Why are We Drawn to Mona Lisa’s Smile?

February 20, 2003
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the 1500s, is famous for her mysterious smile. We're fascinated by the smile because it disappears when it's looked at directly, says Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. It's only apparent when... continued

New Theory of How Moon Created

February 20, 2003
Despite the fact that we're able to send probes far out into the universe, we still don't know how our own Moon was created. Astrophysicist Dr. Robin Canup has a new theory?he says the Moon was created in a double... continued

Key Shuttle Debris May be Lost Forever

February 20, 2003
The space shuttle Columbia started shedding debris as it flew over California, but these crucial first pieces may never be found, because they probably burned up in the atmosphere. To survive the descent to the ground, debris would have "to... continued

Botox Gives You Wrinkles

February 19, 2003
People who have botox injections to get rid of their wrinkles may develop new ones as a result of the treatment. Dr. David Becker says people unconsciously recreate facial expressions in the areas where their facial muscles have been paralyzed.... continued

New Critters Taking Over

February 19, 2003
Invasive species often thrive in new environments and overrun native species because they have an unfair advantage. "Invasive species end up with about half the parasites, or diseases, they had at home," says U.S. Geological Survey ecologist Kevin Lafferty. "Parasites... continued

Special Soldiers Have Different Brains

February 19, 2003
Special Forces soldiers have neurological differences that make them less likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than the average soldier. A study of soldiers based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, found that Green Berets were much less likely to suffer... continued

U.S. Plans to Dump Saudis

February 19, 2003
The U.S. plans to move its troops from Saudi Arabia to Iraq, after the war there. The new U.S. national security policy will promote democracy in the Middle East and launch an offensive against terrorists, as well as their state... continued

Monarchs Will be Back

February 18, 2003
A year ago, we reported that due to a severe winter storm, millions of Monarch butterflies were lying dead in piles more than a foot high in their winter reserve in Mexico. Now the New York Times of February 14... continued

Spotting Graffiti from Space

February 18, 2003
Satellites can pinpoint the location of graffiti taggers fast enough to catch them in the act. TaggerTrap is being tested in several California cities and uses cell phones and special sensors that recognize the ultrasonic hiss of spray cans. "The... continued

Japan May Strike First

February 18, 2003
Japan is ready to launch a pre-emptive strike on North Korea if it believes it will launch missiles against it. Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba says, "It is too late if [a missile] flies towards Japan. Our nation will use military... continued