Arianne Cohen

Crowdfunding a project? Surprise! Well-known backers might do more harm than good

Researchers tracked over 2,000 projects on a top crowdfunding site for a month. What they found might cause you to rethink your fundraising strategy.

Crowdfunding a project? Surprise! Well-known backers might do more harm than good

Nothing to see here. Just city rats getting bigger and bigger

Scientists analyzed over 140,000 measurements from mammals over 80 years. They found that the urban dwellers are significantly (yikes!) longer and fatter.

Nothing to see here. Just city rats getting bigger and bigger

RepairSmith, flush with $42M in new funding, is coming to a driveway near you

The latest round of investors in the fast-growing startup includes two legacy auto companies, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Ventures.

RepairSmith, flush with $42M in new funding, is coming to a driveway near you

Ghosting on dating apps is annoying. Match wants to end it

When chats stall, Match users will receive nudges to continue the conversation, or a reminder to politely beg off.

Ghosting on dating apps is annoying. Match wants to end it

Pssst, Governor Cuomo: Study finds men have a big role to play in workplace gender equality

A new study from the University of Kansas found that simple statements of allyship from male colleagues can go a long way in the workplace.

Pssst, Governor Cuomo: Study finds men have a big role to play in workplace gender equality

Want to stop buying junk? Understand the psychology behind this marketing tactic

In the age of COVID, consumers are craving connections to people, places, and the past. Marketers know this.

Want to stop buying junk? Understand the psychology behind this marketing tactic

West Coast wildfires are displaying weird nighttime behavior, and that’s not good

‘Firefighters had been saying for several years that they feel some fires burn later into the evening than they used to.’

West Coast wildfires are displaying weird nighttime behavior, and that’s not good

Freshly joins the plant-based meal craze

The Nestlé-owned company is out with a new line of plant-based options, aimed to take on meal kits from services such as Purple Carrot and Hungry Root.

Freshly joins the plant-based meal craze

Passport renewal nightmare: Delays leave travelers with diminishing hope of going abroad in 2021

Planning a trip outside the U.S.? Is your passport ready to expire? The State Department is facing a major backlog.

Passport renewal nightmare: Delays leave travelers with diminishing hope of going abroad in 2021

Sleep debt in new mothers is associated with harrowing accelerated aging

Sleep scientists from UCLA have made a startling discovery about exhaustion and motherhood.

Sleep debt in new mothers is associated with harrowing accelerated aging

Is delta plus worse than the delta variant? Here’s what the latest research says

The “plus” is a bit misleading. Some researchers think it may be more resistant to some treatments, but more research is needed.

Is delta plus worse than the delta variant? Here’s what the latest research says

This is where hateful trolls go after they are banned from mainstream social media

Users who are booted from mainstream platforms often turn to low-moderation sites, according to new research. And their posts get even more toxic.

This is where hateful trolls go after they are banned from mainstream social media

Just getting more sleep might not improve productivity and well-being, a new study finds

A new MIT study suggests more sleep alone doesn’t improve performance or well-being, especially for people whose nighttime sleep is often interrupted.

Just getting more sleep might not improve productivity and well-being, a new study finds

Duolingo is now worth $6.5 billion, and its CEO is having a very big day

On the language app’s trading debut, Luis von Ahn talks future growth, the Pittsburgh advantage, and how K-pop is fueling an interest in learning Korean.

Duolingo is now worth $6.5 billion, and its CEO is having a very big day

Can vitamin D protect you from COVID-19? Here’s what the latest research says

Clinical trials are underway to definitively determine whether consuming vitamin D helps reduce the risk of COVID-19. Studies suggest it might.

Can vitamin D protect you from COVID-19? Here’s what the latest research says

Are bigger wildfires the new normal? This simulation suggests a decline after 10 years

Fires will be formidable for a decade or so then gradually decline, according to a model built by researchers at UW and UC Santa Barbara.

Are bigger wildfires the new normal? This simulation suggests a decline after 10 years

Stock up on toothpaste, shampoo, soup, and cereal now before prices jump even higher

Citing increased costs for packaging, ingredients, transport, and labor, consumer products companies continue to raise prices.

Stock up on toothpaste, shampoo, soup, and cereal now before prices jump even higher

Why neuroscientists say you shouldn’t play smartphone games to alleviate boredom

That mood boost you get will increase your urge to keep playing, feeding a cycle that will lead to less time for healthier pursuits.

Why neuroscientists say you shouldn’t play smartphone games to alleviate boredom

Want to go viral? Influencers won’t be much help if you’re trying to spread a complex idea

Research from the University of Pennsylvania finds that new and provocative ideas emerge at the edge of networks, from people with fewer contacts and little obvious pull.

Want to go viral? Influencers won’t be much help if you’re trying to spread a complex idea

Do I need to subscribe to see the Olympics? Here’s how to watch the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo

Here’s a quick-and-dirty cheatsheet for Olympics fans who want to watch or stream the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games.

Do I need to subscribe to see the Olympics? Here’s how to watch the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo

Impact

More than 10,000 John Deere workers are on strike

Reasons to hope: 16 companies, people, and ideas that might save the planet

7 of the most polluting industries are working on sector-wide strategies for decarbonization

News

With Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce, Popeyes just leveled up in the celebrity arms race

The ‘mountain’ of electronics we discard in 2021 could weigh more than the Great Wall of China

The candy corn debate is over

Co.Design

See NYC’s bold new subway map, inspired by Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 classic

Meet the landscape architect turning Superfund sites into must-see destinations

Sucking CO2 from the sky could help save the planet. But it faces a vexing design problem

Work Life

Is power going to your head? Research shows how leaders can be prone to make bad decisions

The science behind 7 great leadership principles

Why startup equity can feel like a scam—and how companies can fix it