Science Unscripted
From advances that will change our lives to offbeat oddities, Spectrum keeps you abreast of developments in the realm of European science and technology news.
Wait — who's friendzoning who here?!
It's usually guys who complain about being 'friendzoned.' But new research says it definitely happens to women, too — sometimes.
How different are the brains of boys and girls?
A new study shows a sex difference in the early growth of the human brain. Does it matter?
When a pet’s death really hurts
The loss of a pet can affect you more than losing a loved one, a new study shows. With one exception.
Why do humans have (relatively) large penises?
Compared to chimps or gorillas, human males are unusually well endowed. A new study suggests it's partly because men 'size each other up' before a fight.
How casual hookups are good (and healthy) for singles
You really do benefit from 'friends with benefits,' a new study suggests. Also, a forgotten birthday can tank employee morale and a look at how the Autobahn lead to more support for the Nazi party.
The anomie within
When it feels like society's breaking down right before your eyes, it's called anomie. And it can lead to an even a darker place.
Do you think animals can think?
It's an interesting question. Even more intriguing is why you believe what you do — and whether you live near a city.
Neanderthals chose to eat each other?
Cannibalism happened among the Neanderthals. That much we knew. Now, a paleoanthropological discovery has possibly uncovered an ugly truth about our distant cousins. Conor and Gabe head to a cave in Belgium to check it out.
Happy New Year!
Thanks to everybody who listened during this year. Most of all, thank you to those who wrote to us and — in the process — became part of our show.
Imagine your way to better friendships...?
Want to like someone more? It just takes eight seconds. Also, mice that smelled bacon... had more obese children?
Who do you give to? (And who do you not?)
$1,000 is put in your hand. With one condition: You have to donate it. What do you do next?
The Batman effect
A pregnant woman enters a tram. Nearly 40% of the time, she's offered a seat. Unless someone else enters. Dressed as batman.
Does the world feel... off to you?
If you feel overwhelmed... and you don't know why... new research suggests you may be experiencing something called 'mismatch.'
Mountain gorilla menopause & why raccoons are the next dogs
We're on our way to having a new housepet, a study suggests. Also, mountain gorillas join humans as part of the (exclusive) 'grandmother hypothesis.'
Gen Z can't sleep (but at least they're not out committing crimes)
An alarming number of young people are using two very unhelpful drugs to help them sleep. Also, what's behind the sharp decline in youth crime?
When people talk about 'dehumanization,' listen
Dehumanizing a group of people is step 4 on the 10-step path to genocide. We should pay attention when politically powerful people start saying it.
Can you tell the difference?
Is a hair-loss product causing men (primarily) to become depressed and suicidal? Also, can you pass our AI voice test?
Women have more to lose when healthcare gets cut
Women will die at disproportionately higher rates as the US rolls back access to public insurance programs (like medicaid). Also, AI tools like ChatGPT change how honest we are... and not in a good way.
Why do men die earlier?
Five years. That's the (significant) difference between male/female life expectancies in human beings. If we'd like to change that (and shouldn't we try?), a new study suggests we look at the animals that reverse this rule, and how they do it.
Keeping score (or how to doom a relationship)
If you're keeping a mental list of what your partner 'owes' you, a new study suggests... maybe don't?