Tabitha M. Powledge is a long-time science and medical journalist whose work has appeared all over the place, including Scientific American. She began writing On Science Blogs for the National Association of Science Writers in 2009. On Science Blogs moved recently to the PLOS Blog Network.
Time to stop fighting GMO labeling?
Why do people react so strongly against the idea of genetic modification? Especially genetic modification that crosses species barriers? In a recent New Yorker, Maria Konnikova returned to an explanation for these gut reactions that has been around at least since the early efforts at genetic engineering in the 1970s: The idea that fear and [...]
Who's Your Daddy? The Answer May Be at the Drugstore
Genetic testing is all the rage among genealogists and people looking for their blood relatives--but is it accurate?
The X Chromosome and the Case against Monogamy
New evidence shows that women pass along more genes to kids than men do—and that males historically fathered children with several women
The Dope on Dopamine's Central Role in the Brain's Motivation and Reward Networks
Researchers use two imaging methods to pinpoint dopamine as key chemical in human brain's pleasure and motivation circuits
Remember: Memory Record and Replay Handled by Same Cells
New research shows that the same neurons maintain memory-forming firing patterns for later recall
Study Shows Brain Power Can Be Bolstered--Maybe
New research shows that certain memory exercises can enhance intelligence
The Origin of Menopause: Why Do Women Outlive Fertility?
New research sheds light on why women survive for decades when females in many other species die after they lose the ability to reproduce.
Easing Hormone Anxiety
For women just past menopause, hormone pills seem safe
The 17-Year Itch
Brood X reappears, with clues to cicada behavior
Looking at ART
Is it time to scrutinize assisted reproduction?
Beating Abuse
Glutamate may hold a key to drug addiction
Tobacco Pharming
A quest to turn the killer crop into a treatment for cancer
Beyond the First Draft
Making the genome data useful may depend on the public project Ensemble