Knowable Magazine

A face in profile against a background of books, sarcophagi and scent molecules.

Chemists, historians and other scientists are working to design perfumes that recreate and evoke scents from the past.

knowmag.org/4t6Tbys

A shocking number of birds are in trouble Rich data on the global state of our feathered friends presents plenty of bad news — but also some bright spots. Researchers know better than ever how to help endangered birds, and there are notable…

#Opinion ✍️ More than genes and upbringing determine animal personalities: There’s a good dose of chance in the mix, too.

knowmag.org/4l0TRAu

Why disease outbreaks on Chinese fur farms are a serious risk to public health Farming animals for fur is not only cruel but also provides an ideal environment for viruses to mix and cross over into humans

Read in English:

Farming animals for fur is not only cruel but also provides an ideal environment for viruses to mix and cross over into humans.

@janeqiu.bsky.social's recent report “Why disease outbreaks on Chinese fur farms are a serious risk to public health” is now available in Spanish 👇

Brotes de enfermedades en granjas peleteras chinas suponen un grave riesgo para la salud pública La cría de animales para obtener pieles no solo es cruel, sino que también proporciona un entorno ideal para que los virus se mezclen y se transmitan a los seres humanos.

La cría de animales para obtener pieles no solo es cruel, sino que también proporciona un entorno ideal para que los virus se mezclen y se transmitan a los seres humanos.

✍️ La periodista @janeqiu.bsky.social lo explica en este reportaje.

knowmag.org/4aFhzQH

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The strange animals that control their body heat Some creatures can dramatically alter their internal temperature — a strategy called heterothermy — and outlast storms, floods and predators

Cool story today by Hannah Thomasy at Knowable. Temperature regulation is another binary in nature that has collapsed in my lifetime. Where it was once "cold" and "warm" blooded, we now see a world of different abilities and tolerances. Neat stuff.
#nature

knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

Brain, think on thyself What the science of self-awareness can tell us about confident decision-making

In my latest Q&A for @knowablemag.bsky.social, @smfleming.bsky.social‬ explains his research investigating what we know about what we know, think about what we think, and believe about what we believe. knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

Brain, think on thyself What the science of self-awareness can tell us about confident decision-making

What the science of self-awareness can tell us about confident decision-making.

✍️ Tim Vernimmen

knowmag.org/4serAu2

The neurons that make us feel hangry Neuroscientists think a cluster of cells in the brain that stimulate appetite could be a target for eating disorder therapies

Neuroscientists think a cluster of cells in the brain that stimulate appetite could be a target for eating disorder therapies. ✍️ Amber Dance

knowmag.org/3OzbtbS

The strange animals that control their body heat Some creatures can dramatically alter their internal temperature — a strategy called heterothermy — and outlast storms, floods and predators

Some creatures can dramatically alter their internal temperature — a strategy called heterothermy — and outlast storms, floods and predators.

✍️ Hannah Thomasy

knowmag.org/4qXQpJI

Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained “Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people

👀 On our radar: “Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people.

✍️ Gretchen Vogel and Kai Kupferschmidt, via @science.org

The ever-tenuous success of plants engineered to kill insect foes Bt crops keep many agricultural pests at bay and have drastically reduced the use of pesticides. But scientists warn that these valuable tools are in jeopardy due to overuse and abuse.

Bt crops keep many agricultural pests at bay and have drastically reduced the use of pesticides. But scientists warn that these valuable tools are in jeopardy due to overuse and abuse.

✍️ Dan Charles

knowmag.org/4c6MjLq

Missing megaflood: How did the Mediterranean transform from a salt-filled bowl to a deep sea if it wasn't a cataclysmic deluge? Researchers have long believed that a sudden, massive deluge filled a dry, salt-filled Mediterranean 5 million years ago. Turns out that probably didn't happen, but there was still drama aplenty.

Researchers have long believed that a sudden, massive deluge filled a dry, salt-filled Mediterranean 5 million years ago. Turns out that probably didn't happen, but there was still drama aplenty.

