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
When first presented with the jumble of the periodic table, I scanned for mercury and couldn't find it. It is there - between gold, which is also dense and soft, and thallium, which is also poisonous. But the symbol for mercury, Hg, consists of two letters that don't even appear in its name. Sam Kean consistdensefind share on social
Cancer is really a DNA disease... We have these certain genes that prevent our cells from growing out of control at the expense of the body. And it's a pretty good, robust system. But if a couple of these genes fail, then that's when cancer starts, and cells start growing out of control. Sam Kean bodycancercell share on social
What I find fascinating is the idea that we all have a physical brain, but we also have this mental part, and we have to figure out how they work together. Sam Kean brainfascinatefigure Change image and share on social
We human beings are humane in part because we can look beyond our biology. Sam Kean beingbiologyhuman Change image and share on social
The most profound change that genetics brings about might not be scientific at all. It might be mental and even spiritual enrichment: a more expansive sense of who we humans are, existentially, and where we came from, and how we fit with other life on earth. Sam Kean bringchangeearth share on social
Brains, you see, vary a lot from person to person - they vary as much as faces do. Sam Kean brainfacelot Change image and share on social
Something funny certainly happens when palladium and platinum come into contact with hydrogen gas; it's one of the great mysteries still waiting to be solved on the periodic table. But it's quite a leap from 'something funny' to cold fusion. Sam Kean coldcontactfunny share on social