WIRED- Science Articles

SCIENCE

• Joanna Pearlstein | 
 
• 9:00 pm

A Closer Look at Silicon Valley’s Dismal Vaccination Numbers

Last week we reported that some day care facilities associated with Silicon Valley technology companies had vaccination rates below “herd immunity,” the level that confers safety on a population. According to data provided by the California Department of Public Health, six facilities associated with Google, IBM, Cisco, and Pixar fell below both the state average […]

• Becky Ferreira | 
 
• Friday February 13

We’re Closer Than Ever to a Birth Control Pill for Men

For dudes who like to notch their belts or track miscellaneous pants-related data, the fact that men produce 1,500 sperm every second seems impressive. But that comes at a cost: babies. Women can choose among a wide variety of birth control methods, but options for men are limited to slip-ons or snips. For now. A […]

• Christian Jarrett | 
 
• Friday February 13

Your Brain On Celebrity Gossip

Researchers have scanned the brains of students listening to stories of celebrities getting up to mischief. The neuroimaging data suggested the students enjoyed the celebrity gossip more than they admitted. 

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• Rhett Allain | 
 
• Friday February 13

What Size Battery Would You Need to Power Your House?

Telsa has plans to create a battery for your house. How big would this battery be? Here are some estimations.

• Nick Stockton | 
 
• Thursday February 12

Infoporn: Proof That the FDA Isn’t Protecting Americans’ Health

For years, the FDA has made it nearly impossible to figure out where serious lapses in medical research has contributed to faulty drugs. 

• Matt Simon | 
 
• Thursday February 12

Absurd Creature of the Week: The Badass Snail That Has a Shell Made of Iron

In what is arguably the most famous scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, King Arthur faces the Black Knight, relieving him of his limbs even though he’s wearing some nice chain mail. But there’s a Black Knight in the depths of the Indian Ocean whose armor doesn’t yield to blows quite so easily. […]

• Marcus Woo | 
 
• Thursday February 12

Why Europe’s Experimental Spaceship Is Shaped So Weirdly

Yesterday, an unmanned experimental spacecraft from the European Space Agency took off from French Guiana and, 100 minutes later, splashed down into the Pacific Ocean just west of the Galapagos Islands. The spacecraft, called the Intermediate Experimental Vehicle, or IXV, didn’t look like your standard cone, though. It looked more—well, cinematic, for lack of a better word, kind of like a miniature space shuttle minus the wings and tail. And that odd shape might presage the future of space travel.

• Katie M. Palmer | 
 
• Thursday February 12

How to Get Silicon Valley’s Anti-Vaxxers to Change Their Minds

There’s been a lot of shaming and blaming of the anti-vaccination crowd in response to the Disneyland measles outbreak (even we did it). And when we released our investigation of vaccination rates at Silicon Valley preschools, people were justifiably angry: Every unvaccinated kid at those schools threatens the greater community’s protection against disease. But yelling at anti-vaxxers […]

• Mary Bates | 
 
• Thursday February 12

If You’re Happy and You Know It — So Does Your Dog

A new study shows how dogs can tell the difference between happy and angry faces, the first strong evidence that an animal other than humans can discriminate between emotional expressions in another species.

• Joanna Pearlstein | 
 
• Wednesday February 11

The Sickeningly Low Vaccination Rates at Silicon Valley Day Cares

A WIRED investigation shows that some children attending day care facilities affiliated with prominent Silicon Valley companies have not been completely vaccinated against preventable infectious diseases.

• Rhett Allain | 
 
• Wednesday February 11

5 Things Every Human Should Know About Light

2015 is the International Year of Light. Here are 5 things everyone should know about light.

• Neel V. Patel | 
 
• Wednesday February 11

The Creepy Collective Behavior of Boston Dynamics’ New Robot Dog

Robotics company Boston Dynamics has a new four-legged addition to its family: a 160-lb quadruped named Spot—and dude is impressive. In a short video posted yesterday, the Google-owned company shows Spot gallivanting with a weird equestrian hop through office corridors, up concrete stairs, and along rocky hills with little trouble. Spot even keeps his balance after being kicked by one of its human overlords. You can almost hear the canine whimper over the drone of his hydraulics. 

• Courtney Balestier | 
 
• Wednesday February 11

The A-Team That Tracks the Poisonous Additives in Our Food

Some groceries are not what they seem. Just ask Mitchell Weinberg. As head of a firm called Inscatech, he specializes in the dirty details of adulterating edibles—shortcuts and substitutions that can lead to disaster. Business is booming: Reports of tainted food climbed 60 percent between 2010 and 2013, according to the nonprofit US Pharmacopeial Convention. […]

• Davey Alba | 
 
• Tuesday February 10

A $34 Smartphone Gadget That Can Detect HIV in 15 Minutes

When it comes to high-risk, infectious diseases, early detection can make all the difference in getting ill patients some much-needed treatment. In some cases, it may even help stem an outbreak. This becomes incredibly critical in the developing world, where there are fewer resources to go around.

• Matt Simon | 
 
• Tuesday February 10

This Incredible Hospital Robot Is Saving Lives. Also, I Hate It

The robot, I’m told, is on its way. Any minute now you’ll see it. We can track them, you know. There’s quite a few of them, so it’s only a matter of time. Any minute now. Ah, and here it is. Far down the hospital hall, double doors part to reveal the automaton. There’s no […]

• Nick Stockton | 
 
• Tuesday February 10

What’s Up With That: Can Doctors Diagnose Autism With Video Footage?

Is it possible to diagnose somebody on the autism spectrum disorder based solely on their movements?

• Mary Bates | 
 
• Tuesday February 10

Love Matches: Monogamy in the Animal Kingdom

So who are the truly monogamous animals out there? The answers may surprise you. 

• Nick Stockton | 
 
• Monday February 9

The Hurricane Hunters Who Are Helping California Battle Its Devastating Drought

NOAA has brought in its hurricane hunting flight crews all the way from Florida to help California get a better understanding of the tropical weather conduits that are state's most abundant source of water. 

• Gwen Pearson | 
 
• Monday February 9

50 Shades of WRONG: Disturbing Insect Sex

Oh Humans. You think you're getting freaky? You know nothing.

• Rhett Allain | 
 
• Monday February 9

Geek Physics: The Dot Physics Book

Here is a quick review of my soon to be released book, Geek Physics.

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