Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Here’s why COVID-19 isn’t seasonal so far
Human immunity and behavior may be more important than weather for driving seasonality when it comes to COVID-19.
- Climate
Cold, dry snaps accompanied three plagues that struck the Roman Empire
New climate data for ancient Italy point to temperature and rainfall influences on past infectious disease outbreaks.
- Animals
What parrots can teach us about human intelligence
By studying the brains and behaviors of parrots, scientists hope to learn more about how humanlike intelligence evolves.
- Health & Medicine
Is aging without illness possible?
Researchers are harnessing basic biology to develop drugs that foster healthy aging. Just don’t call them antiaging pills.
- Archaeology
An ancient, massive urban complex has been found in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Found by airborne laser scans, this settlement and others throughout Mesoamerica and the Amazon are shifting how archaeologists think about urbanism.
- Genetics
How ancient herders rewrote northern Europeans’ genetic story
New DNA analyses show the extent of the Yamnaya people’s genetic reach starting 5,000 years ago and how it made descendants prone to diseases like MS.
- Health & Medicine
The teen brain is especially susceptible to the harms of THC
Marijuana that’s higher in THC and concentrated cannabis products may pose even higher risks of addiction and psychosis.
- Anthropology
Ancient primates’ unchipped teeth hint that they ate mostly fruit
Of more than 400 teeth collected, just 21 were chipped, suggesting that early primate diets were soft on their choppers.
- Health & Medicine
Fetuses make a protein that causes morning sickness in pregnancy
A hormone called GDF15 triggers a part of the brain involved in nausea and vomiting, a new study finds. Blocking its action may lead to treatments.
- Science & Society
Most people say self-control is the same as willpower. Researchers disagree
Psychologists say self-control is about planning ahead to avoid relying on willpower in the moment. Laypeople see things differently.
- Health & Medicine
When it comes to physical activity, every bit counts
Biking to the store. Raking leaves. Playing with your kids. Scientists are getting a clearer picture of all the activities that offer health benefits.
- Psychology
Here’s how to give a good gift, according to science
Gifting researcher Julian Givi outlines common mistakes gift givers make and how science can help us avoid those costly errors.
