In the womb, humans are free of microbes. Colonization begins during the journey down the birth canal, which is riddled with bacteria, some of which make their way onto the newborn's skin. Robin Marantz Henig bacteriumbeginbirth Change image and share on social
I'm a freelance writer, and I work alone at a big desk in the living room of my apartment. There are many days when I don't utter a single word to anyone but my husband. Robin Marantz Henig apartmentbigday Change image and share on social
Anxiety is not fear, exactly, because fear is focused on something right in front of you - a real and objective danger. Robin Marantz Henig anxietydangerfear Change image and share on social
Even though loneliness affects so many of us, it has gotten scant research attention compared to related conditions like depression or anxiety. Robin Marantz Henig affectanxietyattention Change image and share on social
To me, it's always interesting to see what people end up regretting, as a way maybe to avoid such regrets in your own life. Robin Marantz Henig avoidendinterest Change image and share on social
When a trait is universal, evolutionary biologists look for a genetic explanation and wonder how that gene or genes might enhance survival or reproductive success. Robin Marantz Henig biologistenhanceevolutionary Change image and share on social
The human brain has evolved the capacity to impose a narrative, complete with chronology and cause-and-effect logic, on whatever it encounters, no matter how apparently random. Robin Marantz Henig apparentlybraincapacity Change image and share on social
In the modern world, the anxious temperament does offer certain benefits: caution, introspection, the capacity to work alone. These can be adaptive qualities. Robin Marantz Henig adaptiveanxiousbenefit Change image and share on social
As the brain matures, one thing that happens is the pruning of the synapses. Synaptic pruning does not occur willy-nilly; it depends largely on how any one brain pathway is used. Robin Marantz Henig braindependlargely Change image and share on social
Hardships of early human life favored the evolution of certain cognitive tools, among them the ability to infer the presence of organisms that might do harm, to come up with causal narratives for natural events and to recognize that other people have minds of their own with their own beliefs, desires and intentions. Robin Marantz Henig abilitybeliefcausal share on social