Christopher Wanjek is a Live Science contributor and a health and science writer. He is the author of three science books: Spacefarers (2020), Food at Work (2005) and Bad Medicine (2003). His "Food at Work" book and project, concerning workers' health, safety and productivity, was commissioned by the U.N.'s International Labor Organization. For Live Science, Christopher covers public health, nutrition and biology, and he has written extensively for The Washington Post and Sky & Telescope among others, as well as for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where he was a senior writer. Christopher holds a Master of Health degree from Harvard School of Public Health and a degree in journalism from Temple University.
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How Your Brain Wiring Drives Social InteractionsWASHINGTON — Humans and many other animals express a range of social behaviors, from cooperation to aggression.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
neuroscience -
Sweet Lullaby: Scientists Uncover How Herpes Virus Sleeps and WakesBy Christopher Wanjek Published
viruses-infections-disease -
Say What? Computer Game Improves Hearing in Noisy SituationsWant to follow conversations better in a noisy restaurant or bar? There soon may be an app for that.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
computing -
Babies Learn Perseverance by Watching You SweatHave you ever struggled to open a stubborn package? If so, that may be a good thing…if your baby is watching.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
reproductive-health -
Hunter-Gatherer Gut Microbes Show What We're MissingThe gut microbiome of the hunter-gatherer Hadza people is very different from that of Americans, varying with diet and season, and that's likely good for the Hadza ... and bad for Americans.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
bacterial-fungal -
People Who Get Less REM Sleep May Be at Greater Risk of DementiaConsider it another strike against not getting enough sleep...
By Christopher Wanjek Published
alzheimers-dementia -
Why You May Not Have to Finish All Your AntibioticsThe mantra to "complete the course" for antibiotics is wrong and possibly dangerous, scientists say.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
bacterial-fungal -
How 'Bad' Gut Bacteria Can Change Their Evil WaysThe idea that gut bacteria can either be "good" or "bad" may not tell the whole story.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
immune-system -
Who Would Win a Human-vs.-Chimp Wrestling Match?In the most detailed study to date comparing the muscles of chimps and humans, researchers found that chimps are 1.35 times more powerful than people.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
primates -
Doctors Want Sugar and 'Cancer-Causing' Foods Out of HospitalsThe AMA is taking aim at hospitals with a policy recommendation encouraging healthier food and drink options for patients, visitors and staff.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
food-drink -
Chronic Pain May Stem from Pain Receptors in HidingScientists find that pain receptors can hide inside cells; but they can still find them and deactivate them, which may lead to better pain medication.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
medicine-drugs -
3D-Printed 'Eyes' Could Help Blind Children's Faces Grow NaturallyResearchers used a 3D printer to create eye-like structures to help the faces of kids who are missing eyes to grow naturally and symmetrically.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
neuroscience -
Robot Completes Delicate Eye Surgery in FirstThe first robotic surgical technique for the eye brings great precision and safety to a delicate surgery on the retina.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
neuroscience -
How Bright Lights May Help Wake Patients from a ComaCould encouraging a natural circadian rhythm help comatose patients awaken? A small study says yes.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
neuroscience -
Why Breathing Deeply Helps You Calm DownThe brain center that links breathing and calmness has been found.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
psychology -
How Fast Will Your Brain Age? Scientists Identify Key GeneScientists have found that a gene called TMEM106B controls how fast the brain ages and helps protect against dementia.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
aging -
New Policies Would Threaten Autism Research, Experts SayThe real threat for those with autism is not vaccines but rather the proposed changes to Obamacare, which could reduce services for people with the condition.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
health -
Europeans Brought New, Deadly Ulcer Bacteria to AmericasBy Christopher Wanjek Published
americas -
Hear This: Scientists Regrow Sound-Sensing CellsScientists recently regrew sound-sensing "hair cells" in high volumes to test drugs for hearing loss.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
medicine-drugs -
Depression Can Affect New Fathers, TooWhile much attention is given to maternal depression, fathers also can get depressed before and after their child's birth, which, in turn, can have negative consequences for the child.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
psychology -
Sleeping Shrinks the Brain … and That's a Good ThingSleep provides a time for the brain to prune synapses to ensure only the most important information is retained.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
sleep -
Scientists Untangle the Soy-Breast Cancer ParadoxTo eat soy or not: That's the question many U.S. women have been asking.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
cancer -
Can a Roommate's Genes Influence Your Health?Your partner's or roommate's genes have a sizable effect on how your own genes are expressed, according to a study on caged mice.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
genetics -
Speedy TB Treatment Could Combat Drug ResistanceTB treatments stretch over nine months, so many people don't stick to their meds, and antibiotic resistance develops. But now doctors may have found a way to speed up the treatment.
By Christopher Wanjek Published
bacterial-fungal

