Robots May Destroy Human Civilization

December 14, 2012
Scientists and philosophers in the UK are studying the likelihood of robots taking over and destroying our world. The Center for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) will study the dangers posed by biotechnology, artificial life, nanotechnology and climate change.... continued

Cigarette Butts Make a Cozy Nest

December 14, 2012
At last: Something GOOD about smoking! Birds in Mexico City are lining their nests with cigarette butts they pick up off the street, and scientists have discovered that they repel pests and keep the baby birds warm. They're filling their... continued

Digging Them Up

December 14, 2012
A record number of buried bodies are being exhumed lately. The body of the former Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat is being tested to see if his sudden death in 2004 was caused by poison (they suspect the Israelis, naturally). Suspicious... continued

How Much is the Earth Melting?

December 14, 2012
We didn't really know--until now. The ocean, which has risen an average of 8 inches since 1900, should rise another 3 feet or so by 2100, but without an accurate record of where we started, we can't know if the... continued

Can Fracking Water be Cleaned Up?

December 13, 2012
You may not know it, but you're probably drinking recycled water right now. But water from "Fracking?" The process uses as much water as the entire cities of Chicago or Houston, but can it be made safe to drink? It... continued

The PERFECT Christmas Gift!

December 12, 2012
The perfect gift to give for Christmas is our exquisite crop circle calendar, and the person you give it to won't see it anywhere else, we're the only place in the United States where you can get this, and if... continued

Why Do We Get the Flu in the Winter?

December 12, 2012
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, has distinct transmission patterns around the world. In temperate regions, influenza's occurrence peaks during the winter season, while in some tropical regions, the disease's occurrence tends to correspond with the rainy season. This season,... continued

The Science of Gift Giving

December 12, 2012
When we buy someone a present, most of us try to get inside mind of the recipient, but thoughtful gifts--where you try to give someone what they want the most--are NOT the best bet. The giving of a thoughtful gift... continued

Don’t Develop New Drugs, Reuse the Old

December 12, 2012
Did you know that Viagra was first developed as a drug for heart disease, before it became a drug for erectile dysfunction? Or that Rogaine, which is now a baldness treatment, was originally used to treat high blood pressure? One... continued

Search for the Perfect Tree

December 11, 2012
If you decide to go for a real Christmas tree, instead of a fake, you'll be faced with the problem of falling needles, as the tree dries out. A seven foot evergreen will bear 350,000 needles and drop most of... continued