Recalling City Sounds During a Quarantine
The New York Public Library presented the city with the gift of its own "missing sounds" during the coronavirus crisis.
15 Black Women Who Should Be (More) Famous
Honoring the scientists, poets, activists, doctors, and librarians--those we know and those we don't.
Bomber Plane or the Loch Ness Monster?
A Vickers Wellington plane was submerged for decades in the Loch Ness, till a group of Nessie hunters stumbled across mysterious sonar readings.
How Children Took the Smallpox Vaccine around the World
In 1803, nearly two dozen orphan boys endured long voyages and physical discomfort to transport the smallpox vaccine to Spain's colonies.
What Happens to All That Used PPE?
Gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment have kept us safe during the pandemic. Now they're washing up on beaches around the world.
Blaming People for Getting Sick Has a Long History
Four major theories of disease transmission dominated scientific discourse in the nineteenth century. As one scholar writes, all were political.
The Therapeutic Value of Horror Video Games
In stressful situations, seeking out even more stress can be cathartic.
Police Violence Is a Public Health Issue
Research makes the case that people who fear police violence are less likely to seek out health care.
When the Telephone Was Considered Feminine
Being difficult to understand on the other end of the line was a badge of masculinity.
Calling the Police, without Trusting the Police
A scholar finds nuanced reasoning among poor Black women facing difficult choices about whether to call the cops.