New research shows that people are more scared of threats that come from the left. Read about the experiments conducted which prove the theory, and the ideas around why it is so.
Tag Archives: Science & Nature
Underdogs: The Bloodhound’s Amazing Sense of Smell
Read about the amazing bloodhound, whose nose consists of approximately 230 million olfactory cells, or “scent receptors”—which makes them perfect tracker dogs.
Survival Training, Ferret Style
Wild animals such as weasels survive by following their instincts. But what about animals raised in captivity? Endangered ferrets in one breeding project are taught the instincts they need before being released into the wild.
Fukushima nuclear crisis continues to unfold
An earthquake and tsunami in 2011 caused heavy damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. Three reactors melted down, and radiation escaped into the air and water. Watch a report about how workers are still trying to contain the damage.
How to make someone fall in love with you, according to science
Sometimes it seems there are just about as many theories on why we fall in love as there are couples in love. But statistics have shown that certain factors play a huge part in what attracts us to certain people and what keeps relationships strong.
The Girl Who Swims With Sharks
20-year-old Madison Stewart is on a quest to save sharks. Though they might not look like they need protecting, many species of sharks are in danger because of humans engaging in controversial practices and markets. Stewart hopes to change peoples’ minds in time to save these magnificent fish.
Using nature’s genius in architecture
Humans can learn a lot from nature: In this TED talk, learn how architects are imitating natural processes and structures to create more efficient buildings.
Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature
This site offers a wide variety of information related to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Starting with “The Birth of Frankenstein,” use the table of contents on the left side of the page to browse topics ranging from historical and scientific background information to the story’s modern influences on film, culture, and research.
James Webb Space Telescope
This NASA site provides an overview and links about ongoing work on the James Webb Space Telescope, expected to be able to view the universe’s early development starting in 2018.
Shackleton’s Voyage of Endurance
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to cross Antarctica. When his ship became trapped in the ice, a new adventure began. Read the astonishing tale of survival that brought his entire crew home safely two years later.
Mars One
In April 2013, Mars One launched its Astronaut Selection Program, taking the foundation one step closer to its eventual goal of establishing a human settlement on Mars. Explore the official Mars One site to learn more about the organization, its mission, and the risks and challenges involved in such a historic undertaking.
How It Works: Putting Humans in Suspended Animation
Though it may sound like science fiction, the use of “suspended animation” (emergency preservation and resuscitation) to help save human lives will begin in trial form in the very near future. Read the article and watch the short video that follows, in which Dr. Sam Tisherman answers frequently asked questions about the procedure.
Fix the Garden program nourishes offenders and the needy
The Fix the Garden program is designed to help both people in need and people who are required to do community service. Read this article to find out how this natural environment is changing lives.
Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? To Create Optical Illusions
Humans aren’t the only ones fooled by optical illusions. Learn how the zebra’s black and white stripes protect it by confusing the vision of predators large and small.
There have been five mass extinctions in Earth’s history. Now we’re facing a sixth.
We all know about the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs, but scientists now see evidence that we’re in the midst of another mass extinction—this one caused not by an asteroid but at least in part by human activity. This review of Elizabeth Kolbert’s book The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History discusses how humans have altered nature and what we’re doing about it.
Sherpas Take Steep Risks for Life-Changing Pay
For Sherpas working as professional guides on Mount Everest, a bad day at work can result in death. Though the Sherpa people have worked as mountain guides for over a hundred years, no one can deny how dangerous the job is, especially in light of the most recent accident on Everest which killed 10 Sherpas in a single day.
Science of Love: Heartbreak
We use the word heartbreak to describe what it feels like when love is lost, but what actually happens to the body during this process? Watch this short video to learn about some of the science behind a broken heart.
Dogs at War: Smoky, a Healing Presence for Wounded WWII Soldiers
Corporal Bill Wynne had a special bond with his dog, Smoky. That bond helped Wynne recover from a serious illness during WWII. Smoky and Wynne later spent years touring hospitals together, helping other ill or wounded soldiers heal.
Holocaust Remembrance Day Grows Roots: Anne Frank & the Sapling Project
Anne Frank saw the chestnut tree that stood outside of her window as a symbol of beauty, despite the ugliness that pervaded the world around it. Read about how the Anne Frank Center USA’s Sapling Project is giving new life to this special tree and all it stands for.
Scientists study the thrill of a chill
What is it that makes certain types of fear fun? Researchers have uncovered a few explanations for the attraction of a good scare.