📝 Learn more about this in our recent article republished by Live Science

What if we tolerated diseases? The immune cells that fight bacteria and viruses are well-known. But some scientists think we should devote more attention to a second prong of defense: one that allows our bodies to more harmlessly…

The immune cells that fight bacteria and viruses are well-known. But some scientists think we should devote more attention to a second prong of defense: one that allows our bodies to more harmlessly live with pathogens until they’re cleared from our systems. ✍️ Liam Drew

knowmag.org/4qNVtjE

The curious case of low-protein diets In the lab, animals live longer on less of the stuff. How could this be, and what does it mean for human aging?

In the lab, animals live longer on less of the stuff. How could this be, and what does it mean for human aging?

✍️ Amber Dance

knowmag.org/40kchE0

Looking for an ADHD coach? Choose carefully As diagnoses surge, so does an unregulated coaching industry

Read more:

knowmag.org/46bkSfO

But he worries about the industry’s lack of standards and regulation, noting that licensed health professionals must train for years and pass rigorous exams. “Coaching seems to me to be more of a business, and that worries me,” he says.

Theoretically, coaching could be useful for people with ADHD as part of a toolkit that might include medication and therapy, says clinical psychologist and researcher Stephen Faraone, president of the World Federation of ADHD.

The wet landmasses, though inherently impermanent, have been essential to both people and wildlife for thousands of years. But recent shifts have brought on some rapid losses that worry scientists.

✍️ Boyce Upholt

knowmag.org/40eJEbc

Why Disease Outbreaks on Chinese Fur Farms Are a Serious Risk to Public Health Farming animals for fur is not only cruel but also provides an ideal environment for viruses to mix and cross over into humans.

Farming animals for fur is not only cruel but also provides an ideal environment for viruses to mix and cross over into humans.

📝 Learn more about this in our recent article republished by The Wire.

A shocking number of birds are in trouble Rich data on the global state of our feathered friends presents plenty of bad news — but also some bright spots. Researchers know better than ever how to help endangered birds, and there are notable…

Rich data on the global state of our feathered friends presents plenty of bad news — but also some bright spots. Researchers know better than ever how to help endangered birds, and there are notable bird conservation successes.

✍️ Emily Sohn

knowmag.org/4l0TRAu

Podcast 🎧 Replacing or assisting the human heart with a machine would save countless lives. But the quest to build an artificial heart has had many gruesome missteps and caused researchers to reimagine how to keep our blood flowing.

knowmag.org/4qxL8IB

What makes for a ‘great’ sex life? Research into intimacy upends many popular notions about sexual fulfillment. One hint: It’s more about connection than technique.

The unhappiest time in a sex therapist’s office is around Valentine’s Day, says Dr. Peggy Kleinplatz, a professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of Ottawa. “It’s the day where I see the most miserable couples, the most distressed couples,” she says. #ValentinesDay

knowmag.org/42ggA4x

Elderly couple sitting on a sofa.

In general, it promotes health. But it might not if your relationship is troubled or your partner is ill. Here's why, and what can be done. #ValentinesDay

knowmag.org/4az3DWU

Two lovers gaze into one another’s eyes.

At last, neuroscientists are learning how the hormone shapes social behaviors such as pair-bonding and parental care. It’s more complicated than they thought.

#ValentinesDay

knowmag.org/3EFYErq

It's almost slime mold Saturday! Here's an advance viewing. Story by @timvernimmen.bsky.social for us folks at @knowablemag.bsky.social --and also for you! 🧪

Photograph of a couple sitting on a couch. They are reading quietly.

“We don’t always need to fill up the space with conversation: Silent moments can be powerful ways to connect.” #ValentinesDay

knowmag.org/41dFVe3

The curious life of a clever slime mold In its quest to feed, avoid nasty substances and just generally live its life, the brainless, one-celled Physarum polycephalum performs some impressive tricks of learning and memory

My latest @knowablemag.bsky.social story is all about the incredible slime mold Physarum polycephalum, featuring @karenalim.bsky.social and @docteur-drey.bsky.social.

Meet the mysterious electrides: These chemical oddities may explain why Earth seems to be deficient in certain elements — and could prove useful in catalysts and more

Our recent story, now available in Spanish via @revistaknowable.bsky.social 👇