Studies

How Easy Is It to Make Ricin?

Two letters addressed to the Pentagon tested positive for the toxin, which is made from readily available ingredients.

• Sarah Zhang
• October 3, 2018

Alt History

How a self-published, racist novel changed white nationalism and inspired decades of violence

• J.M. Berger
• September 16, 2016

Cancer: The Final Frontier

Landmark breakthroughs in cancer treatment and a policy structure where those advances can flourish have given fuel to the ambitious “Moonshot” to cure the disease. But is it really possible?

• Vann R. Newkirk II
• April 21, 2016

The Rise of Work-Doping

The drug modafinil was recently found to enhance cognition in healthy people. Should you take it to get a raise?

• Olga Khazan
• August 27, 2015

Study: Exercise Helps Aging Brains Grow Larger

Doing aerobic exercise twice a week for 26 weeks significantly increased the volume of older women's hippocampi—the region of the brain associated with memory.

• Julie Beck
• April 8, 2014

Study: Homophobic Lives are 2.5 Years Shorter

Anti-gay prejudice is significantly linked to earlier death.

• Julie Beck
• February 21, 2014

Study: Ordinary Experiences Make Us Happier as We Get Older

Extraordinary moments provide happiness throughout life, but as we realize our days our numbered, the small moments count for more.

• Julie Beck
• February 12, 2014

Study: Feeling In Control Prolongs Life

Having a strong sense of control over your circumstances reduces the risk of dying by 13 percent, and can offset the negative health effects of getting less education.

• Julie Beck
• February 7, 2014

Study: Feeling Small Makes People More Paranoid

Women made shorter in a virtual reality situation compared themselves more negatively to others and reported more paranoid feelings.

• Julie Beck
• January 31, 2014

Study: Believing You’ve Slept Well, Even If You Haven't, Improves Performance

The positive effects of "placebo sleep" 

• Julie Beck
• January 24, 2014

Study: For a Calmer Office, Dim the Lights

Bright lights, big emotions.

• Julie Beck
• January 14, 2014

Study: Fight Performance Anxiety by Getting Excited

"Calm down" might not be the best advice before public speaking.

• Julie Beck
• January 8, 2014

Don't Think Too Much After a Concussion

Children take longer to return to full cognitive function after a concussion than adults, and their return to cognitive and physical activity should be gradual

• Jessica Lahey
• January 7, 2014

Study: Training Brains for Self-Control May Not Help in the Real World

Researchers saw changes in the brain after training exercises, but only for specific tasks. 

• Julie Beck
• January 3, 2014

Study: Jokes Can Indeed Be 'Too Soon'

Hurricane humor was least funny 15 days after the event, and funniest 36 days after.

• Julie Beck
• December 18, 2013

Study: Long Distance Relationships Can Work

Greater distance apart actually predicted more intimacy, communication, and satisfaction.

• Julie Beck
• December 13, 2013

Study: Fast-Food Culture Hinders Our Ability to Savor Life

Subjects exposed to images of fast food seemed less able to enjoy simple pleasures.

• Julie Beck
• November 21, 2013

Study: Morning People Win

Students who went to bed late got lower grades and had more emotional distress later in life.

• Julie Beck
• November 12, 2013

Study: Black Students With Black Teachers Have Lower Rates of Teen Pregnancy

Minority role models seem to be at the heart of some positive outcomes for students.

• Julie Beck
• November 7, 2013