Some highlights:
The Controversial Search for Genius in the Remains of Einstein's Brain
A tale of sloppy science, a not-so-remarkable brain, and the rise of a more nuanced understanding of intelligence. | Inverse | March 19, 2022
Cord blood helped cure a woman of HIV. Can it treat other diseases, too?
The new approach raises hopes for helping more people. | Inverse | February 25, 2022
A ‘living’ cancer drug helped two patients stay disease-free for a decade
CAR T-cell therapy and related therapies that harness immune cells are getting closer to a 'cure' for some cancers, clinicians say. | Popular Science | February 17, 2022
Mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines could provide superior immunity
The approach could prompt a powerful immune response. | Popular Science | October 21,2021
Why most diets don’t work—and what to try instead
Taking the focus off weight loss may help your health in the long run. | Popular Science | September 27, 2021
Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks
The safest way to celebrate is still at home. | Popular Science | February 5, 2021
COVID-19 testing can’t guarantee a safe Thanksgiving. Here’s why.
The CDC is urging Americans not to travel for the holiday. | Popular Science | November 23, 2020
This scientist studies alchemy to turn historical handicrafts into modern innovations
Some of the best science lies in the designs of really old stuff. | Popular Science | Spring 2020, Origins issue
Why do so many diseases come from bats?
Many viruses originate in bats, but that doesn’t mean we should live in fear of them. | Popular Science | May 6, 2020
Forget props and fixed wings. New bio-inspired drones mimic birds, bats and bugs
Researchers see big things for the tiny flying machines | NBC News MACH | July 30, 2019
New companion robots can't do much but make us love them
With those big eyes and rounded bodies, who could resist them? | NBC News MACH | June 23, 2019
The science of serial killers is changing
In-depth analysis of murderers might help the rest of us, too. | Popular Science| March 7, 2019
Civil War study shows father's stress affects son's lifespan
It's part of the growing field of human epigenetics. | NBC News MACH | Nov. 9, 2018
How to remove cactus spines (including ones stuck in your throat)
Experts weigh in on a prickly predicament. | Popular Science | May 4, 2018
Why Nancy Chen Is Mapping the Family Tree of Florida Scrub-Jays
Understanding the bird's genetic diversity could yield insights about how best to protect it and other threatened species. | Audubon.org | March 29, 2018
This strange condition makes you feel like you just burned your mouth on hot coffee—indefinitely
You've heard of auditory and visual hallucinations, but what about oral phantoms? | Popular Science | January 11, 2018
Pythons are invading Florida. Meet the scientists fighting back.
Betrayal, sex pheromones, and a lot of snake wrestling. | Popular Science | October 13, 2017
How Fragrant Poop and Color-Changing Skin May Help Protect Our Health
Scientists in the nascent field of synthetic biology are exploring ways coax bacteria that live in our bodies to alert us to illness — and even fight it. | NBC News MACH | July 25, 2017
(I was interviewed about this story by Paula Poundstone on her science show at NPR, Live from the Poundstone Institute (August 26, 2017, episode: "Am I Wishing For a Germ Bath?"))
Sex Robots Are Coming, and They're Not as Skeevy as You Think
NBC News MACH | June 2, 2017
Scientists are spelunking for cave gunk to fight superbugs
Deep in caverns around the world, bacteria are laboring to make antibiotics we can discover and use for ourselves. | Popular Science | May 22, 2017
Designer drugs hit dangerous lows to bring new highs
Illicit drugs are staying one step ahead of law enforcement, and users are paying the price | Science News | May 5, 2015
Cities are brimming with wildlife worth studying
Ecologists find plenty of surprises in urban landscapes | Science News |December 29, 2014
A Fine Set of Pipes
Their notes can bring joyous tears / While others may plug up their ears / But to Nate Banton what’s good / Is carving some wood / To craft a bagpipe for the years. | Narratively | March 14, 2014
A tale of sloppy science, a not-so-remarkable brain, and the rise of a more nuanced understanding of intelligence. | Inverse | March 19, 2022
Cord blood helped cure a woman of HIV. Can it treat other diseases, too?
The new approach raises hopes for helping more people. | Inverse | February 25, 2022
A ‘living’ cancer drug helped two patients stay disease-free for a decade
CAR T-cell therapy and related therapies that harness immune cells are getting closer to a 'cure' for some cancers, clinicians say. | Popular Science | February 17, 2022
Mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines could provide superior immunity
The approach could prompt a powerful immune response. | Popular Science | October 21,2021
Why most diets don’t work—and what to try instead
Taking the focus off weight loss may help your health in the long run. | Popular Science | September 27, 2021
Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks
The safest way to celebrate is still at home. | Popular Science | February 5, 2021
COVID-19 testing can’t guarantee a safe Thanksgiving. Here’s why.
The CDC is urging Americans not to travel for the holiday. | Popular Science | November 23, 2020
This scientist studies alchemy to turn historical handicrafts into modern innovations
Some of the best science lies in the designs of really old stuff. | Popular Science | Spring 2020, Origins issue
Why do so many diseases come from bats?
Many viruses originate in bats, but that doesn’t mean we should live in fear of them. | Popular Science | May 6, 2020
Forget props and fixed wings. New bio-inspired drones mimic birds, bats and bugs
Researchers see big things for the tiny flying machines | NBC News MACH | July 30, 2019
New companion robots can't do much but make us love them
With those big eyes and rounded bodies, who could resist them? | NBC News MACH | June 23, 2019
The science of serial killers is changing
In-depth analysis of murderers might help the rest of us, too. | Popular Science| March 7, 2019
Civil War study shows father's stress affects son's lifespan
It's part of the growing field of human epigenetics. | NBC News MACH | Nov. 9, 2018
How to remove cactus spines (including ones stuck in your throat)
Experts weigh in on a prickly predicament. | Popular Science | May 4, 2018
Why Nancy Chen Is Mapping the Family Tree of Florida Scrub-Jays
Understanding the bird's genetic diversity could yield insights about how best to protect it and other threatened species. | Audubon.org | March 29, 2018
This strange condition makes you feel like you just burned your mouth on hot coffee—indefinitely
You've heard of auditory and visual hallucinations, but what about oral phantoms? | Popular Science | January 11, 2018
Pythons are invading Florida. Meet the scientists fighting back.
Betrayal, sex pheromones, and a lot of snake wrestling. | Popular Science | October 13, 2017
How Fragrant Poop and Color-Changing Skin May Help Protect Our Health
Scientists in the nascent field of synthetic biology are exploring ways coax bacteria that live in our bodies to alert us to illness — and even fight it. | NBC News MACH | July 25, 2017
(I was interviewed about this story by Paula Poundstone on her science show at NPR, Live from the Poundstone Institute (August 26, 2017, episode: "Am I Wishing For a Germ Bath?"))
Sex Robots Are Coming, and They're Not as Skeevy as You Think
NBC News MACH | June 2, 2017
Scientists are spelunking for cave gunk to fight superbugs
Deep in caverns around the world, bacteria are laboring to make antibiotics we can discover and use for ourselves. | Popular Science | May 22, 2017
Designer drugs hit dangerous lows to bring new highs
Illicit drugs are staying one step ahead of law enforcement, and users are paying the price | Science News | May 5, 2015
Cities are brimming with wildlife worth studying
Ecologists find plenty of surprises in urban landscapes | Science News |December 29, 2014
A Fine Set of Pipes
Their notes can bring joyous tears / While others may plug up their ears / But to Nate Banton what’s good / Is carving some wood / To craft a bagpipe for the years. | Narratively | March 14, 2014