Humans

Science

Are Humans Biologically Programmed To Fear What They Don't Understand?

6:15pm April 05, 2018

by Lulu Miller

In a world increasingly drawn to the black-and-white of defined categories, Allie n Steve Mullen has found living in between those categories to be invigorating. They switch between male and female throughout each day, based on their activities.

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Barbara J. King takes a look at a new book exploring burgers and gender.

What Do Hamburgers Have To Do With Gender?

3:09pm April 05, 2018

by Barbara J. King

Meat and veggie burgers evolved together in the 20th century, but when it comes to associations with gender, their histories diverge. Anthropologist Barbara J. King explores a new book on the topic.

M spends so much time daydreaming that it interferes with her life.

Invisibilia: When Daydreaming Gets In The Way Of Real Life

2:19pm April 05, 2018

by Meredith Rizzo

In this episode of the Invisibilia podcast, our hosts explore how it feels to be "in between," including the story of one woman who spends so much time daydreaming that it interferes with her life.

The Japanese practice of forest bathing has been scientifically studied, and now one of its foremost experts has written a book on its benefits, says Marcelo Gleiser.

Suffering From Nature Deficit Disorder? Try Forest Bathing

11:54am April 04, 2018

by Marcelo Gleiser

Positive scientific results aside, the idea of shinrin-yoku shouldn't be surprising: Who hasn't felt an inner sense of well-being when walking along a forest trail? asks commentator Marcelo Gleiser.

The CDC is trying to stop E. coli and other bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics because they can cause a deadly infection.

Federal Efforts To Control Rare And Deadly Bacteria Working

3:29pm April 03, 2018

by Richard Harris

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's efforts to control drug-resistant bacteria finds that the percentage of bacteria carrying this resistance is declining. But it wants more data.

Modest temperature reversals have not taken us back in time at all, says guest commentator Jimena Canales.

Science

Time Travel With Your Fridge?

12:55pm April 03, 2018

by Jimena Canales

If the history of thermodynamics can teach us anything, it is that modest entropy reversals have not taken us back in time at all. But it is more fun to think otherwise, says guest Jimena Canales.

Scarcity can make it difficult for us to focus on anything other than the problem right in front of us.

The Scarcity Trap: Why We Keep Digging When We're Stuck In A Hole

9:00pm April 02, 2018

Have you ever noticed that when something important is missing in your life, your brain can only seem to focus on that missing thing? Two researchers have dubbed this phenomenon "scarcity."

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Veterans in Murfreesboro, Tenn., enjoy a wheelchair tai chi class; other alternative health programs now commonly offered at VA hospitals in the U.S. include yoga, mindfulness training and art therapy.

To Treat Pain, PTSD And Other Ills, Some Vets Try Tai Chi

6:42pm April 02, 2018

by Blake Farmer

In hopes of reducing some veterans' reliance on pills for physical pain and psychological trauma, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is taking a look at alternative therapies.

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Artist's rendering of the first planet outside of our solar system to be imaged orbiting a brown dwarf star, called the 2M1207 system.

Science

Is Humanity Unusual In The Cosmos?

12:28pm April 02, 2018

by Adam Frank

Commentator Adam Frank talks with Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb about exo-civilizations, techno-signatures, and the search for alien life — living or long-gone.

Cutting back up to 25 percent of your calories per day helps slow your metabolism and reduce free radicals that cause cell damage and aging. But would you want to?

You May Live Longer By Severely Restricting Calories, Scientists Say

11:38am April 02, 2018

Scientists have long been fascinated with whether dramatically restricting the amount of food we eat can help us live longer. New research suggests it might, but the question is, is it worth it?

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