SCIENCE

Why Computer Scientists Are Studying Tom Hanks's Face

Computer scientists at the University of Washington are trying to figure out just what makes Tom Hanks look like Tom Hanks.

Clarke et al., Frontiers in Psychology (2015)

Linguists Determine the Best Way to Give Directions

Lead with a landmark.

Danielle Futselaar // SETI International

There Is No Alien Megastructure in Our Galaxy After All

Theories that a flickering star was really a structure harnessing energy have been debunked.

Mike Carroll/College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University

First Puppies Born Through IVF

A beagle at Cornell successfully gave birth to the seven puppies conceived through in vitro fertilization.

Posting a Status Update? It’s Probably Out of Envy, Study Says

A new study of German college students finds envy often drives social networking.

Andrew Leonard, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Seattle Just Had Its Darkest Day in Nine Years

The combination of thick clouds, steady rain, Seattle’s high latitude, and the sun’s low angle created the seriously gloomy conditions.

Unhappiness Does Not Cause Illness, Say Researchers

A new paper concludes that people are unhappy because they’re sick, not the other way around.

Cockroaches Can Communicate Through Gut Bacteria

The cockroach microbiome is responsible for the insects’ ability to find friends, a new study finds.

Slacktivists Aren’t Completely Useless, Study Argues

Participating in social movements exclusively online helps spread the message, even if you don’t actually attend any of the protests.

This Earth-Friendly Drone Is Made From Biodegradable Fungus

This drone is designed to crash with minimal environmental impact.

Watch Bill Nye Explain Dreams Using Emojis

In just under two minutes, Nye uses emojis to explain the science of sleep.

Ant Colonies Earn Their 'Superorganism' Reputation

A new study shows that ant colonies act like “a single organism would in response to attacks on different parts of its body.”

Newly Discovered Visual Sensors Aid Sperm’s Movement

Meal Deliveries Can Reduce Older People's Loneliness

A new study finds that daily meal deliveries reduce loneliness.

The First Penis Transplant in the U.S. Planned for Soldier

Johns Hopkins University surgeons are planning giving a soldier wounded in Afghanistan a working penis within a year.

Cats Invaded Australia in the 19th Century, Study Finds

A genetic analysis of Australia’s feral cats suggest that cats probably made their way to the continent during the period of European exploration.

It Takes One Penguin to Break Up a Huddle

Even in the coldest place on earth, this heat-conserving method can work a little too well.

Hoverfly (Eupeodes corollae) by Thomas Bresson via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

Non-Bee Insects Are Important Pollinators, Too

Scientists find that other bugs may be just as busy as bees.

Carla Nunziata via Wikimedia Commons // CC-BY-SA 3.0

Organism Designers Hack Biology to Make Smells From Scratch

They pry apart yeast DNA and insert new and useful traits.

15 Things You Might Not Know About Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man

Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man" has evolved over the past five centuries from a thoughtful sketch into the picture of health. But the history behind this sketch is as curious as its image is omnipresent.

Christian Grill, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

In a First for Fish, Needlefish Attack Prey from the Air

Off the east coast of Australia, some fish are doing something funny.

Why Can't I Sleep In On Weekends Anymore?

Short answer: Your internal clock doesn’t care what day it is.

Running Ultramarathons May Shrink Your Brain

That’s the bad news. The good news is that the effect is temporary.

What Happens When Water Comes in Contact With Your Touchscreen

Here's why your phone can be foiled by a drop of sweat.

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