The federal funding system for scientific research in the U.S. is crumbling. Here’s how it can be rebuilt
Scientific American
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How did we get here?
Tropical Storm Arthur
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
Some mathematicians have predicted when humanity’s downfall might occur—though the circumstances are unspecified
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The first participant has been treated in a landmark clinical trial of cellular reprogramming, which aims to rejuvenate aging cells
Young American Scientists
Neuroscientist Kauê M. Costa talks about surprising results that are changing how we think dopamine works and how the brain really learns
There are bright futures ahead for our first-ever Young American Scientist honorees
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
The great American brain drain could define science for a generation
Scientific American used expert recommendations and data analysis to identify 28 exceptional early-career researchers
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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Dogs spontaneously aid struggling humans the way young children do—whereas cats wait until they stand to benefit
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.
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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Famed AI wins in Go let human players rethink their moves in a whole new way
Early research suggests that some mental health conditions could stem from metabolic disorders. If so, the findings could change how we treat mental illness
Some countries have seen a stark decline in academic freedom over the past decade
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Billions of emerging insects will likely trigger predator population surges—but some species mysteriously opt out of such bounties
The Trump administration is mulling new rules that would give political appointees final say on research grants
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
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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The 24 alien books the Scientific American staff love, from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to Contact and beyond
Novo Nordisk said this security incident affected patient data, including health information and birth year
These young scientists are making waves in their own ways. Keep an eye on them—great things are ahead
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A step-by-step guide to the “Doginburgh Inventory,” a new pawedness test developed by dog behavior researchers
This sparkling galaxy is home to a set of supernova remnants that showed variable brightnesses over 14 years of data
Understanding the behavior of supermassive black holes
Scientific American Travel
2026 Solar Eclipse Mediterranean Cruise
Totality in the Mediterranean with Clara Moskowitz
Scientists have modeled the potential size of this current outbreak, which some experts think could become one of the worst Ebola epidemics on record
Find the lengths of the sides of the square in this math puzzle
Exploring ice cores to foresee the effects of climate change
In his final interview, the “swashbuckling” geneticist pointed the way for science
A meditation on life and the von Neumann–Wigner interpretation of quantum mechanics
Despite funding woes, American scientists are finding reasons for optimism
Play this crossword inspired by the July/August 2026 issue of Scientific American
The Department of Energy bills Genesis as an AI push for scientific discovery. Its first public challenges tell a different story
It’s a complicated time to be a young scientist in America. Lessons from history can tell us what the future might hold
Natural fission reactor uncovered; geometry of soap bubbles
Letters to the editors for the March 2026 issue of Scientific American
The noted robotics expert discusses the need for better communication to the public on the value of basic science
On reclaiming America’s edge in research and public health
Using viruslike particles to deliver therapies safely and effectively
The noted virologist talks about how to rebuild the U.S. scientific enterprise
The former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention talks about threats to U.S. science and ways they can be stopped
The Internet pioneer talks about tenure and publications and shares what needs to change for U.S. science to forge ahead
On steering the path forward for research and innovation
The Fermilab physicist on curiosity and doing what you love
Creating AI platforms to discover new therapeutics
The director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory discusses changing the pace of scientific research
The Nobel laureate shares how artificial intelligence will change the way science is done
The Department of Energy official discusses what will drive tomorrow’s innovation
The well-regarded meteorologist shares advice for young scientists to become as good at communication as they are at discovery
Characterizing the “Little Red Dots” to decipher the beginnings of galaxies
The famed climatologist talks about how science in the U.S. is under attack
Formulating software for the study of plant genomes