Ferris Jabr

Scientific American

Latest articles by Ferris Jabr

The flu shot stimulates immunity against a protein called hemagglutinin, which extends from the surface of the flu virus. Hemagglutinin (shown here as little spikes) has a "head" and a "stem."

How Does the Flu Actually Kill People?

By Ferris Jabr published

Every year the common virus is lethal to many. What happens inside the body that results in death?

Flu
Full length of muscular guy doing pushups on black background

The Psychology of Effective Workout Music

By Ferris Jabr published

New research clarifies why music and exercise make such a good team, and how to create an optimal workout playlist.

Psychology
brainpower

Does Thinking Hard Really Burn More Calories?

By Ferris Jabr published

Unlike physical exercise, mental workouts probably do not demand significantly more energy than usual. Believing we have drained our brains, however, may be enough to induce weariness

Mind
A 9-year-old Australian boy's brain has been shrinking since birth. He may have an unidentified neurodegenerative disorder.

Boy's Shrinking Brain Baffles Doctors

By Ferris Jabr published

They search for genetic answers to explain why his brain has been withering away since birth.

Neuroscience
A pigeon hatchling still arresting in an asymmetrical position between the egg shells, with its left eye nestled in the dark among sprouting feathers and its right eye exposed to light while pressed up against the egg shell.

Pirate-Eye Pigeons Reveal How the Brain Talks to Itself

By Ferris Jabr published

During development, pigeon embryos "wear a patch" on one eye, which is essential for brain development.

Birds
Snow topped Kilimanjaro framed by the open woodland of Amboseli

Want to Climb Kilimanjaro? Gene Tests Predict Altitude Sickness

By Ferris Jabr published

The tests may also spare soldiers from debilitating sickness at high altitudes.

Health