Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty.

In my high-school English classes, I often tell my students that they write their papers backwards: They devise a thesis and then look for evidence to support it. They’ll find what they want to see, I ...

This is a column about a helpful trick that will radically improve your memory with minimal effort so you can learn faster. But before I get to the science behind the technique and how it can help ...

Rachel is a freelancer based in Echo Park, Los Angeles and has been writing and producing content for nearly two decades on subjects ranging from tech to fashion, health and lifestyle to entertainment ...

Working on your novel? Hoping to finish that movie script? Help yourself along with the top writing apps we've tested based on their ease-of-use, features, and cost. I'm an expert in software and work ...

Concentration is the mental effort you put into a task. You might lose concentration due to distractions, lack of sleep, aging, or health conditions. Consider talking with a doctor or therapist if ...

This widely used method of calculating returns considers a portfolio's cash flows Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles ...

National security, unlocked. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly and a team of NPR correspondents discuss the biggest national security news of the week. With decades of reporting from battlefields ...

If you aren’t using hormonal contraception, you may be able to induce your menstrual period naturally. Modifying your exercise routine, relieving stress, eating certain fruits and vegetables, and even ...

Independent verification of data is a fundamental principle of scientific research across the disciplines. The self-correcting mechanisms of the scientific method depend on the ability of researchers ...

Holotomography is a 3D, label-free optical imaging technique that uses refractive index as a quantitative contrast for imaging. This Primers discusses the significant potential of holotomography for ...