archive
Deceptive Cadence
Do Orchestras Really Need Conductors?
November 27, 2012 A computer science study shows that when an orchestra's musicians closely follow the lead of the conductor, rather than one another, they produce better music.
Science
Experiments That Keep Going And Going And Going
November 23, 2012 Some scientific research can't be completed in days or months — projects can take years, or even decades or centuries. This poses a challenge for scientists who must make plans for experiments that often outlive the experimenter.
Shots - Health News
Scientists Get A New Look At Einstein's Brain
November 23, 2012 What made Einstein a genius? Maybe his weirdly curvy brain had something to do with it. Scientists have recently analyzed photos from the 1950s to try to figure out what made the genius tick.
Environment
An Arbor Embolism? Why Trees Die In Drought
November 23, 2012 Scientists who study forests say they've discovered something disturbing about the way prolonged drought affects trees. When drought dries out the soil, a tree has to suck harder to draw in water. But that increases the risk of drawing in dangerous and deadly air bubbles.
Shots - Health News
When Fetuses Yawn In The Womb
November 21, 2012 Ultrasound often catches fetuses opening their mouths, but whether they're really yawning or not has been up for debate. Now, with some fancy ultrasound techniques, scientists have show that babies do indeed yawn in the womb.
Shots - Health News
Mental Disorders And Evolution: What Would Darwin Say About Schizophrenia?
November 16, 2012 Given the pressure of evolution, why have genes behind schizophrenia, autism and others disorders persisted? A study that looks at the likelihood someone is to have kids tries to figure it out.
Shots - Health News
A Peek Inside Rappers' Brains Shows Roots Of Improvisation
November 15, 2012 Scientists have found rappers and jazz musicians use their brains in similar ways when it comes to improvisation. Brain scans show distinct differences in which parts of the brain are most active during rap performances of memorized pieces compared with those that are done freestyle.