Alyson Foster
A National Geographic Love Story
Posted by Alyson Foster on February 14, 2012 
Mabel Gardiner Hubbard was only five years old when scarlet fever rendered her deaf for life. At the age of 17, she would meet a young Scottish speech therapist who was destined to shape her life. We know him better as Alexander Graham Bell. This is their love story.
Simple Names Are Better When It Comes To Getting Ahead
Posted by Alyson Foster on February 13, 2012 
What your parents choose to call you may influence your life long after grade school is over. A new study has found that people with simple names are more likely to be promoted at work than those with names that are more difficult to say
Scientists Study the Mystery of the Dung Beetle “Dance”
Posted by Alyson Foster on January 23, 2012 
The dung beetle is an intriguing insect for more than one reason, but scientists have been particularly mystified by the “dance” the beetles perform while atop their balls of dung. In a recent study, a group of researchers set out to figure out what causes this unusual behavior.
Exposure to “Love Hormone” Increases Prosocial Behavior in Monkeys
Posted by Alyson Foster on January 9, 2012 
Oxytocin may not sound like something warm and fuzzy, but the hormone can make monkeys be nicer to other monkeys, according to researchers at Duke University.
Hairy Skin May Keep the Bedbugs From Biting
Posted by Alyson Foster on December 20, 2011 
Time to throw out your razor? A new study indicates that having hairier skin may help a person ward off bedbugs.
Changes In Ancient Humans’ Diet Made Wisdom Teeth Obsolete
Posted by Alyson Foster on November 23, 2011 
Other than a trip to the oral surgeon, there isn’t much a purpose for wisdom teeth, is there? A new study looks at why these molars are such a pain.
Scientists Making Efforts to Track Mythical Narwhals
Posted by Alyson Foster on November 7, 2011 
The long and spiraling tusk that grows from the center of the narwhal’s forehead has helped make that animal the subject of sailors’ lore and earned it the nickname “unicorn of the sea.” That nickname may be even more fitting given the narwhal’s almost mythical elusiveness. For a long time, very little has been known about the medium-sized whale that calls the inhospitable waters of the Arctic home. Now efforts are underway to find out more.
Cat Fight? Try Guppy Fight
Posted by Alyson Foster on October 12, 2011 
It doesn’t matter what your species is: the opposite sex causes you nothing but trouble. Scientists at the University of Exeter found that female guppies are more likely to fight with each other if a male is present.
The Upside to Embarrassment
Posted by Alyson Foster on October 4, 2011 
Blushing’s not so bad. A recent study by psychologists found that people who are easily embarrassed are more likely to be trusted than individuals who are harder to fluster.
Social Network Connects Members on a Gut Level
Posted by Alyson Foster on September 13, 2011 
MyMicrobes, a new social network started by scientists in the EU, hopes to match up members who share similar types of bacteria.
The Art (and Science) of Good Field Notes
Posted by Alyson Foster on August 22, 2011 
Despite how important they are to good research, there are few hard-and-fast rules for what goes into field notes. A new book offers an inside look into the notebooks of twelve scientists and how they record their observations for their work and for posterity.
Poet, Environmentalist: Thoreau Continues to Inspire
Posted by Alyson Foster on July 12, 2011 
Today is the 194th birthday of Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist and writer. Thoreau couldn’t have known it back in 1845 when he moved to Walden, but the two years he spent living in a cabin in the woods, and his writing about what he saw there would inspire generations of environmentalists and adventurers who hadn’t even been born yet.
Dogs Can Sniff Out the Differences Between Identical Twins
Posted by Alyson Foster on July 7, 2011 
You may not be able to tell the difference between these two diners, but your dog might be able to help you out. A recent study shows that some dogs can distinguish the difference between identical twins even when a DNA test cannot.
“Somewhat Beauty and Poetry”: Remembering Maria Mitchell
Posted by Alyson Foster on June 30, 2011 
This week marks the 122nd anniversary of Maria Mitchell’s death. This talented and unconventional astronomer not only discovered a never-before-seen comet, she helped blaze a trail for women who wanted a life in science.
Brains, Actually
Posted by Alyson Foster on June 9, 2011 
Acting may not be brain surgery, but Oscar winner Colin Firth can now add “brain researcher” to his resume. The actor recently urged scientists to explore how political views are reflected in a person’s brain structure.
Get Along to Live Long
Posted by Alyson Foster on May 20, 2011 Want to live a longer life? Be sure to eat well and exercise frequently. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to have friendly co-workers.
Distractibility May Be Caused By Excess Grey Matter
Posted by Alyson Foster on May 10, 2011 Being called a brainiac may be a compliment but when it comes to gray matter, a person can have too much of a good thing.
A Royal Wedding Primer
Posted by Alyson Foster on April 28, 2011 Do you know who the Baron of Renfrew is? If you are planning to watch the royal wedding of William and Kate Middleton this Friday it’s time to brush up on London and all things royal. Take a trip back in time through the pages of National Geographic, with articles and photos showing the royal traditions and pageantry that will be echoed this week.
Can This Book Help You Change the World? It’s a Start
Posted by Alyson Foster on April 22, 2011 Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century Alex Steffen, Editor Earth Day is upon us once again and with it come all the resolutions about living a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Switch out your old incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs? Check. Recycle your cans and bottles? Check. Trade in those plastic grocery bags for reusable totes? …
