Health Care
Evidence Undermines ‘Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria’ Claims
Fears of “social contagion,” used to support anti-transgender legislation, are not supported by science
Stories by Timmy Broderick
Culture
Science News Briefs from around the World: September 2023
Ancient poop pathogens in Israel, Peru’s millennia-old El Niño preparations, a halt to Icelandic whale hunting, and much more in this month’s Quick Hits
Natural Disasters
Why a Banyan Tree Damaged in the Maui Wildfire Was So Beloved
This 150-year-old tree has been a cultural hub for Hawaii’s town of Lahaina for centuries
Astrophysics
Rippling Waves of Plasma May Cause Massive Stars to ‘Twinkle’
Scientists have developed a new model to predict how much “gravity waves” could alter a star’s brightness
Behavior
Scientists Tickle Rats and Discover Brain’s ‘Play Spot’
By inhibiting part of rats’ brain stem, scientists may have found the play center of the brain
Archaeology
1,800-Year-Old Spices Are Earliest Evidence of Curry Making in Southeast Asia
Archaeologists found evidence of spices such as turmeric and cloves from ancient Vietnam, suggesting South Asians shared their culinary traditions via an ancient maritime trade route
Cognition
What Life in Barbie’s Dazzlingly Pink World Would Do to Her Brain—And Yours
The Barbie movie’s plastic pink world might not be that fantastic in real life
Defense
Russia Is Trying to Leave the Internet and Build Its Own
Russia and other nations are working on “sovereign Internet” systems that threaten digital rights—and the stability of the global Internet
Geology
Can Scientists Forecast Volcanic Eruptions?
Satellites and other technologies are spurring a new revolution in volcanic activity monitoring
Ecology
How to Protect Yourself from Ticks and the Dangerous Diseases They Spread
Experts explain why tick-borne illnesses are increasing in the U.S. and offer tips to prevent bites
Sexuality
The First In-Depth Study on ‘Blue Balls’ Reveals a Lot about Sex
Arousal without orgasm isn’t dangerous, so why are people pressured to engage in unwanted sexual activity to avoid it?
Astronomy
Audio Astronomy Unlocks a Universe of Sound
Turning astronomical data into sound rather than images can inspire blind and visually impaired people—and maybe lead to some discoveries, too
