Topic: Research

How to Use the Oregon Medicaid Study to Your Ideological Advantage

Dr. Ora Botwinick examines Dahlia Arbella, 5, at the Multnomah County's North Portland Health Center Monday, June 18, 2012, in Portland, Ore.
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

A once-in-a-generation new health insurance study has health care wonks lining up to declare it an indictment or defense of the future of Obamacare. Who should you believe?

By Adam Clark Estes

Mar 21, 2013

IBM's Newest Invention Mimics the Human Brain on an Atomic Level

Here's a headline you've probably seen before: "IBM creates brain-like computer chip." Here's a more exciting one: "New IBM circuit works in three dimensions, flips switches with atoms."

Comments | 5,887 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Mar 3, 2013

Newborn Baby Cured of HIV, No One's Really Sure How

Medical researchers dropped their microscopes on Sunday when a team of doctors from Mississippi revealed that an infant in their care was born with HIV and cured two years later. Dr. Hannah Gay, who treated the baby, dropped the mic.

Comments | 4,204 Views

By David Wagner

Feb 20, 2013

The Viral 48-Shot Starbucks Frappucino Could Have Been Fatal

A Washington state man celebrated his birthday this year by treating himself to the most expensive drink you can custom-order at Starbucks. Let's hope he didn't chug that toxic — and potentially lethal — dose of caffeine in one sitting. 

Comments | 5,000 Views

By David Wagner

Feb 19, 2013

There's Good News and Bad News About This New SARS-Like Virus

A new SARS-like virus claimed its sixth victim today, raising further concern about an outbreak that emerged last year in the Middle East. But new research suggests that the pathogen — while well-adapted to infecting humans — may be treatable. 

Comments | 1,166 Views

By David Wagner

Feb 18, 2013

Why Some Scientists Aren't Happy About Obama's $3 Billion Brain Research Plan

Funding-strapped researchers should be rejoicing at Obama's promise to put $3 billion towards mapping the human brain, right? Not according to scientists who say the project lacks clear goals and gobbles up money that could've gone to a lot more smaller studies.

Comments | 8,218 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Feb 11, 2013

Babies Are Smarter Than You Think

It's always been tough to understand how babies' brains work, since they can't talk and don't take well to being stuffed into an MRI machine. But new technology is changing all that. 

Comments | 4,483 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 27, 2012

This College Student's 'Turtle Project' Proves Humans Are Jerks

Nathan Weaver was trying to figure out how to make it safer for turtles to cross highways. What he ended up finding was that there will always be drivers who intentionally run over or try and aim their vehicles at the defenseless reptiles.

Comments | 4,402 Views

By David Wagner

Dec 17, 2012

What Does It Mean That Adam Lanza Might Not Have Been Able to Feel Pain?

An official at Newtown High School has said that the Sandy Hook shooter appeared to feel no physical pain, suggesting he may have been congenitally insensitive to it. Research has shown that such conditions can sometimes lead to empathy problems.

Comments | 30,133 Views

By David Wagner

Oct 25, 2012

Today in Research

Dinosaurs Flew Earlier Than Thought; Many Mistakenly Think Chemotherapy Can Cure

Discovered: Winged dinosaurs arrived earlier than thought; too much trust in chemotherapy; don't let your toddlers drink eyedrops; a study that studies studies which boast "very large effects."

Comments | 3,126 Views

By David Wagner

Oct 24, 2012

Today in Green Research

Perfect Weather for Malaria; Fertilizing the Ocean with Iron to Save Salmon

Discovered: The temperature at which malaria thrives; 140 billion cubic meters of gas goes up in flames every year; seafloor methane could rise; could iron boost fish populations?

Comments | 1,035 Views

By Jen Doll

Oct 22, 2012

When Women Behave Like Men

Could ladies be as cheating-prone as their husbands? Could this be because of "gender equality"? There's some recent research indicating that "unfaithfulness among wives may be approaching that of husbands."

Comments | 3,867 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Oct 17, 2012

Young Blood Reverses the Signs of Aging

The world has long been fascinated with the idea that the blood of young people could have rejuvenating qualities, like a glorious fountain of youth, only horrifying. Turns out the world is sort of right. 

Comments | 4,215 Views

By David Wagner

Oct 8, 2012

Today in Research

Inoculating Against Fat Rolls; This Is Your Brain on Dreams

Discovered: A shot that reduces double chins; sleeping brains act like they're trying to remember something; research à la carte; a dizzying earthquake simulation machine.

Comments | 3,621 Views

By Jen Doll

Sep 28, 2012

Does Sharing Housework Really Lead to Divorce?

There's a study in the news that's bound to get a bunch of people talking (Drudge tweeted it this morning, for instance, with more than 100 retweets). Whether those people are for or against its pronouncements, it seems to fly in the face of what we thought we knew about marriage, gender equality, and the way modern, successful relationships work.

