A few years ago a British adventurer completed the first solo canoe trip down the full length of Africa’s Congo River. Read about the challenges he faced.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
Cancer Drug Proves to Be Effective Against Multiple Tumors
People sometimes talk about a cure for cancer as if it’s a nearly impossible goal. But this deadly disease takes many forms, and cures for some of those forms have already been developed.
Survival of the Friendliest
In this short video, Brian Hare explores the importance of friendliness in the animal and human worlds.
How the Stress of Disaster Brings People Together
Stress can put people’s nerves on edge, but it can also cause them to be kinder and more compassionate toward others.
Few Artifacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Still Exist. These Iron Blocks Help Tell That Gut-Wrenching Story
Divers examining a shipwreck off the southern coast of Africa recovered remnants that bring the human experience of slavery into sharp focus.
Would Shakespeare’s poisons and drugs work in reality?
Several Shakespearean plots points, including the climax of Romeo and Juliet, turn on powerful potions. Did the bard dream them up, or might they have really existed?
The Pre-Viking Legend of Ragnarӧk
One of the best-known Norse myths about the end of the universe may have originated in a real-world ancient catastrophe.
What If: Britain and France Had Not Appeased Hitler in 1938?
One of the first demands made by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was a small territory called the Sudetenland. The decision European leaders made in response to that demand led to World War II.
Are Pigs as Smart as Dogs, and Does It Really Matter?
An opinion columnist explores the idea of whether we should think about how smart the kinds of animals we eat might be.
How a Fallout Shelter Ended up at the American History Museum
Half a century ago, fallout shelters were everywhere. One of these well-stocked little bunkers, meant to protect people from the fallout of an atomic bomb, is now part of history.
The Power of Expressing Yourself
Could talking about your fears actually lessen them? Find out what the research says.
Why Introverts Can Be Great Leaders
Even if you’re not that excited about making your voice heard, you may be the best person to lead a group. Find out why.
What Is Career and Technical Education, Anyway?
Get the facts about career education classes available in high schools across the country in this Q&A.
Does “Never again!” mean anything if we do nothing about China’s concentration camps?
World War II may be far in the past, but for the Uighur people of China, disturbing echoes of the Holocaust are happening right now.
Charging Youths as Adults Can Be a “Cruel Wake-Up Call.” Is There Another Way?
This in-depth report examines the reasons and outcomes of charging teenagers as adults in the criminal justice system.
Buffalo Soldiers
Learn about some of the many accomplishments of the “buffalo soldiers,” 19th-century regiments of African American troops formed after the Civil War.
Can Fear Actually Be Healthy? 5 Health Effects of Halloween Horrors
Halloween’s popularity grows year after year, perhaps in part because being scared can be good for us.
Why Cultural Appropriation Isn’t Cool
We live in a multicultural society, so we enjoy food, music, and fashion from many backgrounds. But when is it sharing, and when is it stealing?
Maternal deaths fall across globe but rise in U.S., doubling in Texas
Giving birth used to be one of the most dangerous things a woman could do, until medical advancements about a century ago improved outcomes. So why might the United States—and one state in particular— be sliding backward in this key statistic?
When Your Parents Disapprove of Your Partner
Situations today may not be as dramatic as that in Romeo & Juliet, but it does still happen that parents oppose their children’s choice of partners.