Gory Details

The bizarre side of science

  1. 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.

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  2. Animals

    Animals were the original twerkers

    From black widow spiders to birds and bees, shaking that booty goes way back.

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  3. Psychology

    The most (and least) realistic movie psychopaths ever

    A forensic psychologist spent three years watching 400 movies to trace portrayals of psychopaths.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. Psychology

    Almost-lifelike hands perceived as creepy

    Devices have to be very realistic to the escape uncanny valley of eeriness.

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  8. 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.

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  9. Life

    Getting to know the real living dead

    A look at the bacteria inside bloated cadavers finds the dead are teeming with life.

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  10. Psychology

    Maybe mean girls’ mental games have a purpose

    Science is just beginning to tap the wellspring of female competition.

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  11. 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.

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  12. Anthropology

    Neandertals ate stomach goop, and you can too

    Eating partially digested stomach contents, or chyme, has long been a nutritional boost.

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