The Science of Love

What is the environmental impact of all those flowers given on Valentine's Day?

Attempting to make greenhouses more environmentally friendly by cutting down on their energy use

How do we fool thee? Let us count the ways--that illusions play with our hearts and minds

Do you like the scent of your Valentine? The Journal of Neuroscience reports that certain regions in women's brains are activated when they smell "sexual sweat." Christie Nicholson reports

A built-in aversion to attractive members of the opposite sex may help cement monogamous relationships

Psychological impacts of long-term separation anxiety

A classic study reveals that young homophobic men have secret gay urges

The penile condition recently featured on the TV medical drama Grey's Anatomy is real and, sorry guys (and girls), not uncommon

A recent analysis of survey responses shows who's cheating: Women, young couples and the over-60 crowd are closing the infidelity gap. Rachel Mahan reports

There is an environmental price for our love of chocolate on Halloween, but it may not be what you think

Watching women in bikinis tends to make men more impulsive when it comes to monetary decisions. Christie Nicholson reports.

Researchers are revealing hidden complexities behind the simple act of kissing, which relays powerful messages to your brain, body and partner

In this episode, ethnobotanist Nat Bletter talks about his field and his recent article about the new plant family Simulacraceae--the phony plants. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites related to this episode include www.audible.com/sciencetalk; www.simulacraceae.org; www.tinyurl.com/2gqgnb; www.tinyurl.com/2obv6k

The same brain chemicals involved in the pleasure gotten from eating are triggered by sex and drugs.