Comments | 11,179 Views

By Dashiell Bennett

Sep 21, 2012

Life Expectancy Is Shrinking for Some White People

Researchers have found a disturbing trend while examining life expectancy in the United States, as the least educated white Americans have actually seen a massive drop in number of years that they live.

Comments | 1,097 Views

By Dashiell Bennett

Sep 20, 2012

Other Scientists Are Skeptical of New Genetically Modified Corn Study

A group of French researchers published a study yesterday linking Monsanto's genetically modified corn to cancer in rats, but other food scientists aren't convinced the data holds water

Comments | 2,573 Views

By Jen Doll

Aug 24, 2012

The Moral Decline in the Words We Use

If the frequency of word usage "related to moral excellence and virtue" in the Google Books archive is to be believed, America is in a steep moral decline.

Comments | 15,001 Views

By Jen Doll

Jul 31, 2012

The Key to Success May Be Lying to Yourself

Aren't we supposed to be honest with ourselves, and with others? Maybe we're "supposed" to be, but a lot of new research indicates that most of us are lying to ourselves "at least some of the time." And maybe that's great! 

Comments | 2,287 Views

By Connor Simpson

Jul 10, 2012

An Investigation of the 'Arrested Development' Writer's Room

Ron Howard is a wonderful, charitable man for tweeting this picture from the Arrested Development writer's room. But what can we learn from it? This is our forensic investigation of the Arrested Development writer's room based on one blurry cell phone picture:

Comments | 1,267 Views

By Adam Martin

May 18, 2012

'Gay Cure' Researcher Robert Spitzer Is Trying to Do Right

Gay rights are certainly having a moment, which makes this a good time to revisit the career of Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, who helped change psychiatry's definition of homosexuality away from a "disorder" but also lent his substantial influence to a study supporting a "gay cure."

Comments | 1,340 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

May 17, 2012

The Science News Cycle of Life: Rise, Fall, and Renewal

Today a science story was born and killed in just hours: this morning science lifted our spirits with this finding that coffee made us live a little longer, Wonkblog's Sarah Kliff gets all smarty pants on us by debunking the finding with this contrarian headline: "No, drinking coffee probably won’t make you live longer."

Comments | 4,384 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Mar 7, 2012

Today in Research

Understanding the Man in the Moon; Yoga Is Good for Health

Discovered: Why we see the man in the moon, yoga is good for our health, a new species of shark and the first ever image of atoms forming molecules.  

Comments | 1,502 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Mar 5, 2012

Today in Research

Emotional Computers; Parents Don't Know Where Their Kids Are

Discovered: An anti-drinking drug, emotional computers, parents don't know where there kids are sometimes, there's oxygen and possibly life on Saturn's moon, and a creature that sees without eyes. 

Comments | 1,455 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 29, 2012

Today in Research

The Right Age to Be Fat; A Possible Sugar-Related Cure for Alzheimer's

Discovered: The right age to get fat, a possible sugary cure for Alzheimer's, coffee will not kill us, and there's a decent chance the sun will explode. 

Comments | 1,791 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 27, 2012

Today in Research

Flu Vaccines for All; Healthy Video Games Don't Exist

Discovered: A magical flu vaccine, there's no such thing as a healthy video game, a quantum microphone, nicotine mouth spray, your boyfriend may think you're fatter than you are.

Comments | 2,030 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 22, 2012

Today in Research

An Off Switch for Pain; Charging Cell Phones with Fingers

Discovered: An off switch for pain, a finger-powered cell phone charger, what your ear of choice says about your brain, the clouds are coming for us, and buckyballs in space. 

Comments | 3,117 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 20, 2012

Today in Research

What's Inside the Moon; The End of Moore's Law

Discovered: What the moon's insides look like, the tiniest transistor of all time, climate change is killing alpine chipmunks, and get ready for test-tube hamburgers. 

Comments | 2,640 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 17, 2012

Today in Research

Gecko Foot Glue; When Alcohol Is a Health Food

Discovered: Glue from gecko feet, alcohol as a health food, sleeping your way to memory loss, and pregnant women should get dogs. 

 

Comments | 2,414 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 16, 2012

Today in Research

Goats Have Accents; Vaccines Still Don't Cause Autism

Discovered: Goats can develop accents, drinking alcohol shrinks brains, another study confirms vaccines don't cause autism. 

Comments | 2,092 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 15, 2012

Today in Research

Is Weight Loss Contagious?; Motherhood Is 'Detrimental' to Scientific Careers

Discovered: Weight loss might be contagious, just thinking about kids ruins women scientists, a new black hole, the Internet does not help failing relationships. 

Comments | 2,527 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 14, 2012

Today in Research

Electric Cars Still Generate Pollutants; Babies Understand Everything

Discovered: Electric cars aren't so green after-all, another earthquake on the way for Fukushima?, hearing aids are not popular, everyone hates their bosses, babies understand language. 

Comments | 3,889 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 13, 2012

Today in Research

How to Eat Your Memories; Estrogen Makes Male Snakes Sex Crazy

Discovered: What eating does to the brain, estrogen makes male snakes crazy, and nobody knows anything about kids' sleep.

