As the climate warms, there may be a slight increase in male newborns

"Slight," applied to large populations, could still mean thousands of more boys.

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  • Scientists have long theorized that temperature has some effect on the sex ratios of populations.
  • Recent research shows links between rising temperatures and increases in the ratio of male newborns.
  • Nobody can say exactly whether temperature causes changes in sex ratio, however it's likely that climate change will force humans to adapt in ways we can't yet anticipate.
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Are cats jerks? Or are YOU the jerk?

A new study from Oregon State University makes it clear: it's you.

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  • Researchers discovered that the more attention you give a cat, the more likely they are to return it.
  • Cats are territorial; being in their home environment greatly affects their attitude.
  • The common wisdom that cats are aloof is provably false.
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Similar ideas between Buddhism and Western psychology

Buddhism and Western science converge on a number of ideas.

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  • Modern psychologists attribute less power to the conscious self.
  • Buddhism has significant insight on how to counter listless states of desire.
  • Doubting the ego just might be good for the ego itself.
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12 geniuses and their thoughts about nature

They marveled at it.

Photo credit: Ian Espinosa on Unsplash
  • Stop and reflect on what nature meant for some of the greatest scientists and artists.
  • Explore philosopher, Alan Watts' take on the interconnectedness of the world.
  • Nature is known to evoke sublime literature and imagery.
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Space toilets: How astronauts boldly go where few have gone before

A NASA astronomer explains how astronauts dispose of their, uh, dark matter.

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  • When nature calls in micro-gravity, astronauts must answer. Space agencies have developed suction-based toilets – with a camera built in to ensure all the waste is contained before "flushing".
  • Yes, there have been floaters in space. The early days of space exploration were a learning curve!
  • Amazingly, you don't need gravity to digest food. Peristalsis, the process by which your throat and intestines squeeze themselves, actually moves food and water through your digestive system without gravity at all.
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