Michael Dhar

Get the science scoop on the animal kingdom's Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and Thing. Can you guess which animals make the cut?

By Michael Dhar Published 21 August 15

People who have problems sleeping may also be more sensitive to pain, new research finds.

By Michael Dhar Published 1 May 15

Children who are prodigies may have certain genetic traits in common with people who have autism, new research suggests.

By Michael Dhar Published 1 May 15

Star Wars' beloved droid C-3PO's astounding translation abilities might be the most useful in everyday life, and the most likely to be replicated by real-life AI.

By Michael Dhar Published 21 March 15

By Michael Dhar Published 20 March 15

Blessed and burdened with a tremendous learning capacity, Ultron masters 3,000 years of human history in a flash. But computers that learn are not only on the big screen, say experts.

By Michael Dhar Published 19 March 15

The Turing test, a foundational method of AI evaluation, shapes the plot of the sci-fi/psychological thriller "Ex Machina." But real-life systems can already pass the test.

By Michael Dhar Published 18 March 15

Artificial intelligence like the kind seen in the movies is getting real, as researchers work on robots with feelings like Chappie.

By Michael Dhar Published 17 March 15

Here are the 12 best science nuggets from 2014's science-fiction films.

By Michael Dhar Published 25 December 14

Sci-fi loves to mess with memory, but memory misleads in real life, too.

By Michael Dhar Published 25 October 14

In the film "Guardians of the Galaxy," the character "Groot" is a walking, talking tree that seems to defy nature. How outlandish is the idea of a plant-animal hybrid?

By Michael Dhar Published 26 August 14

Six of the people killed in the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 were dedicated to HIV/AIDS research and programs, and researchers mourned their lives at recent a health conference.

By Michael Dhar Published 30 July 14

Though the term "communism" can refer to specific political parties, at its core, communism is an ideology of economic equality through the elimination of private property.

By Michael Dhar Published 30 January 14

The common skin growth called a skin tag, or acrochordon, usually develops in folds of skin and causes little to no harm. Still, these growths can be irritating, and doctors can easily remove them.

By Michael Dhar Published 29 January 14

The sun, a massive nuclear-powered star at the center of the solar system, generates the heat and light that sustain life on Earth. But how hot is the sun?

By Michael Dhar Published 15 January 14

By Michael Dhar Published 30 December 13

If you've purchased a relatively cheap leather sofa, leather-bound books or an inexpensive belt, you might own a bonded-leather item. But what is bonded leather?

By Michael Dhar Published 19 December 13

Sold since 1897, Jell-O has occupied a familiar place on American dinner tables for decades. But what is Jell-O made of?

By Michael Dhar Published 19 December 13

By Michael Dhar Published 25 November 13

By Michael Dhar Published 22 November 13

A new system to train brain surgeons uses 3D brain models created based on actual patients.

By Michael Dhar Published 19 November 13