Science & Society
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Science & Society
‘Failure’ explores errors’ upsides
Missteps are a must in science, biologist argues in new book.
By Janet Raloff - Psychology
No, cheese is not just like crack
Recent news reports claimed that a study shows cheese is addictive. But the facts behind the research show cheese and crack have little in common.
- Science & Society
Happy Birthday to Boole, with 11001000 binary candles
George Boole’s 200th birthday is occasion to celebrate the 1s and 0s of computer language.
- Neuroscience
1960s dog brain transplant was not followed by human studies
A pioneering study to transplant a dog’s brain led to later work on a monkey, but ethical considerations and technical know-how have prevented further work.
- Science & Society
Unreliable science impairs its ability to serve society
Science’s reproducibility problem impairs the ability of basic research to inform the search for better medicinal drugs.
- Psychology
Views on bias can be biased
When presented with a study showing bias against women, male scientists are more inclined to nitpick the results. But a little intervention can go a long way toward gender equality in science.
- Science & Society
Perspiration is important, but inspiration is fun(damental)
How much of science is inspiration versus perspiration?
By Eva Emerson - Animals
How architecture can make ants better workers
The right nest architecture can make harvester ants better at their job, new research shows.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
Hollywood-made science documentary series comes to TV
Breakthrough series gives a closer look at scientists at work.
- Humans
An amusing romp through word histories
From ak to wid, a new book makes etymology fun.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Cancer drug’s effectiveness overinflated in animal studies
Claims about the cancer drug sunitinib are overblown because of poorly designed studies and negative results that were never published, a new analysis suggests.
- Health & Medicine
Cancer drug’s effectiveness overinflated in animal studies
Claims about the cancer drug sunitinib are overblown because of poorly designed studies and negative results that were never published, a new analysis suggests.