The 20 most popular research stories of 2017
New clues to Alzheimer’s disease, helping kids deal with stress, understanding why our universe is three-dimensional and—of course—electric eels all appear in this year’s look back on the Vanderbilt research stories that were visited the most on Vanderbilt’s website in 2017.
20. Teach for America service leads to empathy
(iStock)19. DNA duplicator small enough to hold in your hand
18. ‘Mind’s eye blink’ proves ‘paying attention’ is not just a figure of speech
Mind’s eye blink (Keith Wood / Vanderbilt)17. Tolerance, participation in local government up in the Americas
16. Vanderbilt Poll: Tennesseans cooling on Trump, favor ACA provisions
15. Autism & Innovation center established to help people with ASD find meaningful work
14. Vanderbilt begins Phase 1 trials of new Alzheimer’s drug
(iStock)13. Biologist reaches into electric eel tank, comes out with equation to measure shocks
12. New research identifies best coping strategies for kids
Parents can play an important role in helping children and teens dealing with stress. (iStock)11. Alien particles from outer space are wreaking low-grade havoc on personal electronic devices
Cascade of energetic particles produced by cosmic ray hitting the atmosphere. (Courtesy of ASPERA/Novapix/L.Bret)10. Dementia linked to diet
(iStockphoto)9. Fish eyes may hold key to regenerating human retinas
(iStock)8. Gene mutation discovery may hold autism clues: study
(iStock)7. RTI is getting a bad rap, say education researchers
(iStock)6. Visual intelligence is not the same as IQ
Isabel Gauthier holding a three-dimensional model of a greeble, one of the novel objects used in her test of visual intelligence. (Vanderbilt)5. Filling the early universe with knots can explain why the world is three-dimensional
(Keith Wood / Vanderbilt)4. Ultrathin device harvests electricity from human motion
3. Smart underwear prevents back stress with just a tap
2. Sugars in human mother’s milk are non-toxic antibacterial agents
1. Sorry, Grumpy Cat—Study finds dogs are brainier than cats