Gory Details

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.