Brooke Horton

Bio

Brooke is a scientist by training and writer by nature. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan who has performed research in neuroscience, cancer biology, and genomics. Her articles focus on the intersection of science with daily life. See more at www.BrookeNHorton.com
Sponsored
How to Succeed in Science, According to Some of the World's Brightest Female Scientists
By Brooke Horton
Somewhere out there, a little girl is in total awe of the beauty and power of science. She loves her GoldieBlox, is testing out Girls Who Code and along the way internalized the message that girls belong in science. Unfortunately, there’s a good…
Bill Nye Responds to 7 Real Arguments Made by Climate Change Deniers
By Brooke Horton
It's been cold this winter. We've learned to wrap up, layer and double-scarf. The South even learned to drive in an icy mess (kind of). Unfortunately the cold brought out more than heavy jackets. Climate change deniers got on their soapboxes and…
Can You Beat Most Americans at the National Science Quiz? Take the Test
By Brooke Horton
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently released information about how well the American public knows basic science concepts. It turns out, not so well. In fact, one in four people are convinced that the sun orbits the Earth. Since that…
Why Some Olympic Athletes Choke, While Others Are Unstoppable
By Brooke Horton
Much of the coverage of the 2014 Olympic Games has been political. Yet there have been a few great plotlines in the events themselves, from the cross country skiier who lost his ski, to the figure skater who got "bullshit" scores, to the famous…
7 Photos Reveal the Fascinating Science Behind How Drugs Affect the Human Body
By Brooke Horton
The debate over drugs is often missing real information, and it's led to some bizarre policy choices. For instance, while the debate over legalizing marijuana is taking center stage, we don't even know much about it. The Drug Enforcement Agency…
Sea Slugs Like it Rough
By Brooke Horton
Nature has some pretty strange sexual practices, but a species of Australian sea slugs takes the cake. When this lovely creature inseminates its mate, he also stabs it in the head and injects mind-altering hormones. This sea slug, Siphopteron…
The Biology of Booze: How to Outsmart Your Hangover
By Brooke Horton
At one time or another, most of us have spent time worshiping the porcelain god after a good time turned bad. Instead of reading another list article telling you to drink water to avoid a hangover, let's get into the science of alcohol's effects on…
Scientists Nearing Huge Breakthrough to Treat NFL Concussions
By Brooke Horton
The NFL has been in hot water for the past few years after scientists linked cognitive and behavioral changes to severe or multiple concussions. More than 4,500 former NFL players are suffering from neurological disorders, like dementia and…
How Instagram Affects Your Memory
By Brooke Horton
From particularly appealing lunches to a Pic Stitch of way too adorable pets in winter sweaters, we now document nearly every facet of our lives, but a new study published in the journal of Psychological Science seems to suggest that taking photos…
The Science of Smoking Weed: How Marijuana Affects Your Molecules
By Brooke Horton
Next time you burn one down, thank the sea squirt for your ability to enjoy it. This very distant, gelatinous relative was the first organism to develop the ability to respond to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. When humans joined the…