Gory Details
The bizarre side of science
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Science & Society
In a nuclear attack, there’s no avoiding the brutal math
Knowing a few key numbers could help save your life if a nuclear bomb drops.
- Animals
Animals were the original twerkers
From black widow spiders to birds and bees, shaking that booty goes way back.
- Psychology
The most (and least) realistic movie psychopaths ever
A forensic psychologist spent three years watching 400 movies to trace portrayals of psychopaths.
- Ecosystems
New Yorkers should relax about new roach species
Japanese roaches may be able to survive in the cold, but the added competition and their decreased allergic potential may mean the roaches’ arrival isn’t all bad.
- Animals
A gory 12 days of Christmas
Insects and spiders are among the biggest gift-givers, often as part of mating, and anything from cyanide to a wad of saliva can be a present.
- Ecosystems
Cannibalistic mantis invades New Zealand, eats natives
Native male New Zealand mantises try to mate with females of an invasive species, only to find out the hard way that those females eat their mates.
- Psychology
Almost-lifelike hands perceived as creepy
Devices have to be very realistic to the escape uncanny valley of eeriness.
- Chemistry
Why death smells so deadly
Pinning down animals' odor detectors gives researchers a way to study aversion or attraction to certain objects. And understanding how these behavioral responses work will help researchers clarify why humans feel disgust.
- Life
Getting to know the real living dead
A look at the bacteria inside bloated cadavers finds the dead are teeming with life.
- Psychology
Maybe mean girls’ mental games have a purpose
Science is just beginning to tap the wellspring of female competition.
- Life
The reason to avoid poop coffee isn’t what you think
Beans from civet feces have become so popular that abuse and fraud are common.
- Anthropology
Neandertals ate stomach goop, and you can too
Eating partially digested stomach contents, or chyme, has long been a nutritional boost.
