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Unveiling the science behind a beautiful singing voice

Expert listeners can often form an immediate impression of a singer's performance. But what exactly in the voice drives that judgment? In classical vocal competitions, performers are rated on an overall score. However, the criteria behind that score are rarely made explicit.

Some cats are shy, just like human infants

Some cats display a complex mixture of fear and curiosity, which is similar to shyness observed in human infants, according to a study published Nov. 4, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Madoka Hattori at Kyoto University, Japan, and colleagues.

The Myth of Mommy Brain

A conversation with neuroscientist Susana Carmona, author of “A Mother’s Brain,” about how the brain changes in motherhood The post The Myth of Mommy Brain appeared first on Nautilus .

How a cell surface protein slows down the Ebola virus

The Ebola virus can cause severe, often life-threatening disease in humans. To replicate, it must enter human cells and exploit their cellular processes. In doing so, it encounters natural defense mechanisms that can make infection more difficult.

Nature's looking glass: Crafting mirrors from plants

Natural materials, ranging from butterfly wings to mother-of-pearl, can exhibit an array of optical effects. In trying to reproduce these effects, scientists have found it challenging to use biodegradable, sustainable raw ingredients while also achieving the high levels of

Foot-stiffening socks could make walking less tiring

Human feet are much stiffer than those of other primates, which means they limit midfoot bending during walking. The evolutionary reasons for this are not entirely clear. One idea is that the features that stiffen the foot evolved to make upright walking less effortful.

Wild animals can now GPS-collar themselves for research

For six decades, wildlife researchers have faced a persistent challenge: to attach a tracking device to study a wild animal, they first have to catch it. Now, a new approach developed at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) allows GPS collars to be deployed

The Original X-Men

These intellectual superheroes revolutionized science in Britain and beyond by developing independent research The post The Original X-Men appeared first on Nautilus .