Headlines from January 20, 2010

Why Democrats lost Kennedy's seat in Massachusetts: It's the economy, health reform, and also that the state typically swings G.O.P.
Author Robert B. Parker, creator of Spenser, dies, age 77; a collection of reactions and tributes.
John Lennon countered that "Love means having to say you're sorry every 15 minutes." Love Story author Erich Segal dies, age 72.
The problem with book prizes is that there isn't one prize to rule them all; here's the solution to that.
Gary Fincke remembers his mother's love of crossword puzzles--and her distaste for peeking at the answers.
Hitchens launches, wins a war against "like."
Those crumbs often have a more concentrated Doritos flavor. George Saunders knows our troops have a junk food problem.
Scientists grow pork in a petri dish, but have work to do to perfect the texture.
N.A.S.A space shuttles on sale for half-off.
Photos: Icy earth shots from space.
Obama is our most well-traveled president.
We want to know: What's your cure for the common cold?
"How bad for the environment can throwing away one plastic bottle be?" 30 million people wonder.
The streets of Park Slope, Brooklyn, depicted by the college stickers on parked cars.
Video: An animated explanation of the Conan/Leno battle erupts into questionable use of superhero copyrights.
F.B.I. says bin Laden may now resemble a Spanish parliamentarian.
One year later, all hail Michelle Obama: energetic, committed, casual but serious.
Instapaper for the commute: Understanding Obama as a father.
Study shows political affiliation can be determined on the face; Republicans: powerful, Democrats: warm.
People from Brooklyn, Queens, or out of town are more talkative; old-school Manhattanites never want to talk. Cabbie tells all.
A financial solution for museums: Bring Cézanne to town.
Between 1977 and 2002, the percent of the American population eating three or more snacks a day increased to 42% from 11%.
Literary theory is dead among scholars, neuroscience is the rage, says professor.
Op: When physician-reporters become heroes, they exploit victims' suffering for the PR goals of their employers.
Identical snowflakes do exist, but that shouldn't dim our appreciation of their diversity.
Graphic-design history of the most popular snowflake in the world.
British department store launches divorce registry service.
Hilarious account by Nico Muhly on what he does to compose a 30-minute new work for violin and tenor.
Video: The 76-Second Travel Show, produced by Lonely Planet's U.S. travel editor.
"Who stole my dead husband?" and other strange Google autocompletes.