Latest from Human Science

Scientists read the minds of the living dead
Scientists have succeeded in reading the mind of a man thought to have been lacking all awareness after a traumatic head injury.

You don't have to be bipolar to be a genius - but it helps
Scientists have for the first time found powerful evidence that genius may be linked with madness.

<I>Lancet</I> withdraws paper on MMR vaccine-autism link
Medical journal's editors retract paper 12 years after it was published, saying several of its elements are "incorrect".

Gas link possible in Nelson nerve-disease deaths
Scientists are investigating a possible link between a rare degenerative nerve disease and a toxic gas blamed for four Nelson port workers 'deaths.

Under the weather? Just swallow a doctor
The day when patients can "swallow their doctor" has come a step closer with the development of a submicroscopic nanoparticle that acts as an intelligent pill.

Scientists stunned by fire-dancing chimps
Chimpanzees have been seen performing a "fire dance" in behaviour that could indicate an ability to understand and even control fire.

Darwin in New Zealand
Charles Darwin spent nine days in New Zealand in 1835. He disliked the young country, but his experience helped shape his monumental theories about evolution.

15 cigarettes all it takes to harm genes - study
Scientists have completed a full genetic analysis of the genomes of cancer patients, and hope the information will lead to a fundamental understanding of the causes of cancer.

PM: It's okay to give light smacks
John Key says a new review gives parents the go-ahead to lightly smack their children without the fear of prosecution.

Fight to preserve Tutankhamun's tomb begins
For the next five years, a team of scientists and Egyptologists from the Getty Research Institute in California will intensively study, then attempt to preserve Tutankhamun's tomb - a great archaeological wonder of the world.

Mass cannibalism site discovery
Evidence of mass cannibalism in which even children and unborn babies were on the menu has been uncovered in Germany by archaeologists.

On hold: the cellphone tumour rumour
With a pending World Health Organisation report on the effects of mobile phone usage on the brain, the evidence so far is pointing to good news. However, much is still unknown.

Beauty's in the eye of the researcher
A study by experts at Leeds University claims to have identified the optimum amount of flesh women should bare if they want to attract men.

NZ surgeon describes separating twins
A NZ surgeon who helped separate conjoined twins says none of the complications they had allowed for materialised.

Grandmas: Good for girls, bad for boys
Study shows only granddaughters are likely to benefit from having their paternal grandmothers involved in their early lives.

Survey: Women like to drink before sex
Women like to be drunk or tipsy before hopping into bed with a partner because it makes them feel more confident, a new study reveals.