Articles by Taylor Kubota, Live Science Contributor

Coughing, Sneezing … Loneliness: Isolation Can Make Colds Worse

By Taylor Kubota published 30 March 17

The lonelier a person feels, the more miserable they feel when they have a cold.

Like or Unlike? Facebook May Harm Health

By Taylor Kubota published 3 February 17

After a long week, if there's not much on TV, you may spend some time on Facebook. Could this decision hurt your health?

Rare Bird Flu Strikes Cats: What You Need to Know

By Taylor Kubota published 20 January 17

The death of a shelter cat in New York was just the start of a recent investigation.

This image shows a 3-D virtual model of a fetus at 26 weeks.

Imaging Advance May Soon Show Unborn Babies in 3D

By Taylor Kubota published 15 December 16

Someday, a mother-to-be may be able to put on a virtual reality headset and get a clear, 360-degree look at her own fetus in the womb.

An illustration of Earth's layers, including the mantle and inner core.

Stash of Water May Be Lurking Deep Beneath Earth's Surface

By Taylor Kubota published 29 November 16

A trove of water locked up in the mineral brucite may be hiding out more than 250 miles beneath Earth's surface, geoscientists have found.

The Ross Ice Shelf is the world's largest ice shelf and an enormous raft-like extension of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Weird 'Gravity' Waves Above Antarctica Caused by Ice Vibrations

By Taylor Kubota published 28 October 16

What Is 'Hangover Free' Synthetic Alcohol, and Is It Safe?

By Taylor Kubota published 3 October 16

A drink called "alcosynth" is being touted as a hangover-free version of synthetic alcohol. But what's in it, and is it really safe to drink?

So Bored! 8 Facts from the Science of Boredom

By Taylor Kubota published 20 September 16

Researchers are beginning to shed light on the ingredients of boredom, and some studies may even hint at ways to fight it.

The Science of Boredom

By Taylor Kubota published 20 September 16

Boredom is an unpleasant feeling, and not everyone knows how to fight it. Here's a look at the science of boredom.

A diagram of the human body shows a tumor in the brain

Childhood Cancer Deaths: Brain Cancer Overtakes Leukemia as Top Cause

By Taylor Kubota published 18 September 16

Leukemia is no longer the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in children, a new report says.

An artist's image shows a problem taking place inside a person's brain

Strange Stroke Stories: Ebola, Hickeys and Other Weird Causes

By Taylor Kubota published 6 September 16

Some pretty unusual things can cause strokes.

US Marijuana Use Grows As Fewer People Worry About the Risks

By Taylor Kubota published 31 August 16

More people in the U.S. are using marijuana than in years past, and one reason may be that people think the drug as less harmful than people did in the past.

A woman's face is measured by a tape measure.

Facial Features and Genes: Study Taps New Connections

By Taylor Kubota published 26 August 16

In a new study, researchers tried to make sense of how a person's genes are linked to his or her appearance.

Why Areas with More Men Have Higher Marriage Rates

By Taylor Kubota published 25 August 16

It might seem counterintuitive, but men are more likely to marry if they live in areas where there are fewer women, a new study shows.

Lochte's Lies: How Science Explains Fibbers

By Taylor Kubota published 19 August 16

Research on lying has revealed some interesting findings.

Zika: What States Can Expect in the Coming Months

By Taylor Kubota published 17 August 16

Here's what you need to know about the Zika virus for the coming months.

Flying Cockroaches! Heat Sends Your Favorite Pests Soaring

By Taylor Kubota published 17 August 16

Turns out the soaring heat is just what some cockroaches need to spread their wings … literally.

What's the Most Challenging Gymnastics Event, According to Physics?

By Taylor Kubota published 16 August 16

Cold-War-Era Toxic Waste Could Be Released by Greenland's Melting Ice

By Taylor Kubota published 5 August 16

Death Spiral: 4th Phase of Life May Signal the End Is Near

By Taylor Kubota published 27 July 16

A growing body of research now suggests that there is a fourth phase immediately preceding death that scientists have dubbed the "death spiral."

That's Insane! Daring Skydiver 'Surfs' on Storm Clouds

By Taylor Kubota published 22 July 16

Earlier this month, skydiver Sean MacCormac strapped a board to his feet and "surfed" down the edge of a storm cloud over central Florida.

A robotic arm at the International Space Station captures an unmanned Dragon space capsule as it delivered supplies, including a DNA sequencer, to the outpost's crew on July 20, 2016.

Why Did NASA Send a DNA Sequencer to Space?

By Taylor Kubota published 21 July 16

A DNA sequencer that was just delivered to the International Space Station can test not just known Earthly organisms. It could possibly analyze samples taken from alien life, NASA said.

10 Medical Conditions That Sound Fake but Are Actually Real

By Taylor Kubota published 12 July 16

These medical conditions are real: from the Capgras delusion (where everyone seems like an impostor) to Alien Hand syndrome (just like Dr. Strangelove).

A football player tackles another player during a game.

The Science of Football: Which Positions Take the Hardest Hits?

By Taylor Kubota published 3 June 16

A new study measured the impacts that football players take, and sorted them by position.

New Report Doesn't Prove Cellphones Cause Cancer

By Taylor Kubota published 31 May 16

There's still no solid evidence that cellphone use increases cancer risk, experts say.