Read about the risks faced by first responders to the nation’s wildfires and what works to mitigate them.
Category Archives: Taking Risks
750 million genetically engineered mosquitoes approved for release in Florida Keys
The debate about the best way to control a persistent disease vector is about to get real.
Volunteers sign up to put their lives on the line for a coronavirus vaccine
In the effort to fast-track a vaccine to prevent the spread of Covid-19, how much risk is acceptable?
Caltech Researchers Ask: Is Risk-Taking Behavior Contagious?
Researchers at the Caltech Brain Imaging Center found that participants in a study were more likely to gamble when they saw peers doing so.
Teens’ Penchant For Risk-Taking May Help Them Learn Faster
Most people tend to categorize the risk-taking behaviors of teenagers as a bad thing, but new research from Harvard University shows that brain development at that age can be beneficial for learning.
To find a coronavirus vaccine, can we ethically infect people with a disease with no cure?
An effective vaccine is a crucial element in the return to normalcy following the outbreak of COVID-19. But how far should researchers go in the effort to speed up development?
A day in the life of one emergency doctor in a New York hospital during coronavirus
During a pandemic, simply going to work is a big risk for medical professionals. Read one doctor’s story.
Beowulf Is Back!
The daring exploits of a legendary hero have captured human imagination for centuries. Read about why Beowulf stays with us.
The Case for Staying in Your Comfort Zone
Writer Samantha Cole weighs the pros and cons of staying in your comfort zone, the premise of Meghan Daums’s book, The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion.
The 10 Most Dangerous Jobs and How Much They Pay
A study found that jobs that pose high risks of injury or death don’t often have a high wage to match.
Running the risk: why experience matters when making decisions
Psychologist Ben Newell explains how previous experience affects risky decisions.
Yes, People Can Edit The Genome In Their Garage. Can They Be Regulated?
This article outlines both the risky and the thoughtful genetic research currently happening outside federal regulations.
The Kids (Who Use Tech) Seem to Be All Right
The effect of technology use on teenagers’ moods and behaviors is a widely-debated issue. But what are the risks of screen time? This article points to a study that attempts to set the record straight.
As Cars Get Safer, Drivers Take More Risks
Read how having technology that makes cars safer sometimes makes drivers less attentive to the road.
The Calculus of Risk
According to author Mark Jenkins, modern adventure is safer than you think—once you know the difference between legitimate danger and irrational fear.
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.
Grand Canyon Stunts Over the Years
Read about the death-defying spectacles performed by thrill seekers in and around the popular national park throughout history.
From A Risky Spacewalk To The Top of Mount Everest
Retired astronaut Scott Parazynski reflects on his life’s adventures.
The real risks of artificial intelligence
Science jouranlist Bianca Nogrady argues that we shouldn’t worry about AI taking over, but about AI solving problems incorrectly.
When a city feels good, people take more risks
A recent study from McGill University shows that local events, such as a win by a sports team, can effect the overall mood of a city’s citizens. Read how this then increases risk-taking behavior.