Scientific American

Researchers are finally learning the mechanism behind one of the most prescribed medicines in the U.S., primarily used to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes

We asked a simple question: What’s in kids’ squishy toys? Finding an answer was surprisingly complicated

This study was originally published in 2024 and was criticized as being misleading by other scientists at the time

A new study shows that each neuron can do multiple computations at once thanks to hundreds of sprawling branches

This study has been touted by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont as proof of the benefits of a universal, single-payer health care system, but the research hasn’t been peer-reviewed

Put your science knowledge to the test with this week’s news quiz. Play now.

There’s a $1-million prize for proving the Riemann hypothesis. Claude couldn’t pull that off, but it made significant progress on a related problem

New guidelines say testing sperm for DNA damage could help explain recurrent pregnancy losses

What if artificial intelligence is used to amplify human creativity rather than replace it?

Follow all the latest updates about the August 12 eclipse with Scientific American

The vagus nerve is the autonomic nervous system’s highway, connecting every major organ

This storm, a rarity for this part of the Pacific, is expected to bring heavy rains, strong wind and possibly “life-threatening flooding” to Hawaii this weekend

From a partial eclipse over Berlin to totality over Spain, see some of the incredible images of the August 12 total solar eclipse

Doctors used to warn coffee drinkers. Now research reassures them

There’s a reason humans have been obsessed with these celestial events for millennia—they are beautiful

First glimpsed as “little red dots” in deep-space images from the James Webb Space Telescope, these giant, gas-shrouded black holes are full of surprises

Many of these structures date to around C.E. 100–300, during the time of the Aquiry civilization, and may have been used for ceremonial purposes

Relive the 2026 total solar eclipse, as seen by a drone over Spain

Linguists explain how a language built from musical notes could convey complex meaning and even support conversation

In a retrospective study, people taking estrogen-only hormone therapy for menopause were less likely to see signs of dementia

A “fever” of cownose rays revealed by striking drone footage could be a sign of warming oceans

A new study of the Helix Nebula shows a never-before-seen detail of how dying stars recycle elements. Researchers found it by accident

This dying star appears to have a face of gas and a mane of space dust

As psychedelic therapies expand, new clinics treat uncommon long-term harms

Andy Green holds the overall land speed record, having hit 763.035 miles per hour while driving a jet-powered vehicle in 1997