ScienCentral News: Making Sense of Science

Are men naturally better at math than women or is that just an out-dated stereotype? When former Harvard president Larry Summers said publicly in 2005 that men are innately better at math, many women were outraged. So a couple of women scientists decided to research it. This ScienCentral News video explains their report published this week.

It's well known that depression in your family puts you at high risk of depression. Now researchers have found a structural difference in the brain that could explain why.

It's commencement time, and psychology researchers say those valedictory speeches about how success isn't measured in riches are much more than mere platitudes. As this ScienCentral News video explains, they've found new evidence that "American Dream" achievements like wealth, fame and image are not the keys to happiness.

This mother's day, we bring you the story of one woman's dream to give her child mobility. This ScienCentral News video reports on research that is opening the door for special needs babies to explore the world-- with the help of robots.

As we sign those Mother's Day cards, most of us know the story behind the choice of our names. Now, new research published this week looks at baby names as a window into how popular trends catch on and die out. This ScienCentral News video explains.

Artificial, bionic-like eyes, similar to the ones in the iconic image of "The Terminator," are another step closer to becoming reality. The trick for researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign was that in order to make a tiny video camera work like an eye, it must be shaped like an eye.

Researchers have discovered a potential drug for the most common kind of muscular dystrophy. As this ScienCentral News video explains, they're using a protein already found in the human body to combat muscle damage.

More than 150 years later, researchers are using Thoreau's records to gather evidence of how the climate has warmed in the area of Walden Pond, in Concord , Massachusetts, a few miles from Boston.

Biologists are comparing country bumpkins and city slickers...among birds. Find out how our feathered friends compare in the age-old debate.

"Is that skin cancer?" Even experts can be confused by skin moles that might or might not be melanomas. But now diagnosing the aggressive skin cancer is about to become easier. As this ScienCentral News video explains, researchers have developed a new test for melanoma that could prevent it from being misdiagnosed.

Some hollow bones are providing solid new evidence of how birds evolved from dinosaurs. Scientists have discovered a new carnivorous dinosaur that breathed like a bird.

The sounds of birds chirping and fluttering outside your bedroom window are a welcome sign of spring, but scientists have evidence that suggests birds are nesting earlier due to global warming. And the harmful consequences aren't just for the birds, as this ScienCentral video explains.

Feeling like you're suffering from brain drain and you can't concentrate? Psychologists have now found out that taking some time to interact with nature, even in cold weather, can make you a bit smarter.

New research gives a possible explanation for why some of us are thrill seekers and others like to play it safe. The study found that some of us can't control the release of a certain brain chemical.

The so-called "cuddle hormone" is known to increase generosity and trust. Now a new study shows it can improve a certain kind of memory.