Chimpanzees Stick to Gender Stereotypes

The nature vs nurture debate is one of science’s longer-running questions, and it doesn’t seem likely it will be settled any time soon. But a newly-published study shows the issue isn’t confined to the human race. Sonya Kahlenberg of Bates College, Maine, and Richard Wrangham of Harvard University have published an article in Current Biology […]

Why the other line is likely to move faster [Video]

In the following video, Bill Hammack of engineerguy.com reveals how “queueing theory” – originally developed by engineers to route phone calls – can be used to design efficient check out lines, and why, in stores with non optimized lines, the other lines always seem to move faster. Previously on [GaS]: How Quartz Watches Work: The […]



No need for science says new UK drug policy

When drawing up legislation or regulations covering recreational drugs, it’s important to get advice from scientists. Until this week, I’d have considered that a statement of fact. It turns out it’s merely an opinion, and one not shared by the British government. A proposed new law in the country would remove an existing requirement for […]

Geeks from History: Napoleon

By Sterling “Chip” Camden Contributing Writer, [GAS] While manipulating the French Revolution for his own ends and conquering Europe in his spare time, Napoleon Bonaparte was first and foremost a geek at heart. He was passionate about science and math. Napoleon remembered his early school days like many of us: “every one said of me: […]

Genuine Sonic Screwdriver in the Works

British engineers are exploring the possibility of a real-life sonic screwdriver. Bruce Drinkwater, professor of ultrasonics at Bristol University, doesn’t expect to make a working model particularly soon. But he’s working on at least proving the concept is possible. The idea is to build on existing work using ultrasonic forcefields to separate out diseased cells […]