The Psychology of Santa Claus
It's weird, isn't it? Parents lie to their kids about a mysterious, bearded gift-giver, only to set them up for inevitable heartbreak. Except, it's not so simple.
Sarah Sloat
Gender Equality Increases by 1 Percent in California
Despite some recent high-profile hirings, the gender balance in high-level business positions hasn't changed much.
Everyone (in Southern California) Is a Valley Girl
New research reveals that most college-age people in Southern California—regardless or sex or socioeconomic background—use uptalk.
The Secrets We Keep (Are Making Us Sick and Screwing With Our Brains)
Four ways keeping a secret is bad for you.
The People Who Try to Break Guinness World Records
What kind of person wants to become the world's fastest cucumber eater?
The Problem With More Than 50 States
With what seems a never-ending list of wanna-be states, why hasn't there been a successful secession since 1863?
One of Amazon's Best-Selling Cameras Is a Fake
Despite dropping crime rates and research proving their ineffectiveness, dummy security cameras keep selling.
Is Anything in Jurassic Park Real?
With Jurassic World set to hit theaters in the summer of 2015, we take a look at what the franchise got wrong, right, and vaguely correct.
The Most XTREME Energy-Drink Drinkers Are Young Moms
You wouldn't know it from the advertising, but young mothers are among the biggest consumers of carbonated pick-me-ups.
Time Flying By? You're Getting Old (and Stressed)
New research shows that time seems to move faster as we get older because we're more stressed.
The Problem With Volunteer Tourism
While it might seem like a way for people to spend money and do some good, is it really the best way to enact any meaningful change?
Americans Now Love Wine as Much as Beer
Over the past five years, wine has made massive gains in the hearts of Americans.
The Economics of the Weird American Fair
Thousands of American fairs bring in billions of dollars every year. Yet they're still as weird as ever.
Study: Grandparents Hate Living With Children
Despite the growing number of multigenerational homes and efforts by researchers to prove otherwise, grandparents do not enjoy living with children.
Where Does Our Fascination With the Royal Baby Come From?
Why are non-Brits so concerned with the newly-born royal baby?
Why Are We Scared of Sharks?
Shark Week is coming! You're probably excited, and that's kind of strange.
Would Segregation Reduce Violence Between Israel and Palestine?
A new computer model that maps violence patterns in urban areas says that it would.
Study: You Listen to That Sad Song Because It Makes You Happy
New research shows that sad songs actually create positive emotions.
'Slaughterhouse-Five' Would Be the Movie of Our Time
With rumors of a Guillermo del Toro-directed film adaptation swirling, today seems like the perfect time to revisit Kurt Vonnegut's famous novel.
Why Are Civil War Reenactments Still Popular?
With 200,000 people expected to flock to Gettysburg for the 150th anniversary of the battle, Civil War reenactments still appear to be going strong.
Study: Female Gamers Receive Verbal Abuse From Male Gamers
While video games are frequently sexist, new research says that the same applies to the people playing them.
Falling Inequality Leads to Rising Unrest in Brazil -
The Brazilian middle class is bigger than ever, and that's why they're so fed up.
Could Freeway Capping Make the Roads and Traffic Less Awful?
Freeway capping could solve a bunch of problems for Los Angeles.
The Supermen Economy
If the most-recent iteration of the Superman franchise was considered a failure, why make another?
Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: An Economic Decision
A new study shows that more women with breast cancer are choosing a mastectomy over a lumpectomy. Could money be playing a role in the decision?
More Than Just Making Up Names for Animals: Why Taxonomy Matters
That new glow-in-the-dark cockroach isn't only the scariest bug you've ever seen.
Datebook: What's Happening in May and June—and Why It Matters
From the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition to the murder trial of George Zimmerman, events you should be aware of.
The Nuclear Mess at Fukushima
The Tokyo Electric Power company is apologizing to nearby residents once again as tons of radioactive water leak from its busted tanks.
Looking for Love in All the Right Places
University-sponsored lust. Plus, six other Deadly Sins from the week's news.
Sleepwalk a Mile in Their Shoes
The plight of the nocturnal ambulator. Plus, six other deadly sins from the week's news.
The Loneliness of TMI
The pain of over-sharing, plus six other deadly sins making the rounds these says.
Contemplating Crushes: A Scholarly Look at Love
For Valentine's Day, a roundup of recent research on romance and relationships.
A Labor of Love, or Love Via Labor?
That's a fine IKEA bookshelf you've made there, and those crooked shelves are actually just the way an artisan would inject some charm! A look at the IKEA Effect—plus, six other deadly sins in the news this week.
The Sweet Smell of Cetacean Indigestion
You might be surprised at the depths smell-ologists will go to replicate the sweet usefulness of ambergris. A look at their quest—plus, six other deadly sins in the news this week.
The Wages of Microbrewing
Greedy beer-lovers are now paying triple-digit prices for their beloved ales. A look at their greed—plus, six other deadly sins in the news this week.
Welcome in the New Year With Seven Deadly Sins
Put those resolutions down and commence to transgressing. While the “seven deadly sins” may seem a misty morality lesson from the past, the cardinal vices are always with us–even in the strait-laced arena of research. Hold on to your souls for a quick rundown of how findings announced this last week reflect our sinful natures.
Seven Deadly Sins: A Holiday Roundup
While the “seven deadly sins” may seem a misty morality lesson from the past, the cardinal vices are always with us–even in the strait-laced arena of academic research. Hold on to your souls for a quick rundown of how findings announced this last week alone reflect our sinful natures.
The Seven Deadly Sins: A Research Roundup
While the "seven deadly sins" may seem a misty morality lesson from the past, the cardinal vices are always with us--even in the strait-laced arena of academic research. Hold on to your souls for a quick rundown of how findings announced this last week alone reflect our sinful natures.
Redefining the Youth Bloc: Giving 16-Year-Olds the Vote
A decision to lower the voting age from 18 is making waves in Argentina.