The more that I looked at DNA, the more I realized it was nature and nurture. It's how genes and your environment work together to produce the person you are. Sam Kean dnaenvironmentgene Change image and share on social
If stem cells divide equally, so both daughter cells look more or less the same, each one becomes another stem cell. If the split is unequal, neurons form prematurely. Sam Kean celldaughterdivide Change image and share on social
The hippocampus helps record both types of memories initially, and it helps retain them for the medium term. The hippocampus also helps us access old personal memories in long-term storage in other parts of the brain. Sam Kean accessbrainhelp share on social
Geneticists in the early 1900s believed that nature - in an effort to avoid wasting precious space within chromosomes - would pack as many genes into each chromosome as possible. Sam Kean 1900savoidbelieve Change image and share on social
We know that genes shape human cultures and human societies: The DNA we inherited from our ancestors makes certain foods taste better, affects the way we care for children, influences what colors we find vibrant, and contributes to our love of socializing, among other examples. Sam Kean affectancestorcare share on social
Among physicists and chemists, cold fusion - nuclear fusion at close to room temperature - enjoys a reputation about on par with creationism. Sam Kean chemistclosecold Change image and share on social
In a vague way, I always knew neurosurgery was different - more delicate, more difficult, more demanding. After all, we say things like, 'I'm no brain surgeon,' for a reason. Sam Kean braindelicatedemand Change image and share on social
After about 1940, scientists generally stopped looking for elements in nature. Instead, they had to create them by smashing smaller atoms together. Sam Kean atomcreateelement Change image and share on social
Junk DNA - or, as scientists call it nowadays, noncoding DNA - remains a mystery: No one knows how much of it is essential for life. Sam Kean calldnaessential Change image and share on social
People adored Element 13's color and luster, which reminded them of the sparkle of gold and silver - a brand-new precious metal. In fact, aluminum became more precious than gold and silver in the 19th century because it was harder to obtain. Sam Kean 19thadorealuminum share on social
