Culture News - Articles About Human Nature

The Live Science merch store is back with more science-y gear

By Jeanna Bryner

If you're a science geek like us, you'll love the new and improved Live Science merch store, where you can get all of your science-y gear, from t-shirts and mugs to tote bags and stickers.

Tiny larval sunfish look nothing like the adults.

Amazing images: The best science photos of the week

By Brandon Specktor

Here are the stories behind the most amazing images in the world of science this week. A recap of the coolest photos featured on Live Science.

Is consciousness uniquely human? Or do other living things have varying degrees of it?

What is consciousness?

By Grant Currin

Do non-human animals have consciousness, too?

This stag doesn't seem to mind a human extinction.

What could drive humans to extinction?

By Emma Bryce

Pandemics, climate change, artificial intelligence: these are just some of the wide-ranging threats to humanity's survival. But they all have one factor in common...

Large crowds protest police brutality and the killing of George Floyd by police. The Black Lives Matter protest, seen here on June 19, 2020, in downtown Chicago, is just one of thousands across the U.S. and globe.

Mathematician predicted violent upheaval in 2020 all the way back in 2012

By Stephanie Pappas

In 2012, Peter Turchin made a bold prediction: The United States was on track for a chaotic, violent 2020.

Play can help children pursue and express their creativity.

Why are humans so curious?

By Grant Currin

Curiosity may explain how humans have survived as a species.

Design made of fusion of human head and fractal shape to serve as backdrop for projects related to mind, consciousness and spirituality

How the brain builds a sense of self

By Sam Ereira

We don't just copy the behavior of people around us. We also copy their minds.

A woman holding a piece of paper with a skeptical look on her face as she listens to a man speaking to her from the other side of the table.

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?

By Greg Uyeno

When we don't know enough to know what we don't know.

Humans are hardwired to dismiss (coronavirus) facts that don't fit their worldview

By Adrian Bardon

Americans increasingly exist in highly polarized, informationally insulated ideological communities, allowing them to dismiss scientific facts about coronavirus.

This guy is ready for a marathon session.

Why do some men take so long to poop?

By Benjamin Plackett

They're probably not just pooping; the restroom is a safe place for them to ponder life's great questions.

Cat photos can be cat-astrophic for your love life.

Hey guys: Stop snuggling with your cats (at least in photos) if you want a date

By Mindy Weisberger

Can posing with a pet help men find dating success? Not if it's a cat, scientists say.

Mary W. Jackson overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become the first African American female engineer to work at NASA. She later led the efforts to ensure equal opportunities for future generations. The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C. has been named in her honor.

NASA names headquarters building for 'hidden figure' Mary Jackson

By Robert Z. Pearlman

NASA is recognizing one of its "hidden figures" by naming its headquarters in Washington, D.C. after Mary Jackson, the first African American female engineer to work at the space agency.

How do our eyes move in perfect synchrony?

By Benjamin Plackett

It's thanks to a constantly improving alliance of neurons and muscles.

How the pandemic upended our perception of time

By Philip Gable

Think back to life before stay-at-home orders. Does it feel like just yesterday or ages ago? Here's how the pandemic upended our perception of time.

Live Science stands with #ShutDownSTEM and #Strike4BlackLives

By Jeanna Bryner

Here's how Live Science will participate today in #ShutDownSTEM and what it means to the site and staff.

Scientists condemn racism and take action with #StrikeforBlackLives this week

By Kimberly Hickok

This Wednesday, thousands of scientists will #ShutDownAcademia, #ShutDownSTEM and #StrikeforBlackLives.

An aerial view shows people gathering to pay tribute at a makeshift memorial in honor of George Floyd, on June 3, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How to actually stop police brutality, according to science

By Stephanie Pappas

Though the issues brought up by this week's George Floyd protests run deep, there is evidence that certain policy changes can lead to less violent police departments.

Police officers wearing riot gear push back demonstrators shooting tear gas next to St. John's Episcopal Church outside of the White House, June 1, 2020 in Washington D.C., during a protest over the death of George Floyd.

What is tear gas?

By Janice Chambers

Tear gas refers to a group of chemical irritants that can be used to control or disperse crowds.

A father with his children bird watching outdoors.

#BlackBirdersWeek co-founders talk nature and race

By Kimberly Hickok

#BlackBirdersWeek is an online event created with the goal of promoting and encouraging the inclusion of Black people in science and nature communities traditionally dominated by white people.

An inmate's love of mathematics leads to discovery in number theory

By Marta Cerruti

Christopher Havens came upon his love of math while in solitary confinement. A decade later, he published a paper on number theory in a top mathematics journal.