesterday, Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died suddenly from excessive bleeding caused by a brain aneurysm. Neurologist Sean Savitz explains what killed Tubbs Jones.