Language

The time needed for us to reach consensus on a color name falls into a hierarchy that matches the human vision system's sensitivity to red over blue, and so on

Researchers test the idea that we hunt for memories in our minds the same way some animals search for food

The federal government should fix or drop new regulations that throttle scientific study of America's heritage

Some languages sound faster than others, but most convey information at the same rate

Tonal relationships that express emotions in classical South Indian music are similar to ones used in Western music, and both mimic vocalizations. Cynthia Graber reports

M.I.T. scientist Sebastian Seung describes the audacious plan to find the connectome--a map of every single neuron in the brain. Here, he says, is the secret of human identity

When our body needs something, like food, the brain tends to open a fast track for perceiving that specific thing. Christie Nicholson reports

Innovation and discovery as chronicled in past issues of Scientific American

Problems with focus and self-understanding are linked to eating disorders

Your senses bridge the boundary between you and the world