If ancient hominids existed today, they might have a bone to pick with their vegetarian descendants. Meat gave our distant ancestors the brain power that makes higher-level decision-making—like, becoming a vegetarian—possible, according to researchers speaking on Feb. 20 at the 2011 AAAS meeting in Washington, D.C.

As analytical techniques become increasingly sensitive, scientists understand more about environmental chemicals than ever before. And as researchers peer more closely at the effects of pollutants on the lives of their subjects, ethical concerns have arisen, speakers observed on Feb. 20 at the 2011 AAAS meeting in Washington, D.C.

An advanced computer technique called Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) is helping researchers study how the intricate dynamics between people and the places they inhabit explain changes in both over time, according to researchers speaking Feb. 18 at the 2011 AAAS meeting in Washington, D.C.

Learning that we're not alone in the universe could spark street riots, global economic shutdown, or grave announcements of apocalypse from religious leaders. But it's much more likely that none of those things will happen, according to one astronomer.