Mathematician predicted violent upheaval in 2020 all the way back in 2012 By Stephanie Pappas published 20 July 20 In 2012, Peter Turchin made a bold prediction: The United States was on track for a chaotic, violent 2020.
Why are humans so curious? By Grant Currin published 19 July 20 Curiosity may explain how humans have survived as a species.
How the brain builds a sense of self By Sam Ereira published 7 July 20 We don't just copy the behavior of people around us. We also copy their minds.
What is the Dunning-Kruger effect? By Greg Uyeno published 6 July 20 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 published 6 July 20 Americans increasingly exist in highly polarized, informationally insulated ideological communities, allowing them to dismiss scientific facts about coronavirus.
Why do some men take so long to poop? By Benjamin Plackett published 3 July 20 They're probably not just pooping; the restroom is a safe place for them to ponder life's great questions.
Hey guys: Stop snuggling with your cats (at least in photos) if you want a date By Mindy Weisberger published 29 June 20 Can posing with a pet help men find dating success? Not if it's a cat, scientists say.
NASA names headquarters building for 'hidden figure' Mary Jackson By Robert Z. Pearlman published 25 June 20 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 published 21 June 20 Here's how the brain helps us move our two eyes in perfect synchrony.
How the pandemic upended our perception of time By Philip Gable published 13 June 20 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 published 10 June 20 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 published 9 June 20 This Wednesday, thousands of scientists will #ShutDownAcademia, #ShutDownSTEM and #StrikeforBlackLives.
How to actually stop police brutality, according to science By Stephanie Pappas published 4 June 20 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.
What is tear gas? By Janice Chambers published 4 June 20 Tear gas refers to a group of chemical irritants that can be used to control or disperse crowds.
#BlackBirdersWeek co-founders talk nature and race By Kimberly Hickok published 3 June 20 #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 published 30 May 20 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.
Robert May, grandfather of chaos, dies at 84 By Rafi Letzter published 30 April 20 Robert May, an Australian physicist, mathematician and ecologist at 84. His foundational work showed why complex systems fall apart.
Why is it so hard not to touch your face? By Tyler Santora published 28 March 20 People often touch their faces when they're anxious, embarrassed, stressed or even when they're feeling just fine.
Can you recover repressed memories? By Isobel Whitcomb published 22 March 20 There's no doubt we forget things — but what about repression?
Was Freud right about anything? By Benjamin Plackett published 21 March 20 Sigmund Freud had some provocative ideas about the human subconscious.