Addiction has hit the United States hard, with over 20 million people reporting substance use disorders, according to the surgeon general's 2016 report. And so, despite decades of stigma, studies into using hallucinogenic drugs to treat addictions are coming back into scientific vogue. Take a trip with Ben and Matt to discover the pros and cons of this research — and the … [Read more...] about Breaking the Cycle of Addiction, With Hallucinogens
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Are People Dying to Find Fenn’s Treasure?
At least four people have died searching for a bronze chest full of gold and gemstones hidden in the Rocky Mountains between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Canadian border by a reclusive millionaire adventurer named Forrest Fenn. The treasure hunt began when Fenn published a poem containing clues to the chest's location in 2010. The first four hunters on this list are most often … [Read more...] about Are People Dying to Find Fenn’s Treasure?
A Quick and Dirty History of Spring Break
Do you smell that, the unmistakable odor of stale beer and sunscreen mixed with regret? Yes, it's that time of year again, when hundreds of thousands of American college students descend on resort towns in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean for a week of day-drinking, EDM-thumping foam parties and more than a few poor decisions. But how, exactly, did spring break become a … [Read more...] about A Quick and Dirty History of Spring Break
Understand? Your Brain Signals Will Tell
Remember the voice of Charlie Brown's teacher: "Wha wha wha wha ..."? Sometimes we can hear someone speaking, but that doesn't always mean we're tuning in. Now neuroscientists have identified a way of detecting brain signals that indicate when a person is actually understanding speech. The technique, which applies machine learning, represents an advance in using relatively … [Read more...] about Understand? Your Brain Signals Will Tell
Scientists Working on a Periodic Table for Ecology
In 1867, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev was writing a chemistry textbook, but it wasn't going well. At the time, only 56 elements were known to exist, but Mendeleev was having a tough time figuring out how to organize them in a way that would demonstrate their relationships to each other. But then, as legend has it, he had a dream which showed him not only how to organize the … [Read more...] about Scientists Working on a Periodic Table for Ecology
What’s Going on With Detroit’s Mysterious Zug Island?
As conspiracy theories go, the Windsor Hum might not have the legs of, say, the gunman on the grassy knoll. But, like any good theory, it is a persistent little bugger. You may know the backstory here: A disturbing noise, somewhere between a window-rattling bass and a brain-numbing deep thrum, is bugging the heck out of residents in the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, just … [Read more...] about What’s Going on With Detroit’s Mysterious Zug Island?
New Drugs Could Help Prevent Hearing Loss
As humans, our ability to hear the world around us is a little more tenuous than we might realize. Mammals only have about 15,000 sound-sensitive cells (hair cells) in each ear, and unlike birds, fish and amphibians, if these cells are damaged, they can't be regenerated. Exposure to loud noises can kill hair cells, as can head injury, infectious disease and certain medicines. … [Read more...] about New Drugs Could Help Prevent Hearing Loss
Do Nutrition Labels on Restaurant Menus Trim Down Calorie Consumption?
Ever had the experience of going to a fast-food or chain restaurant and deciding not to order your favorite meal once you've read the number of calories it has? You're not alone. But how often does this happen? A group of researchers decided to look at how nutrition labeling affects restaurant food choices, and their findings were published in the Feb. 27, 2018, issue of … [Read more...] about Do Nutrition Labels on Restaurant Menus Trim Down Calorie Consumption?
Do You Have to Be a Genius to Get an ‘Einstein Visa’?
After she came to the U.S. from Slovenia in the mid-1990s, Melania Trump — then known by her maiden name, Melania Knauss — worked as a fashion model, not a theoretical physicist. Nevertheless, when the future Mrs. Donald Trump — whose biggest claim to fame at the time was posing for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue — was awarded a green card in … [Read more...] about Do You Have to Be a Genius to Get an ‘Einstein Visa’?
When Will We Reach the Tipping Point for Tipping?
Tipping makes zero sense. Is it a reward for good service? Studies show that tips don't go up or down significantly based on the quality of service. Does tipping attract and retain better wait staff? Not really. Is it a bribe so the waiter won't spit in your soup the next time you come? Probably depends on the waiter. In most countries, a service charge is included in the bill. … [Read more...] about When Will We Reach the Tipping Point for Tipping?