About Scott LaFee

Scott LaFee

Scott LaFee

Scott LaFee is a viviparous, omnivorous, longitudinally symmetrical carbon-based male biped and staff member of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Since 1992, he has been the chief writer for Quest, the paper's award-winning weekly science section, where he covers all manner of scientific news and features, from the inner workings of the brain to the physical nature of "nothingness" -- the stuff between stuff.

LaFee has written two syndicated columns for Creators. Archives of Eureka! can be found here. Or read Wellnews  - new releases weekly.  

He is married with two young sons, whom he coaches in soccer and swimming when not explaining why dead spiders' legs curl up (failed hydraulics) or how 8 feet of DNA can be squeezed into every cell (very carefully).

LaFee lives in La Mesa, Calif., with his hominid family and their several nonhuman pets: two tortoises, three fire-bellied toads, a rat, a rabbit and a dog named Dave.

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When Dr. Google Wins Jul 15, 2026

In a recent poll by The Physicians Foundation, more than six in 10 doctors surveyed said their patients were influenced by misinformation and/or disinformation at least a moderate amount over the past year. Rural physicians appeared to experience the... Read More

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Sleep Quality May Be Writ in Spit Jul 08, 2026

New research suggests your quality of sleep can be measured through metabolic changes in your saliva. Swiss scientists studied 20 healthy young men who normally sleep seven to nine hours a night. The men underwent three experimental conditions in ran... Read More

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The Long and Short of American Life Expectancy Jul 01, 2026

U.S. life expectancy ranks roughly 55th in the world, just behind Panama, according to the United Nations. After generations of improvement, life expectancy in this country has barely budged since the 2010s. Some evidence points to distinct phenomena... Read More

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Coming Clean on Hair Treatment Products Jun 24, 2026

In the textured hair care market, products labeled "clean beauty" are increasingly popular, the implication being that the phrase indicates the hair treatment for curly, coily and wavy hair is natural and chemical-free. Well, maybe not. Like a lot o... Read More