All Stories by Bethany Brookshire
- Health & Medicine
50 years ago, early organ transplants brought triumph and tragedy
In 1968, the liver transplant field had its first small successes. Now, more than 30,000 patients in the U.S. receive a donated liver each year.
- Science & Society
Wikipedia has become a science reference source even though scientists don’t cite it
Wikipedia is everyone’s go-to source. Even scientists. A new study shows how science on Wikipedia may end up forwarding science itself.
- Health & Medicine
50 years ago, IUDs were deemed safe and effective
50 year ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared intrauterine devices safe and effective, though officials didn’t know how the IUDs worked.
- Neuroscience
Even brain images can be biased
Brain scan studies that are drawn from rich and well-educated groups could lead to biased ideas of how our brains develop.
- Humans
50 years ago, folate deficiency was linked to birth defects
50 years ago, scientists found that a lack of folic acid in pregnant women could cause birth defects. But now, how much is too much?
- Neuroscience
The brain’s helper cells have a hand in learning fear
After a traumatic experience, rat brains release inflammatory signals that come from astrocytes, suggesting a new role for the brain’s “helper” cells.
- Psychology
Whether psychology research is improving depends on whom you ask
Psychologists are pessimistic about the state of their field but want to improve, a survey shows. But are new measures working?
- Tech
50 years ago, engineers tried catching commercial planes in nets
Fifty years ago, aviation experts tried helping commercial aircraft come to a stop during landing by catching them in massive nets. The idea crash-landed for commercial flights, but it’s still used in the military.
- Genetics
Two artificial sweeteners together take the bitter out of bittersweet
Some artificial sweeteners are well known for their bitter aftertastes. But saccharin and cyclamate are better together, and now scientists know why.
- Tech
50 years ago, West Germany embraced nuclear power
In 1967, Germany gave nuclear power a try. Today, the country is trading nukes for renewables.
- Animals
This sea snake looks like a banana and hunts like a Slinky
A newly identified sea snake subspecies is known to live in a single gulf off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
- Science & Society
On social media, privacy is no longer a personal choice
Data from the now-defunct social platform Friendster show that even people not on social media have predictable qualities.
