An American cultural shift is happening, aided by technology that allows prospective parents to select the gender of their child, toward a bias in favor of baby girls over baby boys.
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A team of biomedical researchers have discovered novel genes in bacteria increasingly responsible for hospital-caused infections. The discovery may result in targets for future drugs.
So Dylan was badgered beyond belief to take a stand on behalf of our president. He refused to do it, although the Rolling Stone reporter seemed to regard his evasiveness as the […]
Dueling studies published in the British Medical Journal ask whether genetic or environmental factors are more influential when it comes to extreme weight gain.
The most rigorous and detailed analysis to date of acupuncture as a medical treatment has found that the procedure effectively relieves chronic pain associated with migraines and back aches.
This is a lengthy post but I want to do justice to Adam Lee, Big Think and the arguments. These are my initial thoughts. Fellow Big Think blogger and friend, […]
If built, the “Lowline” park will occupy an abandoned underground terminal and be populated with vegetation that gets its sunlight via advanced “remote skylight” technology.
Being an outsider has its benefits, not the least of which is an ability to think outside the box, according to a joint Johns Hopkins-Cornell study.
Scientists have long suspected that some people’s aversion to cilantro went beyond simple lack of cultural exposure. A series of studies confirms a possible genetic link.
Can’t get enough of young adult fiction even though you’re not exactly a “young adult”? According to a new study, you’re not alone…not by a long shot.
Last month, I published with Dietram Scheufele “The Polarization Paradox: Why Hyperpartisanship Promotes Conservatism and Undermines Liberalism.” We detail in the article how liberals have become more like conservatives in their political […]
A recent study examining social networks’ influence on individual behavior found that online pressure from friends to vote inspires more people to go to the polls.
The Big Think editors have written an official reply to my post criticizing their decision to hire Satoshi Kanazawa. Whatever else I may think of that choice, I appreciate that […]
I was working on an essay not long ago and came across a comment from Twilight author Stephenie Meyer that in her novels she wanted to write about “love, not […]
California-based Blue River Technology has raised over $3 million to commercialize its robot weedkiller, which works using a combination of machine learning and computer vision.
There may be no American artist so linked with specific places and the history of those places as Andrew Wyeth. Wyeth spent his summers in Cushing, Maine, but the other […]
Researchers at MIT have created a communications network for autonomous cars that let them “see” what any other car in the area is seeing upon request. Multiple “eyes”create a continuous and widespread 3D view.
Using a special kind of ink that can only be seen in infrared light, invisible quick-response (QR) codes can now be printed onto regular documents, making them harder for counterfeiters to duplicate.
On the second half of my U.K. trip, we spent a few days in the lovely city of Edinburgh, the capitol of Scotland. My wife Elizabeth has written a thorough […]
In 1937, Nicaragua and Honduras almost went to war… over a stamp.
Relax, says Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit. You can’t beat your Facebook addiction into submission – so schedule it into your work day.
Ed: Brian O’Neill, the co-founder of Waq al-waq, returns home with this piece on today’s attack on the US Embassy in Sanaa. (Before we start, I’d like to thank Greg […]
We’re simply not good at apologizing. It’s awkward at best, says Alain de Botton, and at its worst an apology could lead to “an escalation in anger.” That is why atonement is effective, as a ritual of mutual apologies.
Is Salman Rushdie a blasphemer or a humanizer?
A team of scientists has come up with a way to make voice authentication simpler and, at the same time, much more secure.
In his blog post yesterday, Big Think’s own Adam Lee called into question the editorial standard that would have us introduce evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa as our newest blogger. Kanazawa […]
A company is taking orders for its new skateboard, billed as “the lightest electric vehicle in the world.” With a small remote and motor-activated braking, it could appeal to environmentally conscious people who’ve never skated before.
Drew Nelles has written a fascinating article detailing our species’ history of tackling “criminal activity” of animals. Today, we commonly hear of everyday stories of dangerous animals being “put down”. […]
The influx of glacial researchers into the Himalayas has angered Nepal’s indigenous population, which claims that its needs aren’t being taken into account.
Ron Lindsay, president of the Center for Inquiry, wrote a column about Atheism Plus. I think he has some valid points, but also some concerns that I think are misguided. […]