In this podcast Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, puts forward some scientific reasons about why teenagers take risks.
Tag Archives: Science & Nature
How Smart Are Planet’s Apes? 7 Intelligence Milestones
In response to movies about supersmart apes, National Geographic compiled this slideshow about how smart apes really are.
Platforms: Submersibles
Exploring the deep sea poses many challenges for scientists. Read this article to learn about the submersible technology scientists use to study deep-water ecosystems. Click on the links to find out more about each type of submersible.
The ‘Canali’ and the First Martians
In 1894, Percival Lowell looked through his telescope and believed he saw canals on Mars. He thought they were proof of intelligent life on that planet. But were they really canals? Read about what Lowell actually saw and the effect of his theory on people’s imaginations.
‘Nature Is a Powerful Teacher’: The Educational Value of Going Outside
In Boston’s schools, an initiative is creating outdoor spaces for learning and having great success. Students and teachers are finding that these outdoor classrooms are improving education.
Family Farmers Fighting Climate Change
Climate change isn’t only about cars; find out what farmers are doing to help the planet.
Solar Wind’s Effect on Earth
The sun obviously affects us everyday, bringing light and warmth from 93 million miles away. But it’s not as constant and helpful as it might appear. Learn about the cycles of storms on the sun and how they affect all aspects of life on earth.
Risking It All for Science
More people have died diving in underwater caves than climbing Mt. Everest. Any error or bit of bad timing could be fatal. But these caves hold scientific treasures that many divers consider worth the risk.
The Science Behind Lightning’s Electric Shows
Lightning flashes about four million times a day around the world, causing power outages and starting fires. Read about this powerful, fearful natural phenomenon and how people deal with it.
Imagination Can Change What We Hear and See
The “power of the imagination” often seems an exaggerated term. However, according to a recent study in the field of neuroscience, the mind is capable of sending sensory signals that can seem quite real. Read on to find out more about this twist of perception.
Leatherback Turtles Don’t Need Google Maps
Leatherback turtles, even as tiny hatchlings, can swim across miles of ocean and return to the beach where they hatched. Find out how these amazing animals navigate without GPS.
Underwater Volcano Is Earth’s Biggest
What phenomenon of nature can be massive, yet go unnoticed? Tamu Massif is an inactive volcano that lies under the northwest Pacific Ocean. See what scientists are learning about this relatively recent discovery.
Woman With No Fear Intrigues Scientists
Read about a rare genetic condition which causes calcium deposits to build in the part of the brain which is responsible for the fear response, rendering it useless.
People banded together to find the world’s loneliest frog true love
Do you think you’ve heard all the stories about Romeo and Juliet? Think again! Read about a frog named for Romeo and the search to find him his very own Juliet.
Why Are We Addicted To Extreme Sports?
This video explains the relationship between the risk/reward sections of the brain, how dopamine factors into people wanting to take outrageous risks, and the benefits of taking risks every day.
11 scientific reasons you should be spending more time outside
This article lists eight advantages, including benefits for your health and mental well-being, of spending time in nature.
Finding connections to nature in cities is key to healthy urban living
How does living in a big city, where there are relatively few opportunities to interact with the natural world, affect a person’s health? What’s it like to grow up in a place where city lights obscure the stars? This article explains why it’s important for urban dwellers to connect with nature.
Climate Change Is A Public Health Emergency, Doctor Says. Here’s How To Respond
You may not think of climate change as an issue of public health. However, the doctors featured in this article view it as part of their responsibility to help to address the threats to human life and health posed by climate change, such as the devastation caused by increasingly severe wildfires.
How did 16 photographs change the way we see the world?
Photography has helped us to see things we couldn’t see with our eyes. It has captured important moments in time. It has even helped to some of the mysteries of the universe. Click through the features at this link to see some of the most significant photos of all time.
Meow Hear This: Study Says Cats React to Sound of Their Name
A study says cats react to the sound of their names, even if they don’t quite understand what it means.