Aleks Krotoski: The perils of folklore
Seemingly innocuous folk cures and old wives’ tales can have a darker side
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As the crow dies
Corvids, such as crows, rooks and ravens, are some of the smartest animals out there. They can learn to make new sounds, they can cooperate and even use tools.
An immune system for the planet
Can we build a global pathogen defence system –a planetary equivalent of the immune system – to protect us when the next pandemic arrives?
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What is the best way to decorate my house, according to science?
Who needs glossy property magazines or home-improvement TV programmes when you can revel in a more nerdy approach, and make your decisions based on findings in the psychology literature?
What is parosmia?
What is parosmia? VINCENT HAWES, LONDON Parosmia is experiencing distortions of the sense of smell. A person with parosmia may be able to detect odours, but the smell of certain things might be different and often unpleasant. Fragrance writer Louise Woollam, for example, suffered from parosmia after a cold and found that most foods tasted […]
Do dogs get tired wagging their tail?
Do dogs get tired wagging their tail? SHAUN GARDNER Like all essential doggy business, such as breathing, barking and begging for treats, tail wagging uses energy. When a dog is happy, knows it, and really wants to show it, muscle cells in the tail produce the energy that is needed via a process called aerobic […]
Crowd science: Why do we get bored?
CROWDSCIENCE: WHY DO WE GET BORED? Every week on BBC World Service, CrowdScience answers listeners’ questions on life, Earth and the Universe. Tune in every Friday evening on BBC World Service, or catch up online at bbcworldservice.com/crowdscience Boredom is like an annoying itch that flares up when you know you want to do something other […]