Despite the promise of budding medical technologies, which could extend the human life span significantly, people are generally wary of living much longer and firmly reject immortality.
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Medical engineers have successfully lined surgical stitches with silicon sensors that can detect infections and apply heat to wounds, a known method of shortening recovery time.
Were the 20-year trend in declining circumcision rates to continue, reaching levels currently seen in Europe, Johns Hopkins physicians estimate substantial rises in health care spending.
By uploading medical journals, clinical guidelines and patient records into Watson’s “brain,” physicians are working closely with IBM to usher in the next generation of computer-assisted medicine.
The health of the human body partially depends on the bacteria living in every crevice of skin and organ. Scientists believe altering their genetic makeup may help fight genetic diseases.
As men age, they become more likely to pass down genetic mutations to their offspring. Most of these mutations are benign but some are associated with diseases like autism and schizophrenia.
It’s not the big party universities that order the most late-night takeout. A new study shows that smaller colleges in general and art schools in particular get the most grub.
A study evaluating demand for valuable artworks shows that a variety of factors can affect the bidding price, including age of the artist, whether it was purchased before, and how popular the artist is on Google.
Contrary to popular belief, going to the theater isn’t something only rich people do. A new study proves that different classes of people go for different reasons.
A new report from a parents’ advocacy group shows that the FCC isn’t doing nearly enough to prevent (pixelated) nudity from appearing on network TV programs.
The tanning industry, beset on several sides by mounting evidence showing the dangers of their services, isn’t going down without a fight.
Just as Visa offers different perks of membership to its platinum and gold cardholders, so could the government to its citizens, based on wealth.
While flipping through Modern Furniture: 150 Years of Design, I couldn’t help but stop and smile at seeing the same monobloc chair sitting on my backyard deck sitting there on […]
What’s the Big Idea? The Internet has a terrible habit of misquoting Einstein on energy and creativity until he sounds like he’s the author of The Secret, not the theory […]
Along with Romney’s 13% tax bill and Pussy Riot, the other media sensation of recent weeks has been cheaters. After Jonah Lehrer’s sloppy multitasking and Fareed Zakaria’s “journalistic lapse,” now […]
Last week, Jen McCreight announced that she was fed up with sexism in the atheist movement and called for a new wave of atheist activism, one explicitly concerned with social […]
A redesigned microbial fuel cell converts more electricity from waste products than ever before, and can potentially help create sustainable treatment plants.
The theme of this year’s Nantucket Project is Collective Intelligence, or how we can leverage technology and other advances to aggregate and amplify human intelligence. We plan to utilize the […]
Roger Cohen recently argued that despite “the enduring centrality of American power” and “the nation’s immense capacity for renewal,” “even all the right choices for the United States will not […]
Big Think has reached into our archive and also sourced expert opinions from around the Web to showcase the big ideas from each political party. Call it a virtual convention of ideas.
A Daily Mail article today notes accurately that the 2012 GOP platform on abortion would effectively outlaw many infertility treatments. This is a riddle that’s long intrigued me, and one […]
Charles Darwin’s correspondence reveals how he struggled with the work-life balance and how that influenced his decision on whether or not to get married.
A nanotech “electronic nose” is being tested with small devices to allow detection of airborne toxins before they can harm living beings.
Researchers are using robotics to create machines that will allow babies with motor skill challenges to move themselves. Theoretically, this will help their brain development match that of their typically-developing peers.
But here’s a radical idea: America needs to create an army of hackers to defend cyberspace. And sooner rather than later.
The point of marriage is to grow old with someone and develop a sense of trust. Therefore, Christopher Ryan argues we need to take a “harm reduction approach” over an “absolutist approach.”
What’s the Big Idea? The idea of keeping a private journal is enjoying a renaissance. Earlier this month, a new app called Everyday.me launched with the goal of collecting your […]
A new iPhone app allows Americans a clear window into the operations and rationale behind the Super PACs that are currently blanketing television’s airwaves with campaign ads.
Far from being a science-fiction dream, “future cities” are slowly coming within the grasp of reality. An article reviews a number of different projects from around the world.
Let me see if I can get this all straight. A week and a half ago, presidential candidate Mitt Romney chose Congressman Paul Ryan, famous for coming up with the […]