Knowtex

Since the Nobel Prizes were established in 1901, more than 860 people and organizations have been awarded a Nobel Prize. Yet, just 44 of those prizes have gone to women. Many experts say a history of discrimination in the sciences is likely the cause.

Adam Steltzner's father told him he wouldn't amount to much. He spent his youth barely passing school and "studying sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll," he says. Then he found a purpose in the stars — and led the team that dreamed a daring new scheme to get NASA's latest rover on Mars.

Olympians from the 1912 games seem a bit shorter, a bit scrawnier, a bit more ... average. Over the past century, elite athletes' bodies have changed a lot, and this evolution has been propelled by the laws of physics.

It isn't just that fewer women choose to go into fields involving science, engineering, technology and math. Even when they do and are successful, women are more likely than men to quit. Psychological research suggests the gender disparity may be the result of of a vicious psychological cycle.

Is reality invented by our minds or are there truths "out there" for us to grasp? These are age-old questions that we have yet to fully answer. Still, we keep trying.

The standard advice for losing weight often comes up short for people who are obese.

Debra Meyerson was hiking near Lake Tahoe 15 months ago when a stroke destroyed part of the left side of her brain, leaving her literally speechless. It happens to more than 150,000 Americans a year.

Linda Wertheimer talks to Sree Sreenivasan, digital media professor and dean of student affairs at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, about notable social media tools that cropped up in 2011.

Just as wars over oil played a major role in 20th century history, a new book makes a convincing case that many 21st century conflicts will be fought over water.

New research in psychology suggests that our favorite popular songs contain more messages about sex and reproduction than do less-favored songs. Is our evolved psyche at work here? Commentator Barbara J. King considers the evidence.