Stories by Alex Sugiura

What do we lose when machines become our closest confidants?

Assistant professor of psychology Jessica Ayers’s new research challenges assumptions about the kind of friendships we need

Author Sarah Pierce explores dating apps, loneliness and human connection through a novel about a corpse-matching algorithm

Cybersecurity experts are volunteering to keep America’s utilities safe from attacks

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is on a mission to probe dark energy, hunt for distant worlds and transform our view of the universe

Recent changes to the implementation of the Endangered Species Act could put wildlife at risk

New recommendations spotlight sperm’s role in recurrent miscarriage

Forests, extreme weather and the realities of a warming world

Researchers are exploring whether magic mushrooms could offer a new treatment for anorexia

Moiya McTier explores what makes human creativity unique in the age of AI

From eclipse awe to vaccine debate, earthquake recovery and coffee’s benefits

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

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

Scientists analyze an accidental SpaceX impact on the moon as cyberattacks target U.S. water systems and a new mRNA flu vaccine is approved by the FDA

Smoking rates remain low, but experts say social media, stress and shifting attitudes could be fueling a cigarette revival

An outbreak of Cyclospora infections tied to produce spreads across multiple states as new research challenges the protein maxxing craze

Historian Craig Fehrman unpacks the science, politics and human stories behind one of America’s most famous expeditions

SciAm books editor Bri Kane shares her favorite science books for every summer mood

From ecohorror to science-inspired poetry, discover the books Scientific American staffers are recommending this summer

Could sunlight actually improve your health? New research suggests we may need to rethink total sun avoidance

What’s going on with the Ebola outbreak, how the World Cup is dealing with rising temperatures, and how becoming a father can change your brain

Everyday viral infections may be quietly reshaping the body’s network of molecules that support cells and tissues in ways that can raise cancer risk over time

Neuroscientist Kauê M. Costa talks about surprising results that are changing how we think dopamine works and how the brain really learns

This young researcher’s unlikely journey into academia will change the way you think about science, failure and belonging