Which Ancient City Is Considered the Oldest in the World?
Archaeologists still debate which city came first — let alone how to define one in the first place. But a few settlements offer illuminating views of early urban life. ...read more
Author: Vishay Singh
How Reading Fiction Increases Empathy and Encourages Understanding
There might some truth to the beloved quote, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies." Researchers say reading fiction can show us different viewpoints — and shape how we relate to each other. ...read more
This Equation Calculates the Chances We Live in a Computer Simulation
And scuttles any possibility that we might ever escape. ...read more
What Good Do Brain Games Do? A Virtual Study Is Putting Them to the Test and You Can Help
This summer, the FDA approved a game-based treatment for ADHD. Now, the first large study of brain games is underway and may add more legitimacy to the field. ...read more
The Budding Plant Parent’s Guide to Fixing Common Houseplant Problems
What new plant moms and dads need to know to help indoor plants thrive — or at least, stay alive. ...read more
How do Planets Form? NASA Wants Your Help Finding Out
A NASA citizen science project called Disk Detective enlists volunteers to study images of solar systems as they're forming. ...read more
Cloth Masks Do Protect the Wearer — Breathing in Less Coronavirus Means You Get Less Sick
When people wear masks, they can still get infected, but they’re more likely to have milder symptoms. ...read more
New COVID-19 Saliva Tests Are Cheaper and Faster Than Nose Swabs. Here’s How They Work
Some universities are using spit tests to tests students for coronavirus. But a wider roll out could transform the diagnosis of COVID-19. ...read more
A Little-Known Technology Change Will Make Video Streaming Cheaper and Pave the Way for Higher Quality
A new standard for how videos are sent through the internet and read by your computer could make the digital world more inclusive, says media scholar Jason Schmitt. ...read more
Kids Are Bigger Coronavirus Spreaders Than Many Doctors Realized — Here’s How Schools Can Lower the Risk
Checking for symptoms is just the beginning. Here are 10 ways schools can help keep children, families and faculty safe. ...read more