Education

Is evolution a fact? How do the claims of creationists stack up against the fossil record and the actual science? Dr. Donald Prothero presents the evidence in a presentation based on his 2007 book (and more recent findings). Prothero is a paleontologist, geologist, author and science educator. He holds a Ph.D in geological sciences from …

Source: University of Chicago Many families believe religion plays an essential role in childhood moral development. But children of religious parents may not be as altruistic as those parents think, according to a new international study from the University of Chicago published Nov. 5 inCurrent Biology. A team of developmental psychologists led by Prof. Jean …

AN ARGUMENT often advanced for the encouragement of religion is that, to paraphrase St Matthew’s report of Jesus’s words, it leads people to love their neighbours as themselves. That would be a powerful point were it true. But is it? This was the question Jean Decety, a developmental neuroscientist at the University of Chicago, asked …

by Don Weenink Conservative Protestant rural youth are more often involved in violent crimes than their counterparts in urban areas, who also use less violence than average. The relationship between alcohol use and violence is also stronger among rural youth and among conservative Protestant rural youth in particular. These are the conclusions of sociologist Don Weenink …

Source: University of Missouri-Columbia ‘Dada’ is a first word for many babies. Babbling sounds with consonant-vowel repetitions, such as ‘dada,’ are common among infants once they reach 8 months old; however, these sounds are not prevalent among infants who have profound hearing loss — that is, until they receive cochlear implants. Now, University of Missouri …

by Stephanie Pappas Around the human ear are tiny, weak muscles that once would have let evolutionary ancestors pivot their ears to and fro. Today, the muscles aren’t capable of moving much — but their reflex action still exists. These muscles are vestigial, meaning they’re remnants of evolution that once had a purpose but no …

by Joey Savoie, Co-founder of Charity Science Before getting to know your local atheist, it’s very much worth rehashing the ABCs of non-belief that run the risk of remaining little known, especially now that the skeptic community has become more interested and active in charitable causes. Public intellectuals frequenting bestseller lists on our behalf are swift …

By Alexandra Ossola Carbon nanotubes are great for making stretchy super materials or detecting potentially harmful chemicals. But past studies have shown that they’re probably not so good to have in your lungs—over time, they could cause the lungs to break down, with effects similar to asbestos. For the first time, researchers have found them …

By Anna Wolfe

By Maryam Namazie

By Lawrence M. Krauss

By Scott A. Bass and Mary L. Clark