top story in January-February 2010
The Evolution of Mardi Gras Rituals
In this ‘Wonks Gone Wild,’ researchers say the hierarchical role-playing in Mardi Gras parades gave way to a free marketplace for beads, which included ‘negotiated transactions.’
Studying Drunken Promiscuity at Mardi Gras
In this edition of ‘Wonks Gone Wild,’ researchers find that men overrated, and women underrated, the likelihood that they would participate in sexual activities with a new partner at Mardi Gras.
Unmasking Mardi Gras Deviants
In this edition of ‘Wonks Gone Wild,’ a researcher spends 500 hours at Mardi Gras celebrations to learn what makes revelers participate in deviant behavior.
The History of Mardi Gras Beadwhores
In this edition of ‘Wonks Gone Wild,’ one researcher finds an answer to the Mardi Gras question: How do I get someone to throw me some beads?
The Exonerator
Self-taught private investigator Jim McCloskey has helped free more than three dozen people who were imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit.
Why It’s ‘OK’ to Leave the Party for a Quick Smoke
College party-goers share their reasons puffing on the patio … and other odd studies highlighted in this month’s Cocktail Napkin.
This Just In: More Research Needed
Only more and better data will settle a dispute about the possibility that environmental pollution can cause inheritable disease.
Question Time for Denialism
The BBC finds the right way to counter Holocaust deniers: You have the public question them.
After the Aftermath
Long after the benefit concerts are finished, the victims of hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis suffer severe emotional aftershocks. Is there a better way to respond to disaster?
archive
The Revolution Will Be Mapped
GIS mapping technology is helping underprivileged communities get better services — from education and transportation to health care and law enforcement — by showing exactly what discrimination looks like.
Autumn of the Republic?
Three books suggest America has slipped into a polarized state of undermined self-government. None convincingly suggests how we can slip back out.
Testing People Who Get Spittin’ Mad
Researchers find that disappointed voters on Election Night 2008 experienced a dip in testosterone levels. How do they know? They measured the voters’ spit, of course.
Which Dog Is the Smartest?
A leading canine researcher says dogs understand more than 150 words and can count up to four or five. He has compiled a list of the world’s smartest dogs. See if your pooch cracks his Top 7.
The Dirt on Climate Change
Could soil engineered specifically to maximize carbon storage dampen some effects of climate change? Very possibly.
Inside the Cyberwar for Iran’s Future
Armed with mobile phones and the Internet, trusted networks of family and friends spread the news of electoral fraud and escalating tensions in Iran, transfixing the world with photos and videos of demonstrations against the regime.
Handwriting Is History
Writing words by hand is a technology that’s just too slow for our times, and our minds.
Adventures in Capitolism
Federal plans for a green economic revolution need more discipline — and a long-term partnership with the venture capitalists who know startup winners from losers.
Fishing for Answers in Alaska
Can the unusual politics, economics and culture of the Alaskan salmon trade serve as a model for sustainable world fisheries?
Can China Turn Cotton Green?
Producing ‘natural’ cotton clothing is a huge and filthy global business that, Chinese-commissioned research shows, will be extremely difficult to clean up.
related to January-February 2010
politics
- Budget Idea: Divert Money From Prisons to Schools
- I Gave It a Nudge But It Won’t Budge
- The Practical Effect of Cultivating Selflessness
- Sticking to Your Resolutions, With Uncle Sam
- Prison-Based Gerrymandering Dilutes Blacks’ Voting Power
business
- Numerology Doesn’t Know the Score
- Women Eye Dance Moves to Find Thrill Seekers
- Private Prisons Can’t Lock In Savings
- Full Moon Myths Leave Skeptics Howling
- How to Keep the Devil From Getting More Than His Due
science
- Your Brain: A User’s Guide
- Uncovering Ancient Brews, and Cures
- The Limits of Empathy for Outsiders
- (Wheel) Running Addictions Away
- Genetics May Play Role in Alcohol-Related Birth Defects
culture
media
- Female Pop Stars: Prepare to Disrobe
- 10 Memorable Threads from 2010
- Sex Appeal, Exotic Setting Equal Satisfied Moviegoers
- In Truth, ‘Lie to Me’ Breeds Misconceptions
- Bare Breasts Don’t Beget Boffo Box Office
legal affairs
- Eyewitness IDs Can Be Made Better
- Lee Baca Wants to Educate L.A.’s Prisoners
- Judges’ Decisions More Lenient After Lunch
- Convict Commodification
- Why Victims Face the Criminals Who Hurt Them
environment
health
follow us on:
join our newsletter:
most viewed
-
Children’s Books Increasingly Ignore Natural World
-
Casual Sex: Men, Women Not So Different After All
-
Prop Planes: The Future of Eco-Friendly Aviation?
-
Are Some Airlines Just Too Dangerous to Fly?
-
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
-
Japan's Earthquake: Deciphering the Fury
-
Five Orcas, Five Slaves or Five Persons?
-
The Real Science Gap
-
Learning to Read When a School System Falters
-
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
from the source
Gender Wage Gap Skewed By Survey Flaws
The wage gap between the sexes in America has been closing much faster than anyone realized, but that’s tempered by learning it’s been much wider than measurements had shown.
‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks
An effort to identify five performing orcas as slaves failed in part, argues one scholar, because there’s no legal precedent establishing them as persons.
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
New research finds listeners judge symphonic music differently when they’re told the conductor is a woman.
House Puts Transportation in Partisan Crossfire
Transportation used to be one of the few guaranteed areas of agreement when ideology trumped pragmatism in D.C. But that’s no longer the case.
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
New research suggests less-creative people do more innovative thinking when they are told individualism is the norm, and instructed to conform.
Better Super Bowl Makes for Better Ads
A lot of people say they watch the Super Bowl mostly for the ads. But it turns out a good game surrounding those ads makes them seem better.
Overseas Troops Finally Get Fair Shot at Voting
After decades of obstacles hindering the voting process, new laws will allow overseas and military voters to submit their votes in time for the 2012 election.
Neglected Tropical Diseases Neglected No More?
World health leaders announce coordinated push to eradicate or control neglected tropical diseases.
Children’s Books Increasingly Ignore Natural World
A survey of award-winning children’s picture books from 1938 to 2008 suggests our increasing estrangement from the natural environment.
Traffic Solution: Make Drivers Less Lonely
Rather than moaning about too many cars on the road, the Ridesharing Institute says the real key to battling traffic congestion and pollution is filling empty passenger seats.
Hall of fame
Slugging — The People’s Transit
In Washington, D.C., commuters have taken thousands of cars off highways via a homegrown rideshare system known as “slugging.” Can the government create more slugs — without stepping on any?
Bacteria ‘R’ Us
Emerging research shows that bacteria have powers to engineer the environment, to communicate and to affect human well-being. They may even think.
A New Take on Political Ideology
An evolutionary psychologist proposes a new framework for understanding the root causes of our political beliefs.
The Real Science Gap
It’s not insufficient schooling or a shortage of scientists. It’s a lack of job opportunities. Americans need the reasonable hope that spending their youth preparing to do science will provide a satisfactory career.
Triumph of the Cyborg Composer
David Cope’s software creates beautiful, original music. Why are people so angry about that?
