Thursday, 9 February, 2012

Woman is rescued in wilderness after 5-week ordeal. What is so great about wilderness, and why do so many people think they need it to soothe their souls?

Depression causes more disability than diabetes, cancer or stroke. What causes depression? How is it treated? Can we improve treatment?

Too good to be true: Could a 15-minute essay on your personal values improve school performance among minority students? A new study says yes.

It’s a fact of life: Hurricanes and floods happen. So why are people rebuilding in the path of storms and floods? Is there a smarter way to plan development?

As kids spend more times indoors, experts wonder what is being lost. Do humans need nature?

Science shows a correlation between happiness and health, success and fulfillment. But do they make us happy? Or are we healthy and wealthy because we are happy?

If (gasp!) the subject is too big for a Whyfile, hit the books. Here, we review four great science books, on evolution, environment, fighting nature, and discovering motherly love.

In sarcasm, words don’t mean what they seem. How does the brain interpret sarcasm? Where does it figure out that “You’re doing great” is meant as an insult?

Researchers marvel at the traps set by ingenious ants to capture flying and jumping prey that might otherwise escape.

Deaf Bedouin people invent a new sign language, studies show that standard word order develops quickly.