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an illustration of men and women with their brains superimposed over the heads
Is there really a difference between male and female brains? Emerging science is revealing the answer. Brain scans, postmortem dissections, artificial intelligence and lab mice reveal differences in the brain that are linked to sex. Do we know what they mean?
A close-up of a doctor loading a syringe with a dose of a vaccine
'Vaccine rejection is as old as vaccines themselves': Science historian Thomas Levenson on the history of germ theory and its deniers Live Science spoke with author Thomas Levenson about his new book on the history of germ theory.
An illustration of colorful lines converging to make the shape of a human iris and pupil
Scientists hijacked the human eye to get it to see a brand-new color. It's called 'olo.' Using an experimental technique called "Oz," researchers stimulated the human retina such that people saw a brand-new color.

Latest about Health

a rendering of a bed floating in the clouds

Science of sleep quiz: How much do you know about sleep and dreams?

By Nicoletta Lanese, Emily Cooke published

Test your knowledge of how sleeping and dreaming work.

Sleep

Flu: Facts about seasonal influenza and bird flu

By Mindy Weisberger published

Learn interesting facts about the flu, a viral infection that targets the respiratory system.

Flu
Colgate Kids Battery Powered electric toothbrush being tested by our reviewer

Colgate Kids battery-powered toothbrush review

By Joanne Lewsley published

Reviews A fun and affordable battery-powered toothbrush that’s sure to make brushing an enjoyable experience for little people.

Reviews
A high-resolution microscope image of a particle of a hantavirus against an enlarged, blurred version of the same image. The virus is blue, green and black.

What is hantavirus? The rare but deadly respiratory illness spread by rodents

By Emily Cooke published

Hantaviruses are spread by rodents and can cause deadly respiratory and kidney illnesses in humans. It recently killed Betsy Arakawa, actor Gene Hackman's wife, in a widely covered case.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
A woman holds her baby as they receive an MMR vaccine

When will the US measles outbreak end?

By Emily Cooke published

A public health official in Texas recently warned that the state's ongoing measles outbreak could last a year. Why are cases expected to keep rising?

Viruses, Infections & Disease
A woman is shown holding up a test tube containing a sample of blood. The different components of the blood have been separated, including the plasma which is visible in yellow. The test tube and the woman's hand are in focus, but the rest of the image is slightly blurred.

'Fingerprints of cancer' found after scientists flash infrared light pulses at blood samples

By Emily Cooke published

A new, AI-powered test can detect the molecular "fingerprints" of cancer in a patient's blood using flashes of infrared light.

Cancer
Researcher examining cultures in a petri dish, low angle view.

Diagnostic dilemma: A scientist caught plague from bacteria thought to be 'noninfectious'

By Kamal Nahas published

A scientist who was working on plague-causing bacteria caught the disease despite using weakened strains that were deemed noninfectious.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
In this photo illustration, a pregnant woman shows her belly.

Origins of schizophrenia linked to epigenetics of the placenta

By Clarissa Brincat published

Epigenetic changes in the placenta may shape how the fetal brain develops and thus influence the risk of psychiatric disorders.

Genetics
An illustration of particles of the measles virus in red and white against a dark background.

US measles outbreak tops 600 cases — what to know about the disease

By Emily Cooke last updated

As measles outbreaks in the U.S. continue, here's what to know about how the disease spreads, what its symptoms are, and how to protect yourself and community from the illness.

Viruses, Infections & Disease

2 school-age children have died in Texas measles outbreak, as total cases pass 480

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Texas officials reported the death of a second school-age child in the state's ongoing measles outbreak.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
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