 The furry, the feathered, the famous and the edible have dominated government funding for protected species. Now, though, scientists say they're noticing a little more love for the unlovely, including a charisma-less, inedible Delta smelt. But efforts to restore the creature affect areas such as Mendota, Calif., which face water restrictions established to protect the smelt. (Photos By Alison Yin -- Alison Yin Photography)
Department of Human Behavior
Washington Post staff writer Shankar Vedantam writes about the sociology and psychology behind news events. 
The frozen landscape, dry valleys and active volcanoes that make up Antarctica provide a living laboratory for scientific study and a wondrous journey for those traveling to the ends of the Earth. Experience the continent with this special report.
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Are people projecting human emotion onto their four-legged friend? A new study concludes that behavior people interpret as dogs acting guilty is more likely just a reaction to subtle cues from their owners.
The more reliable an automated system, the more likely it is that humans in charge will "switch off" and lose their concentration, and the greater the likelihood that a confluence of unexpected factors will produce catastrophe.
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