under the microscope

Using DNA to predict intelligence

A short and intriguing research paper. “Thousands of DNA variants have been identified that – aggregated into genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) – account for more than 10% of the variance in phenotypic intelligence. The intelligence GPS is now one of […]

to your health

The first new Alzheimer’s drug since 2003 approved by FDA.

The approval came despite the advisory committee’s near-unanimous vote against it. “The ap­proval, how­ev­er, will do lit­tle to quell crit­i­cisms from the swath of Alzheimer’s re­searchers, bio­sta­tis­ti­cians, and clin­i­cians who have ar­gued that Bio­gen cher­ry-picked da­ta and failed to show […]

fun facts

Lobsters can get high

“The impetus for this groundbreaking study: a Maine restaurant that’s famous for hot boxing lobsters. Back in 2018, restaurateur Charlotte Gill of Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound sent the internet into a tizzy when she told a local newspaper that she […]

fun facts

The emperor’s new sculpture.

“Last month, the 67-year-old artist Salvatore Garau sold an “immaterial sculpture”—which is to say that it doesn’t exist.” The price? $18,300. | learn more

fun facts

China’s WeChat bans nose-picking, spanking

“Besides nose-picking and spanking, other “vulgar” activities that are banned include putting underwear over one’s head and focusing the camera lens on sensitive parts of the body, such as the chest or buttocks,,.“ | learn more