Wes Judd
Wes Judd is a freelance writer and researcher based in Santa Barbara, California. He was previously an editorial fellow at Pacific Standard and fitness editor at Outside.
A Conversation With Nobel Prize Winner Angus Deaton
The Princeton professor and Nobel Prize winner speaks candidly about his career, Scottish optimism, and how detailed data can lend subtle insight into human behavior.
A Conversation About the Surprisingly Serious Role of Medical Clowns
Filmmaker Sasha Kapustina is capturing this unique profession as it becomes an integral part to hospitals in Jerusalem.
The Problem With Cereal
Jobs, the real estate market, and social mobility are all major factors in modern gentrification, but food can play a significant role as well.
The Messy, Complicated Nature of Assisted Reproductive Technology
As we wrote earlier this year, the technology can be used in a plethora of positive ways, but there is far from a legal consensus.
Who Runs 100 Miles?
Ultramarathon running draws a particular type of athlete—one who has plenty of free time, doesn't mind pain, and is also white.
A Conversation With the Psychologist Behind 'Inside Out'
Emotions expert Dacher Keltner, who advised director Pete Docter throughout the making of the new Pixar hit, dives deep into the science of emotion, and tells us how Inside Out could teach Western culture an important lesson.
Cold Temperatures Don't Have Much to Do With Winter Deaths
As hotter summers become more deadly, warmer winters won't bring respite, according to new research.
France Is Upset With the U.S. So Is the Rest of the World, Apparently
The latest Pew poll shows America has earned some less-than-favorable marks around the globe.
More Bikes, Better Home Value
Living close to a bike-sharing system directly results in an increase to a home's property value, a new study shows.
The Majority of Catholic Republicans Believe in Climate Change
The Pope's recent encyclical will fall on receptive ears.
Why Are Most Hockey Fans White?
The Chicago Blackhawks may be so good that "they got black people loving hockey," but the NHL is still the most segregated professional sport. Why is that?
Return Migrants Can Make a Big Difference
Researchers have found that return migrants to the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, have a positive effect on nearly every aspect of life.
Here Are a Few of the Ways Caitlyn Jenner Can Expect to Be Discriminated Against
Caitlyn Jenner's transition offers an important moment to highlight what our culture needs to work on with female inequality.
Big Tourism Impacts for the Ol' Dusty Trail
One Colorado mountain town battles the dirty side effect of unpaved roads—for better or worse.
How 'Star Wars' Can Help You Understand Serious Psychotic Disorders
A teaching tool, the movies can be.
Do We Have to Start Worrying About the Integrity of Museums Now?
Big oil companies like Shell and BP sponsor museums for good PR. But they're beginning to affect what's on display, too.
How Santa Barbara's Oil Spill Could Affect Tourism
For Santa Barbara tourism, the recent oil spill could present a crude reality.
Rebuilding After Tragedy
A complicated blend of economics, culture, and infrastructure make it hard to find any right way to restore a city after disaster.
'San Andreas' Will Offer California a Much-Needed Reminder
Disaster movies provide audiences more than just entertainment.
Screw You, NFL Draft
Turns out the overblown, unnecessary annual hoopla costs its host city more than it's worth.
This Week in Very Serious Trials
A round-up of news and research on headline-grabbing court cases.
This Week in Presidential Candidacy
Libertarianism, attack ads, and climate change—oh my!
Has 'Game of Thrones' Affected the Way People Think About Climate Change?
Winter is coming, but no one seems to care. Sound familiar?
A Rundown on Recycled Wastewater
What you need to know about the sustainable alternative to desalination.
Female Orgasms Aren't Just About Good Genes
A woman who thinks other women find her mate attractive is more likely to have an orgasm, research finds.
Just How Important Is Color?
A new viral video reminds us how awe-inspiring the color spectrum really is. That's something that researchers—and businesses—have long understood.
College Kids Will Literally Text Through Anything
A new study shows just how badly college kids crave their emoji-laden communication.
This Week in California's Drought
A round-up of news and research on the Golden State's thirst for water.
A True Crime Expert Weighs in on HBO's 'The Jinx'
Criminologist and author Michael Arntfield talks with us about the past and future of true crime.
March Madness Gets the Academic Treatment
From NBA prospects to bracketology, researchers have touched on all aspects of March Madness.
Why Do Circus Elephants Get All the Sympathy?
Ringling Bros.' decision to retire its elephants has been met with near-universal approval. Why do far fewer people care about the animals being slaughtered on a daily basis?
Astronomers Found an Ancient Ocean on Mars
Now a cold, barren desert, Mars once had an ocean bigger than the Arctic.
The Far Reach of Racism in Ferguson
A new report by the Justice Department in the Ferguson investigation shows just how far racial bias can extend.
When Hollywood Pats Itself on the Beak
Birdman was a deserving Oscar winner, sure. But it also plays into Academy voters' favorite subject: themselves.
Don't Panic Over This Latest 'Superbug'
If recent history is any indication, we're well-equipped for this scary new bacteria.
Can 'Jupiter Ascending' Change the Way We Feel About 'The Matrix'?
With yet another Wachowski flop, might we start re-evaluating the film that made them so famous in the first place?
Dinosaurs May Have Been Tripping on Hallucinogens
Researchers have discovered an amber fossil containing the ergot fungus—from which LSD is derived.
In Times of Corporate Troubles, Altruism Helps
Research shows that philanthropy is a valuable strategy when big companies like HSBC get into trouble.
Philadelphia's Librarian Dilemma
The City of Brotherly Love is losing librarians, despite scores of studies proving their value. What gives?
Baleen Whales Can Feel It in Their Bones
A first-of-its-kind study sheds light on the elusive subject of whale noises.
Don't Just Blame Russell Wilson
Yes, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a damning interception late in the game. But research suggests his coach never should have called that play anyway.
Iceland Is Rising, Literally
A new study shows that melting glaciers have contributed to a taller Iceland.