Rachel Rettner, Live Science

Read the latest articles by Rachel Rettner, Live Science at Seeker

Mind

Health

Recently, a fake photo of a baby girl with a sparkly piercing in a dimple on her cheek went viral and incited outrage from many who assumed the photo was real.

Study Shows Just How Bad People Are at Spotting Fake Photos

Take a closer look at the medical news and discoveries impacting our health and wellbeing.

Health News, Headlines and Videos

Congressman Steve Scalise remains in critical condition today, after being shot in the hip on Wednesday (June 14).

Rep. Scalise's Bullet Injuries: How a Shot to the Hip Can Be So Damaging

Space & Innovation

More than a dozen people in Massachusetts suddenly developed severe amnesia, but there was no clear cause of their memory loss, leaving researchers puzzled about what exactly could have been behind these cases, according to a new report.

A Cluster of Mysterious Amnesia Cases Is Puzzling Researchers

There may be a way to tap into people's brain activity to boost their confidence, a new study suggests.

Researchers Tap Into Brain Activity to Boost Confidence

Animals

Earth & Conservation

A parasitic infection that's rare in the United States now appears to be showing up more often in American travelers, thanks in part to the growing trend of ecotourism, experts say.

Rare Parasitic Infection 'Leishmaniasis' Rising in the US

An experimental type of male birth control that uses shots of hormones to lower men's sperm counts works relatively well to prevent pregnancy, according to a new study.

Male Birth Control Is Effective but Brings Side Effects

The hops found in beer not only add flavor, but also may lessen the damaging effects of alcohol on the liver, a new study in mice suggests.

'Hoppy' Beer May Be Better for Your Liver

Cancer has passed heart disease as the leading cause of death in nearly half of U.S. states, according to a new report.

America's No. 1 Killer Is Changing

A man's craving for metal that led him to swallow 40 knives may sound bizarre, but such strange cravings can be symptoms of an eating disorder in which people ingest anything from dirt to talcum powder.

Man Swallows 40 Knives: What's the Weird Craving

Several patients who had been paralyzed in their lower limbs for years have now regained some feeling and movement in their limbs, after learning to control a robotic exoskeleton with their brain, a new study says.

Paralyzed Patients Move with Mind-Controlled Exoskeleton

Several Olympic athletes, including swimmer Michael Phelps, have appeared in Rio with odd-looking circular marks on their bodies.

Michael Phelps' Bruises: Does Cupping Work?

Pregnant women should avoid travel to a small part of Miami-Dade County in Florida where Zika appears to be spreading by mosquitoes, officials said today.

Rachel Rettner, Live Science’s Recent Articles

Study Shows Just How Bad People Are at Spotting Fake Photos

Participants in the study spotted fake photos about 60 percent of the time, which is only slightly better than what is expected by chance.

Rep. Scalise's Bullet Injuries: How a Shot to the Hip Can Be So Damaging

Scalise, who fell victim to a shooting at baseball practice, has received multiple blood transfusions and undergone several surgeries, and will likely remain in the hospital for weeks.

A Cluster of Mysterious Amnesia Cases Is Puzzling Researchers

In Massachusetts, 14 patients with a history of abusing drugs, including opioids, have developed anterograde amnesia.

Researchers Tap Into Brain Activity to Boost Confidence

Participants' confidence increased, even when they were making incorrect choices.

Rare Parasitic Infection 'Leishmaniasis' Rising in the US

The infection, transmitted by the sand fly, is showing up more in American travelers.

Male Birth Control Is Effective but Brings Side Effects

Participants dropped out of a trial of the drug because of side effects like mood swings and acne.

'Hoppy' Beer May Be Better for Your Liver

The finding in mice might be a reason why drinking hard liquor is more strongly associated with liver disease than drinking beer.

America's No. 1 Killer Is Changing

Deaths from cancer have nearly caught up with deaths from heart disease over the last several decades.

Man Swallows 40 Knives: What's the Weird Craving

People who eat nonfood materials for at least one month may have an eating disorder called pica.

Paralyzed Patients Move with Mind-Controlled Exoskeleton

In an unexpected twist, patients perceived sensations of touch below their spinal cord injury.

Michael Phelps' Bruises: Does Cupping Work?

It remains unclear if the treatments' benefits could be real or due to the placebo effect.

Pregnant Women Urged to Avoid Section of Miami

The announcement comes after officials in Florida said that 10 more people in the area appear to have contracted the virus from local mosquitoes.