Body and Mind
Fast food has been studied in connection with Americans’ expanding waistlines, but new research suggests that fast food may also affect mental states, making people more impatient. Read More...
The news may be depressing, but what if the world is actually getting better? Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves (P.S.), talks about poverty, Earth’s resources, and why Americans are so down on themselves. Read More...
We’ve long debated whether intelligence is innate or acquired. Author Annie Murphy Paul talks about the latest scientific research - and looks at simple techniques that may be able to enhance our brains. Read More...
Food journalism isn't all filet mignon and creme brulee recipes. Ruth Reichl, former NY Times food critic and Gourmet editor, talks Twitter, blogs, and the value of sitting down for meals. Read More...
From eye of newt to sugar pills, placebos have always played a role in medicine. And now they have more applications than ever, including placebo surgery. Read More...
Columbia University professor Sheena Iyengar, author of The Art of Choosing, explores the science of how we choose things — from clothes to food to entertainment — and explains why sometimes the best choice is to NOT choose. Read More...
Nerds may be America’s greatest resource, but budding nerds are frequently ostracized. David Anderegg, author of “Nerds: How Dorks, Dweebs, Techies, and Trekkies Can Save America,” argues that our future depends on rethinking nerdiness. Read More...
For years, the fight against polio was considered one of the most successful vaccination campaigns of all time. But now, the reappearance of the disease in countries like Pakistan, Syria, and Cameroon has thrown that success into jeopardy. How was polio wiped out the first time around? Read more...
Food preferences aren’t just a matter of taste. Science writer Jennifer Ouellette takes us on a molecular journey to discover why we are who we are. Read More...
New research shows that stress may not be as bad as we thought. Reporter Cristina Quinn heads to a local start up to find out just how stressful work is, and why it actually helps them grow. Read More...
