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The Science of Fright: Why We Love to Be Scared

Whether we love or hate to experience fear, it’s hard to deny that we certainly revere it – devoting an entire holiday to the celebration of fear.

Can We Really Know What Animals Are Thinking?

Despite having considerable evidence animals think, we are in the awkward position of being unable to say precisely what they think.

Have Scientists Finally Killed Off the Loch Ness Monster?

Science being science, we can never say with total confidence that there is no Loch Ness Monster.

Why Do People Believe in Curses?

Endorsement of curses may stem from the desire to make sense of the world, to ascribe meaning to chaos.

Evolution Doesn’t Proceed in a Straight Line – So Why Draw It That Way?

Evolution doesn’t follow a preordained, straight path, yet in images from museum displays to editorial cartoons, evolution is depicted as a linear progression from primitive to advanced.

Large-Scale Study Bolsters Notion That Genetics Contribute to Sexual Orientation

The findings do not identify a “gay gene” but contribute to a body of research suggesting myriad genes likely contribute to sexuality.

Amazon Fires Are Destructive, But They Aren’t Depleting Earth’s Oxygen Supply

The oft-repeated claim that the Amazon rainforest produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen is based on a misunderstanding.

Polish Village Hasn’t Seen a Boy Born in Nearly 10 Years

The tiny Polish village of Miejsce Odrzanskie has become the unlikely source of international media attention as a result of “a strange population anomaly”.

Is LaCroix Sparkling Water Full of Dangerous Synthetic Chemicals?

LaCroix’s parent company is being sued over the allegedly false claim that the product is “all natural.” The chemicals identified in the lawsuit, however, are both safe and naturally occurring.

A Breakdown of Everything Wrong in That “Shocking Secrets of the Food Industry” Viral Video

None of the items described in the video could accurately be described as either shocking or secret.

Facing Criticism Over Past Climate Reporting, BBC Commits to Reining in “False Balance”

“You do not need a denier to balance the debate,” read a briefing sent to the BBC editorial staff.

Cancer, Juries, and Scientific Certainty: The Monsanto Roundup Ruling Explained

Juries sometimes render verdicts on scientific questions, but that doesn’t mean their verdict is always accepted by the scientific community at large.