Dance songs dissolve differences that divide us
People from just about every cultural background use lullabies to soothe babies, write love songs to express romantic feelings, and dance together in synchrony. Human song is used to facilitate specific psychological and social functions in ways that can make music a universal language, Read More...
The case for opening more safe injection sites in cities
More than a decade’s worth of studies have shown that supervised drug consumption sites prevent more drug overdose deaths. The idea goes like this: While in an ideal world no one would use dangerous and potentially deadly drugs, many people do. So it’s better to give these drug users space Read More...
This giant tower is the world’s biggest air purifier
China’s latest attempt to mitigate some of its air pollution is an experimental air purification tower standing 100 meters high in the city of Xian. In preliminary tests, researchers found that the giant tower can improve air quality over an area some 10 square kilometres in size. The smog tower Read More...
Good news curry lovers: Curcumin improves memory and mood
A new study found that curcumin—the substance that gives Indian curry its bright color—improved memory and mood in people with mild, age-related memory loss. Curcumin has previously been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in lab studies, but this is the first time that Read More...
These unmanned electric vessels will set sail in Europe this summer
Dutch manufacturers have created what’s being called the “Tesla of the canals,” a fully electric, emission-free container barge that will operate from the ports of Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam starting this summer. The barges are designed to operate without a crew, although the vessels Read More...
Craving silence? Have a look at this map
Research demonstrates that most of the urban population in the US as well as Europe live with noise levels averaging 50 decibels plus. An average noise of 50 decibels has been shown, in study after study, to increase the level of stress hormones in the human body, and to make us more susceptible to Read More...
What happens if we start solar geo-engineering—and then suddenly stop?
Volcanoes, nuclear war, and solar geo-engineering. With a research portfolio that includes all three, Alan Robock is used to thinking about sudden, catastrophic change. A professor of environmental science at Rutgers University, Robock studies the movement of small particles and liquids through Read More...
Plastic waste: network of water refill points aims to tackle problem
Consumers will be encouraged to refill their water bottles free of charge in tens of thousands of shops, cafes, businesses and water fountains in England under plans announced by the water industry. The national scheme aims to fight the growing scourge of waste created by single-use plastic by Read More...
How to be a leader without having to act like one
It's been largely assumed that to run a successful business today, good leadership is required. But it's not the end of the world for leaders who worry that they're low on charisma or can't stir employees' hearts and minds. Maybe they don't particularly want to, and that's Read More...
Glucose-tracking smart contact lens is comfortable enough to wear
The concept of a smart contact lens has been around for a while. To date, though, they haven't been all that comfortable: they tend to have electronics built into hard substrates that make for a lens which can distort your vision, break down and otherwise cause discomfort. A team of Korean Read More...