Sharon Begley

Let's face it: the vast majority of genetics studies have been on middle-class, middle-aged white guys. In addition to insulting other ethnic groups by calling the results of these studies the human genome, the lack of diversity poses the risk of serious miscalculations—which is why Archbishop Desmond Tutu has had his complete genome sequenced.

Ben Curtis / AP-poolKing Tut, removed from his sarcophagus, in 2007. A study being published this afternoon trumpets an analysis supposedly revealing how the boy pharaoh, King Tutankhamen, died, but for my money the study's conclusion about how he looked is more intriguing.Both results emerge from what the researchers call "molecular Egyptology," in this case an analysis of DNA extracted from the bones of 11 royal mummies of the New Kingdom.

Physicists create conditions not seen since the big bang.

A new study finds serious problems with stem cells produced from adult cells.

Paralyzing the "frown" muscles also inhibits the ability to understand anger and sadness.

Research on the cost-effectiveness of medical treatments pits our emotions against our pocketbooks.

Why patenting genes is a bad idea.

But it's not likely to affect the anti-vaccine movement.

Studies suggest that the popular drugs are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, they may be worse.

Gender differences in what makes us jealous has nothing to do with 'caveman DNA.'

A new study shows women who won't benefit still get the tests.

The promise—and the hype—of changing your DNA through behavior.

The CDC's vaccination advice for the over-65 set has been misleading.

Does the Web change how we think?

The psychology behind Iranian support for the country's nuclear program.

What new research about how dams affect rainfall says about man-made climate change.

Can we now try climate talks that actually have a chance of working?

The partisan divide over science.

Hacked e-mails have compromised scientists—but not the science itself.

Stephen Schneider's new book exposes the politics of climate science.

DNA takes you only so far.

Why skipping self-exams may be even more controversial.

Climate scientist James Hansen talks about global warming, Copenhagen, and his new book.

The 192 countries flocking to Copenhagen next month won't reach consensus on climate change. That won't stop them from acting alone.

When it's a key to boosting creativity.

Researchers say people with a certain gene variant are more likely to have credit-card debt.

A new study finds the roots of language in newborns' first sounds

Depression might be evolution's way of fixing what ails us

Why Neanderthals went extinct.

Why it's so easy to justify our bad behavior.