Being Human

People who live in older city neighbourhoods where people tend to walk are less likely to be obese

Athletes that boost performance using genetic modification would be hard to spot, but taking such techniques from animals to humans is proving tricky (full text available to subscribers)

A model that mimics the movements of drunken crowds might help find ways to design streets so that they direct late-night revellers safely home (full text available to subscribers)

An unconditional, general reliance on a single authority is never sensible, whatever god it may invoke, says philosopher Mary Midgley (full text available to subscribers)
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Rethinking the rational underpinning of our society is a daunting task, but we are risking a lot if we don't make the attempt (full text available to subscribers)

From bioterror and nuclear war to an asteroid hit, the threat from a mega-catastrophe is diminishing (full text available to subscribers)

When rational thinking is threatened by everyone from fundamentalists to pseudoscientists, what can you do but counterattack?

An unconditional, general reliance on a single authority is never sensible, whatever god it may invoke, says philosopher Mary Midgley (full text available to subscribers)

A model that mimics the movements of drunken crowds might help find ways to design streets so that they direct late-night revellers safely home (full text available to subscribers)

Science can be an inspiration, but it can't take the leaps of faith that art can, says 2002 Turner prizewinning artist

Rethinking the rational underpinning of our society is a daunting task, but we are risking a lot if we don't make the attempt (full text available to subscribers)

Cynical use of the appearance of science is part of the armoury of the PR industry, but the defence is simple, says sociologist

Flavours consumed by the mother can get transferred to her milk – the finding may mean that breast-fed children are more open to new foods later on

Socially withdrawn parents with autistic children seem to analyse facial expressions in the same way as people with the condition

If we had to think consciously about everything we did, we would never do anything at all, says neuroscientist

We can't assume that reason alone will tell us how to shape a moral and humane world, says

Do we know, for certain, that two plus two is four? Of course we don't. But we must be reasonable about it, says mathematician

The fruits of reason have transformed our world and brought many benefits, but they have also brought problems, says bioethicist

UNESCO will soon pass an extensive plan to preserve the world's undersea heritage, but is banning commercial treasure hunters the answer? (full text available to subscribers)