A study on meditation's beneficial effects on multitasking.

Meditation is the multi-tasker's answer    Religion Dispatches

The media is aglow with reports of the likely discovery of the long-sought Higgs boson particle, which completes the standard model of particle physics.

There is still a chance for error, but it's currently 5-in-10-million chance - the 5 sigma mark for acceptable particle physics theories.

The discovery cost Stephen Hawking $100 in a bet.

Celebration ( Read more... )

A big day for android technology articles.

They've done this with chimps before, but this is the first time a human has controlled a robot by thought alone.

Robot avatar controlled by thought alone  New Scientist

Based on an Amsterdam club that's already doing this, Yeoman and Mars have written a paper on android sex workers in the future.

Robot prostitutes, the future of sex tourism   Discovery News

Can science be crowd-sourced to the general population?

A Huffington Post article cites a few examples of successes in such citizen science, such as inviting people to a Galaxy Zoo, where they can classify the shapes of galaxies (which the human brain does much better than computers).

However, major problems can arise when citizens get involved too ( Read more... )

Lovelock is now moderating some of his more dire predictions, saying he was "alarmist" to some degree.

While this will no doubt be painted by opponents as a total 180-degree turn around, it is not so.  Lovelock still believes climate change is happening and it is caused by humanity, but not at such a severe rate as he once thought.  He criticizes ( Read more... )

In defense of genetically modified crops   Mother Jones

A rare gem of an article calls bullsh*t on both candidates on an array of issues.

Selective storytelling from the stump   NYTimes

Oliver Blackburn's column at the Guardian is amazing.  Check it out here.  For example:

Physicalists may lead healthier lives than mind-body dualists

The language you speak, and how it parses talking about present and future, may affect how often you exercise

Researchers are finding that self-esteem boosts are not always good, but can have both good and bad consequences.  Better than spewing praise upon children is praising them for genuine accomplishments, and helping them develop the willpower to achieve those accomplishments.  Further, studies are supporting the age-old wisdom that helping others ( ( Read more... )