Stories by Fonda Mwangi

Scientific American’s editor in chief David M. Ewalt reflects on a 20-year experiment in e-mailing the future

From COVID shots to cancer therapy, mRNA is changing medicine.

Science writer David Berreby shares his personal journey with griefbots and discusses how they can offer unexpected comfort, insight and connection in the wake of loss.

Kendra Pierre-Louis steps in as interim host and dives into the science behind why some foods—especially mayonnaise—can gross us out.

Migraine and cluster headaches affect millions—yet research remains surprisingly thin.

Why saying no is harder than it should be.

Hurricane Melissa’s rare intensity and lasting impact reveal how storms are evolving in a warming world.

This Halloween discover how your candy choices can trick—or treat—the microbes in your gut.

TikTok’s U.S. spin-off could reshape its algorithm and the way culture is curated online.

Bird flu surges and a government shutdown collide, complicating efforts to track cases and protect flocks.

Despite the widespread use of medication during pregnancy, a lack of clinical research leaves patients and doctors navigating treatment with dangerously few data.

The words we choose when apologizing—especially longer, effortful ones—can signal sincerity and make our apologies feel more authentic.

A new WHO report warns of rising antimicrobial resistance, and researchers uncover satellite data leaks and insect surprises.

A massive Somali meteorite containing never-before-seen-on-Earth minerals vanished into the black market, raising ethical questions about science and ownership.

Thoracic surgeon Jonathan Villena explains why early screening for lung cancer is critical—even for those without symptoms.

What happens when your body suddenly stops making the one hormone that keeps your blood sugar in check?

The CDC updates COVID vaccine guidance and stirs controversy over childhood immunizations. And global health experts warn of rising child malnutrition in Gaza.

A former White House physician reveals the medical realities of caring for the president of the U.S.

Astronaut-turned-author Chris Hadfield discusses his new thriller Final Orbit, which weaves real cold war history, space race geopolitics and firsthand experience into a gripping work of fiction.

Saturn’s moon Enceladus shows signs of life-supporting chemistry, fungi may have shaped Earth before plants, and repeat COVID infections raise long-term health risks for kids.

Step into a room so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat—and your nervous system.

The former director of a CDC center reveals how political ideology is undermining science, threatening vaccine policy and endangering public health across the U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration plans to update the safety label for acetaminophen products, and the strongest storm on Earth this year struck several countries in East and Southeast Asia.

A museum exhibit in Australia lets visitors hear music generated by brain cells derived from the blood of a dead composer.