Surprising Science

A cave in France contains man’s earliest-known structures that had to be built by Neanderthals who were believed to be incapable of such things.

If free will doesn’t exist, is it healthier to believe it does? 

Advancements in stem cells, along with 3D printing technology, have applications in cosmetic safety testing, drug discovery and testing, organ and tissue printing, instant diagnosis and treatment, and so much more. Scientists recently found that baby teeth contain stem cells which can soon be used in these healthcare applications.  

Breakfast has been made out to be one of the most important meals of the day. It’s taboo to skip it, because of all the wonderful things researchers say this one meal can do to improve our lives. But is breakfast’s pedestal deserved?

Solar flares may have created the conditions that led to life on earth.

The association seems to be significant.

A famous exorcist reveals how to tell the difference between being possessed and having other afflictions.

A company has received approval to try and partially revive brain-dead patients in India.

Why we get earworms and how to get rid of them.

The UK’s National Obesity Forum has released a scathing report linking public health officials and corporate interests. 

One study looked at how antibiotics affect the bacteria in our gut and how this, in turn, affects our brains. 

Floating solar panels may look strange, but there’s a lot of reasons for why Japan is about to build a huge set of them.

The Global Challenges Foundation released a Global Catastrophic Risk Report last week. The results aren’t pretty. Or surprising. 

Nicola Thorp was recently sent home without pay for refusing to wear heels. Sexism in the workplace is only the first problem with this footwear. 

The Food for Thought app from the University of Illinois teaches students about climate change through the lens of eating healthy.

A new spinal cord implant is holding great promise for the paralyzed. It may help those who suffer from certain neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, chronic pain, and epilepsy as well. Experts say this is the most advanced implant yet, which may change the face of paralysis care, or even make the condition a thing of the past.  

The National Academy of Sciences ruled GMOs safe to eat, but with a lot of caveats about their social and economic impact. Plus, how do we define a GMO anyway?

New techniques in cryogenics may fundamentally affect the identity of the revived.

It perpetuates a vicious cycle of physical pain and psychological anguish.

Closing in on 35 years since HIV was first discovered, medical science is now starting to see the possibility of a day when HIV will be curable. In fact, new research has developed several possible strategies which could eliminate the virus from the body. But challenges remain.   

Float tanks are increasing in popularity due to their role in stress reduction and even altered states of consciousness. 

An astronaut looked out the window of the Cupola—an observation nook on the International Space Station (ISS)—and saw a crack in the glass. Imagine floating in space in a pressurized spacecraft and seeing a crack in the thing keeping you safe from the empty void outside.

The International Space Station (ISS) has been playing host to many different kinds of microbes as part of a larger study to figure out how bacteria reacts to a microgravity environment and cosmic radiation.

New research on the health of bee populations shows that things are still getting worse.

We are entering a new generation of prostheses. In years to come bionic limbs will become a reality. Soon the paralyzed and amputees will have limbs that they can use as if they were their real arms and legs. Learn more about this development and the technology behind it.

Every cosmetic cream under the sun promises “a more youthful look” with dubious results. But scientists at MIT may have found a way to bottle a face-lifting cream that smooths out wrinkles.

Researchers like Dr. Nadine Burke Harris have recognized the negative impacts that adverse childhood experiences can have on health. But now we understand more about the resiliency factors as well.

Diagnosis, treatment, research, patient compliance, and follow-up—all of these are going to be revolutionized by artificial intelligence (AI). Better treatment options and outcomes, and better results are on the way, but challenges remain.   

During a live audio conference, NASA announced the discovery of 1,284 confirmed exoplanets as part of a new method outlined in a recent study. This method may help cut down the busywork of finding habitable planets. 

Five of the Solomon Islands have vanished due to rising sea levels. The effects of climate change will be keeping cartographers busy as our borders continue to shift.