Pocket’s Best of 2022: Science

Speaking a second or even a third language can bring obvious advantages, but occasionally the words, grammar and even accents can get mixed up. This can reveal surprising things about how our brains work.

Ever wonder why old rich guys are looking a little more muscular these days?

Permafrost contains microbes, mammoths, and twice as much carbon as Earth’s atmosphere. What happens when it starts to melt?

Evolution uses all its tricks to make sure we procreate. But love in humans is a many-splendored thing.

An excerpt from “Beyond the Self: Conversations between Buddhism and Neuroscience.”

As tasks mount up, our brain’s ability to juggle goes down. Neuroergonomic tactics can relieve the cognitive burden.

When the brain encodes memories as positive or negative, one molecule determines which way they will go.

Sophia Papp emerged from an accident with her personality transformed. She tried to continue on as before—until she realized she could reinvent herself.

A growing number of men are undergoing a radical and expensive surgery to grow anywhere from three to six inches. The catch: It requires having both your femurs broken. GQ goes inside the booming world of leg lengthening.

In Iceland, traditionally a land of cat lovers, bans and curfews are redefining the human relationship with domestic cats.

Explore the stories that defined the year, and the ones we’ll still be talking about in 2023. Plus, discover the best long reads, smart advice, and entertaining culture writing that Pocket readers loved this year.