WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo a global health emergency
Source: CBS News
Learn about the deadly outbreak of Ebola in Africa, how it spreads quickly, and why it is so difficult to contain.
Health & Medicine
Why We Want to Squeeze Cute, Little Things
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Cute aggression is the feeling of wanting to squeeze or pinch something we think is adorable.
Maternal deaths fall across globe but rise in U.S., doubling in Texas
Source: CNN
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?
How can I overcome my fear of public speaking?
Source: Mayo Clinic
Are you nervous when you have to speak in front of your class? Check out some tips on how to conquer this common fear.
How Cancer Starts
Source: Cancer Research UK
Cancer is not a disease that people catch—instead, it is the result of mutations, or changes at the cellular level. Find out how these tiny changes can make things go very wrong.
Brain Scans of Hoarders Reveal Why They Never De-Clutter
Source: Scientific American
Would you have trouble parting with your favorite things? A hoarder is a person who collects items and can’t discard any of them. Often, the homes of hoarders are completely full, with only enough room left to walk from room to room. A new study using brain scans helps shed light on why people behave this way.
Woman With No Fear Intrigues Scientists
Source: LiveScience
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.
Movies may cause special effects on the body
Source: The Chicago Tribune
Watching movies doesn’t just affect our brains; it also affects our bodies. Find out how the effects of horror movies compare with those of other genres.
11 scientific reasons you should be spending more time outside
Source: Business Insider
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
Source: University of Washington
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.