Latest Insights & Analysis

Stay updated with the latest public health research, commentary, and field notes from our editorial team.

Featured Story

The New Techno-Eschatology: AGI and Secular Religion

March 25, 2025 · 5 min read

Some techies today fear hell—not from a god, but from a computer.  Human beings have a habit of wrapping up big unknowns in familiar stories. Even in our high-tech, secular age, the quest to create Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) often comes with a kind of religious or end-of-the-world fervor. Some communities of self-described rationalists speak […]

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Society

The Forgotten Plague: Unveiling Neolithic Europe’s Hidden Epidemic

In a remote corner of history, a mystery lay buried beneath the rolling landscapes of Scandinavia. This story begins with the ancient inhabitants of Europe, who lived during a transformative era known as the Neolithic period. Around 5,300 to 4,900 years ago, these early farmers experienced a sudden and puzzling decline. The question of what […]

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Announcements

Next Week in Science: July 19, 2024

Well, we’ve got some good stuff next week. Here in the northeast, it’s almost cicada time, so we’re on the lookout for the incessant chrrrrrrrrrrr. Truth be told, I really like it. Cicadas rock, and my kids love picking their shells off the trees. Join the Science Adventure: Stay updated with the latest discoveries in […]

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Economics

Why Do People Choose Goods Over Cash?

Imagine you’re given a choice: a $10 bill or $10 worth of groceries. Which would you pick? It might seem like an obvious choice—cash gives you more flexibility. But, surprisingly, many people prefer receiving goods instead. This seemingly simple preference can have big implications for how we design social welfare programs. A recent study sheds […]

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Biology

How Swearing Can Help Ease F-ing Pain

We’ve all been there. You stub your toe, hit your funny bone, or get a paper cut, and a colorful expletive flies out of your mouth. While it might seem like just a reflex, there’s actually science behind this instinctive reaction. Swearing, it turns out, can help alleviate pain. But how exactly does it work, […]

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Biology

Discovering Spider Venom: A Peek into Nature’s Chemistry

Imagine a world where even the smallest creatures wield the power to immobilize prey and defend against threats with a single bite. This power lies in venom—a complex cocktail of bioactive molecules that nature has perfected over millions of years. Venomous animals, including snakes, scorpions, and spiders, use this potent secretion to hunt and protect […]

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Environment

City Trees: Growing More Than Just Green

Urban street trees are vital for city life, offering shade, cleaner air, and even boosting mental well-being. New York City, a bustling metropolis, understands this well and conducts a tree census every decade to track its green inhabitants. But how do these trees grow over time, and what affects their growth rates? A recent study […]

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Environment

Vigilant Finches: Balancing Safety and Survival

Imagine a tranquil waterhole in the heart of Australia’s tropical savannah. It’s early morning, and the air is filled with the melodic chirping of Gouldian finches. These colorful birds are not just enjoying a refreshing drink; they are constantly on high alert. Their vigilant behavior at waterholes reveals fascinating insights into how animals balance the […]

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Announcements

Next Week in Science, July 12, 2024

Have you ever had temporal hallucinations? Like, time seems to be passing too fast or too slow? I was watching a Game of Thrones clip this morning, and the playback seemed….off. So, it got me thinking and reading. We’ll have more of that next week! Transform Your Science World: Get the latest and most inspiring […]

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Psychology

Tips for Reducing Weight Bias

Weight bias is a pervasive issue that affects individuals of all body sizes, leading to discrimination, social exclusion, and mental health challenges, and we’ve written about past studies. Despite growing awareness, combating weight bias remains a significant challenge. This blog provides practical tips to help reduce weight bias and promote inclusivity, fostering a more accepting […]

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