EnvironmentJuly 1, 1991
Burning Questions
Scientists launch studies of Kuwait's oil fires
Stories by John Horgan
John Horgan is a freelance journalist and a former Scientific American staff writer. He comments on science in his free online journal, Cross-Check, and he has also posted his self-published books Mind-Body Problems (2018) and My Quantum Experiment (2023) online. Horgan teaches science writing at the Stevens Institute of Technology.
Space & PhysicsJuly 1, 1991
Biggest Black Hole in the Universe?
EnvironmentJuly 1, 1991
Why are Data from Kuwait Being Withheld?
TechnologyJune 1, 1991
Do Screwy Images Solve a Superconductor Mystery?
TechnologyJune 1, 1991
From the Ashes
Will the Gulf War boost the fortunes of Star Wars?
The SciencesJune 1, 1991
Questioning the "It from Bit"
EnvironmentMay 1, 1991
Up in Flames
Kuwait's burning oil wells are a sad test of theories
The SciencesMay 1, 1991
Reluctant Revolutionary
Thomas S. Kuhn unleashed "paradigm" on the world
EnvironmentMay 1, 1991
U.S. Gags Discussion of War's Environmental Effects
The SciencesApril 1, 1991
History Lessons
Warfare analysts offer some disturbing-and hopeful-news
The SciencesMarch 1, 1991
Death with Dignity
The Dutch explore the limits of a patient's right to die
Mind & BrainMarch 1, 1991
A Modest Proposal on Altruism
Space & PhysicsMarch 1, 1991
The Leading Theory of the Universe Survives Another Attack
HealthFebruary 1, 1991
Postal Mortem
Drug test results may point to racial discrimination
EvolutionFebruary 1, 1991
In the Beginning…
Scientists are having a hard time agreeing on when, where and—most important—how life first emerged on the earth
HealthDecember 1, 1990
Double Trouble
When identical twins are not identical
EnvironmentDecember 1, 1990
Going to Pot
A grassroots movement touts hemp's environmental virtues
Space & PhysicsDecember 1, 1990
Measuring Eternity
New observations favor a younger age for the cosmos
The SciencesNovember 1, 1990
Stinging Criticism
A "controversy" over bees' dance language resurfaces
Space & PhysicsOctober 1, 1990
Universal Truths
The SciencesAugust 1, 1990
Unsolved Mysteries
New data suggest a solution to the solar-neutrino problem
EnvironmentAugust 1, 1990
Bufo Abuse
A toxic toad gets licked, boiled, teed up and tanned
The SciencesJuly 1, 1990
The Death Penalty
Most Americans favor it, but what purpose does it serve?
The SciencesJune 1, 1990
Death Watch
Updates on four dubious but enduring theories