Young American Scientists
Scientists are seen as oddballs, and that’s a problem
Scientific American
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How did we get here?
Construction of the Deep Synoptic Array is about to start in rural Nevada. It will reveal untold galaxies in stunning detail and help explain how they form and grow
A galaxy appears to be missing the invisible substance thought to hold such objects together, further challenging long-held assumptions about how galaxies form
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The first participant has been treated in a landmark clinical trial of cellular reprogramming, which aims to rejuvenate aging cells
New York Knicks
On Thursday Knicks fans are flocking to Manhattan for a ticker-tape parade. But where did ticker tape even come from?
Galapagos sharks have been spotted scrubbing off parasites with help from manta rays
July/August 2026 Issue
Presenting our inaugural class of Young American Scientists: 28 researchers who are redefining the future of science. For early-career scientists, it's a tumultuous time of funding cuts and general uncertainty. Their dedication and optimism, however, provide plenty of reason for hope.
Elsewhere in the issue: Labs That Run Themselves | How to Fix Science | Craig Venter's Final Interview
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Mikhail Verbitsky was detained at an Armenian airport last Thursday on charges of inciting terrorism
Despite funding woes, American scientists are finding reasons for optimism
Some mathematicians have predicted when humanity’s downfall might occur—though the circumstances are unspecified
The Young American Scientists
American science is at a crossroads, but these extraordinary people, with their passion for knowledge and their dedication to our competitive future, are building its next chapter.
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The great American brain drain could define science for a generation
Start your morning with today’s Spellements. Create as many words as you can from our daily selection of letters—including one tied to recent science news. Play now.
Why the human brain can't fathom what it means to be a trillionaire
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Dogs spontaneously aid struggling humans the way young children do—whereas cats wait until they stand to benefit
This partnership marks the latest foray into space exploration for Relativity Space, which aims to build cheap, reusable rockets
Tropical Storm Arthur is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and will bring heavy rains and potential flash flooding to the Southeast
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Billions of emerging insects will likely trigger predator population surges—but some species mysteriously opt out of such bounties
Even if you aren’t going to be within the path of totality, you can still watch the solar eclipse as it happens with Scientific American
Graves of hunter-gatherers in Siberia point to a deadly disease outbreak dating to some 5,500 years ago, a new DNA analysis finds
Discussions
“I am part of a group that gets together weekly for emotional support. Several of the people (all adults) are struggling with online social/media addiction although it is not a social media addiction group. So this is real not just for children but adults as well. The sites have a motivation to create that attachment, and their tools are endless…”
— Gabor
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Early research suggests that some mental health conditions could stem from metabolic disorders. If so, the findings could change how we treat mental illness
A cold, cherry-blossom-hued exoplanet supports bizarre clouds chock-full of salts
Robots and AI are running experiments around the clock, from battery chemistry to cancer therapies. But can they be trusted to get it right?
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Some countries have seen a stark decline in academic freedom over the past decade
People are increasingly turning to AI for mental health support—but its design is “antithetical” to mental health care, experts say
Exploring ice cores to foresee the effects of climate change
Scientific American Travel
2026 Solar Eclipse Mediterranean Cruise
Totality in the Mediterranean with Clara Moskowitz
Neuroscientist Kauê M. Costa talks about surprising results that are changing how we think dopamine works and how the brain really learns
The Trump administration is mulling new rules that would give political appointees final say on research grants
Scientific American used expert recommendations and data analysis to identify 28 exceptional early-career researchers
Novo Nordisk said this security incident affected patient data, including health information and birth year
This sparkling galaxy is home to a set of supernova remnants that showed variable brightnesses over 14 years of data
There are bright futures ahead for our first-ever Young American Scientist honorees
Find the lengths of the sides of the square in this math puzzle
The science historian talks about scientific integrity and public opinion
Fable 5 was built to help with advanced cybersecurity work. Its sudden shutdown highlights a dilemma at the heart of AI security: the same tools can aid both defenders and attackers
Making catalysts used in industrial processes hardier and more effective
The Nobel laureate on why the U.S. needs to treat scientific research as an essential part of the nation’s infrastructure
These young scientists are making waves in their own ways. Keep an eye on them—great things are ahead
Clocking the electrical messages between neurons using fluorescence
Developing artificial-intelligence systems to enhance digital art creation
Understanding the behavior of supermassive black holes
The HBCU president on the role of academic institutions in American innovation
Learning how the matrix around cells and tissues impacts cancers
It’s a complicated time to be a young scientist in America. Lessons from history can tell us what the future might hold
The machine-learning guru discusses how politics is undermining U.S. science
Using viruslike particles to deliver therapies safely and effectively
Scientists have modeled the potential size of this current outbreak, which some experts think could become one of the worst Ebola epidemics on record
The noted aging researcher talks about how scientists are like birds