Comments | 2,657 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 10, 2012

Today in Research

This Is How the Zebra Got Its Stripes; Driving High Doubles Accident Risk

Discovered: How the zebra got its stripes, driving high is not safe, Spanish teens are squares, what caused Snowmaggedon, a drug that reverses Alzheimers. 

Comments | 966 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 9, 2012

Today in Research

The Glaciers Are Melting by the Billions of Tons; Fourth Warmest January Ever

Discovered: 150 billion tons of glaciers melt each year, the fourth warmest January recorded, a rehab app, female fertility changes the way men speak, the benefits of a normal name. 

Comments | 4,507 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 8, 2012

Today in Research

Mars's Ocean; Cake's OK for Breakfast

Discovered: Mars's ocean, it's OK to eat cake for breakfast, giving the middle finger is harder than it looks.

Comments | 2,179 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 8, 2012

Russian Scientists Reach Freshwater Lake Beneath Antarctica

Russian scientists in Antarctica have reached a freshwater lake hidden beneath two miles of ice, but we won't get to find out what lurks beneath for quite sometime. 

Comments | 1,982 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 7, 2012

Today in Research

The Oldest Painting Ever; High Cancer Rates for 9/11 Heroes

Discovered: The oldest painting ever, high cancer rates for 9/11 heroes, slang does not equal stupidity, spinning is like having a heart attack, the gender wage gap is getting better, faster. 

Comments | 1,583 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 6, 2012

Today in Research

Online Dating Is Not Scientific; Sugar Is Toxic

Discovered: Online dating is a crock, sugar is toxic, mapping the Milky Way and church as a weight loss management technique. 

Comments | 3,662 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 3, 2012

Today in Research

Twitter More Addictive Than Alcohol; A Potentially Habitable Super Earth

Discovered: Twitter addiction, Super Earth, there's a possibility obesity is infectious, 1.2 million malaria deaths, drinking coffee has at least one health benefit for a small set of people. 

Comments | 4,251 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Feb 2, 2012

Today in Research

Jellyfish Are Not Taking Over; Facebook Makes Low Self-Esteem Lower

Discovered: There is not a jellyfish epidemic, Facebook is bad for people with low self-esteem, the case for massages, so many useless tweets. 

Comments | 1,875 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 31, 2012

Today in Research

A Definitive Answer on Drinking and Health; The Cost of Sperm

Discovered: The deal with drinking and health, the cost of sperm, mom's love makes you smarter, tomatoes cure cancer, a sloshing galaxy. 

Comments | 2,971 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 30, 2012

Today in Research

Male Contraception; About That Little Ice Age

Research: A promising male contraception technique, what started the Little Ice Age, milk does it again, the importance of kindergarten. 

Comments | 4,392 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 27, 2012

Today in Research

Lubrication Can Be Good, Caffeine Can Be Bad

Discovered: lube works, caffeine alters estrogen levels, rap meets medicine and conspiracy theorists don't care about the truth. 

Comments | 5,732 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 26, 2012

Today in Research

An Even Better Invisibility Cloak; Crime Is Genetic

Discovered: An even better invisibility cloak, the crime genes, working hard is depressing, the speed limit of particles, and heart attack deaths halved over the last 10 years. 

Comments | 1,530 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 25, 2012

Today in Research

'The Most Amazing High Definition Image of the Earth'; Technology Makes Tween Girls Sad

Discovered: Best photo of the Earth, ever, what technology is doing to young girls, the super-flu isn't so super after-all, party hosts party hardest, eating marine mammals is a thing. 

Comments | 6,808 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 24, 2012

Today in Research

A Bacon Nose Bleed Remedy; Stem Cell Breakthrough

Discovered: A tasty, pork-based nose bleed remedy, stem cells work, magnetic soap, cancer doesn't stop smokers, and the very real benefits of monogamy. 

Comments | 7,245 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 19, 2012

Today in Research

19,000 New Species; The Choking Game Trend

Discovered: 19,232 new species, the Choking Game trend, marriage isn't all that healthy after-all, a miracle tree, mental-illness abounds, challenging the women are bad at math research. 

 

Comments | 3,201 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 18, 2012

Today in Research

The Computer of the Future; Gossip as Therapy

Discovered: A new type of computer, gossiping is healthy, why even the rich stop spending during a recession, 6.7 million bat deaths and how fruit flies navigate. 

Comments | 724 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Jan 17, 2012

Today in Research

Headphones Are Deadly; Americans Are Still Fat

Discovered: the dangers of headphones for pedestrians, troubling obesity rate numbers, our sun's future, and the impact of medical marijuana on traffic accidents. 

Comments | 5,133 Views

By Eric Randall

Jan 16, 2012

Today in Research

La Niña and Flu Outbreaks; Men Overspend When Women Are Scarce

Discovered: La Niña weather patterns could cause pandemics, when men outnumber women they tend to spend more, and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle gets an update. 

Comments | 1,381 Views

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