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an illustration of men and women with their brains superimposed over the heads
Is there really a difference between male and female brains? Emerging science is revealing the answer. Brain scans, postmortem dissections, artificial intelligence and lab mice reveal differences in the brain that are linked to sex. Do we know what they mean?
A close-up of a doctor loading a syringe with a dose of a vaccine
'Vaccine rejection is as old as vaccines themselves': Science historian Thomas Levenson on the history of germ theory and its deniers Live Science spoke with author Thomas Levenson about his new book on the history of germ theory.
An illustration of colorful lines converging to make the shape of a human iris and pupil
Scientists hijacked the human eye to get it to see a brand-new color. It's called 'olo.' Using an experimental technique called "Oz," researchers stimulated the human retina such that people saw a brand-new color.

Latest about Health

African American twin sisters wearing headphones enjoying music in the park, wearing jackets because of the cold.

Study of 9,000 twins reveals genetics influences how much you enjoy music

By Clarissa Brincat published

Genes affect different aspects of music enjoyment — from the emotional reactions that compositions evoke to the social connection music can foster.

Genetics
Vitesy Eteria being tested by our reviewer

Vitesy Eteria personal air purifier review: Filterless appliance for the eco-conscious

By Anna Gora published

Reviews It uses a washable photocatalytic filter instead of replaceable HEPA filters. But is it a game-changer, or a missed opportunity?

Reviews
A collage of four MRI brain scans in black and white (two images on top of two others) against a blurred background.

The exceptionally rare disease that causes holes to form in your brain

By Emily Cooke last updated

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is an extremely rare and fatal brain-wasting disease that's like a human version of "mad cow."

Viruses, Infections & Disease
Urobag showing the worm (left), The worm in a tray (right).

Diagnostic dilemma: A man who couldn't pee had been infected by one of the largest known human parasites

By Christoph Schwaiger published

A 35-year-old man who couldn't pass urine learned that the cause of his obstruction was a giant worm living in his kidney.

Health
an illustration of a needle piercing a round cell

First baby conceived with remotely operated 'automated IVF' has been born

By Elana Spivack published

Performed remotely in Mexico by engineers and embryologists in New York, an automated fertility treatment resulted in conception and, more recently, a live birth.

Fertility, Pregnancy & Birth
3D computer illustration of the spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, or group-A Streptococcus, bacteria.

'Flesh-eating' infections that liquefy tissues can affect the vulva, doctors warn

By Jess Thomson published

Doctors in the U.K. have warned gynecologists of the risks of necrotizing fasciitis in the external genitalia after seeing several cases.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
Sickle cell anaemia. Artwork showing normal red blood cells (round), and red blood cells affected by sickle cell anaemia (crescent shaped). This is a disease in which the red blood cells contain an abnormal form of haemoglobin (bloods oxygen-carrying pigment) that causes the blood cells to become sickle-shaped, rather than round. Sickle cells cannot move through small blood vessels as easily as normal cells and so can cause blockages (right). This prevents oxygen from reaching the tissues, causing severe pain and organ damage.

Sickle cell 'crises' linked to menstrual cycle

By Jennifer Zieba published

In a new study, researchers found that the inflammation behind painful episodes in sickle cell disease are correlated with the menstrual cycle.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
Image shows a woman standing on a smart scale with exercise equipment in the background

Best smart scales 2025: Track body composition in the comfort of your home

By Maddy Biddulph, Anna Gora last updated

BUYING GUIDE These are the best smart scales to buy in every category, from Withings Body to Renpho smart scale.

BUYING GUIDE
a woman with insomnia sits in bed

Why do we get a 'second wind' of energy at the end of the day?

By Clarissa Brincat published

That second wave of energy is a normal part of the human circadian rhythm, but lifestyle factors also play a role.

Sleep
a close-up of two rats nuzzling their heads together

Do animals have orgasms?

By Elana Spivack published

Though research on sexual experience in nonhuman animals is limited to primates and rodents, there's reason to think that they have an "orgasm-like response" during sex.

Sex
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