A frequently updated news blog written by our reporters and editors. The lead writer is Jordan Lite. We’re not above the occasional irreverent take on comical, quirky or downright bizarre stories—which remind us that just because it's science doesn't mean it can't be fun.

Three podcasts: 60-Second Science, broadcast daily; 60-Second Psych, heard on Mondays; and 60-Second Earth, heard every Thursday. We cover current research coming out of scientific journals as well as ongoing trends and policy issues. You can subscribe to all of them through iTunes or via RSS.

A video series, Instant Egghead, in which our editors break down difficult concepts into simple explanations using everyday stuff. (To wit: How do the crumbs in your coffee help you understand dark matter?)

A book series, Instant Egghead Guides, which gives you everything you need to understand topics such as the mind and the universe. The first in the series, The Instant Egghead Guide to the Mind, hit shelves December 2008.

Write to us with tips or comments at blog@sciam.com and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sciam.

**Updated on 9/29/2009: **

The 60-Second Science series was created with the intention of providing our audience with bite-size, consume-in-one-minute pieces of scientific coverage. This format has proved ideal for our podcasts, but we've missed the option to write longer news and opinion pieces for the blog. We also wanted a way to better highlight the themes that have emerged within the 60-Second Science blogs. The editors put their heads together and the final result is the introduction of five ScientificAmerican.com blog categories:

1. Observations: Opinions, Arguments & Analyses from the editors of Scientific American
2. Bering in Mind: A Research Psychologist's Curious Look at the Human Mind
3. Extinction Countdown: News and Research about Endangered Species from around the World
4. Solar at Home: The Trials, Tribulations and Rewards of Going Solar
5. Expeditions: Field Notes from the Far Reaches of Exploration

Each blog focuses on a distinct subject to provide readers with a more engaging reading experience. As ever, we invite community members to participate via the comment fields. We implore you to take a gander. (Perhaps start your journey with Scientific American Observations.)

We hope you enjoy our new blogs as much as we enjoy writing them.

Please note: The 60-Second Science blog will remain available as an archived section of the site, but it will no longer be updated. In order to continue service for RSS subscribers to 60-Second Science, news and opinion content from the Observations blog will be provided in its place.