# health
A new study links autism to genetic defects passed on by older parents rather than environmental factors.
# tech
Turns out, insects have basic forms of intelligence and the path to thinking robots may be through emulating how their tiny minds work.
# science
Emboldened by chiropractors suing Simon Singh, anti-vaccine activists are coming after critics and scientists with frivolous but expensive libel claims.
# tech
A biologist tried to give a neuroscience lesson to the utopian futurists at H+ and they did not take it well.
# science
Another winter, another season of explaining why global warming doesn't mean you'll be broiled alive in your own sweat.
# space
What happens to particles swallowed by a black hole? The answer could either confirm our understanding of the universe or alter everything we know about it.
# health
A disturbing new trend is invading American discourse: toxic, weaponized positivity and optimism.
# astrobiology
The more spread out an alien species is across the cosmos, the easier it would be to find and contact them. But how widespread could an alien civilization be?
# science
Communication between scientists and believers runs into a fundamental problem. Scientists see knowledge as impersonal. Believers don't.
# tech
In another major step for brain-machine interfaces, a stroke victim can speak using a computer with amazing accuracy.
# science
Science and skeptical blogs seem to be everywhere. Unfortunately their combined audience pales in comparison to the bully pulpits of committed cranks and anti-science activists on a mission.
# tech
A look at all the top stats of 2009 on the last day of the year.
# tech
Another year comes to close at Weird Things and what a year it was...
# science
If you're a divisive, scientifically illiterate crank whose only talents are to start fights and attract attention, you've been living your best decade.
# science
Deepak Chopra proudly accepts his title as King of Woo and goes on a spittle flecked tirade against his critics.
