The SciencesApril 1, 2008
From Physics to Politics: Mr. Foster Goes to Washington
The newest PhD in Congress advises disgruntled scientists to get involved in the political process
Stories by JR Minkel
JR Minkel was a news reporter for Scientific American.
EnvironmentMarch 28, 2008
News Bytes of the Week--Smoldering Hawaiian volcano an ongoing geologic hottie
The oldest voice recording, Nose for danger, A new twist on silicon circuits and more...
Space & PhysicsMarch 27, 2008
Stern Steps Down as NASA Science Chief After Mars Budget Dustup
Planetary scientist resigns less than a year after being appointed to run NASA's budget-strapped science office
The SciencesMarch 21, 2008
Intriguing books found around the Sci Am office, part one: murder
Mind & BrainMarch 21, 2008
Military robot dog cannot be knocked down
Space & PhysicsMarch 21, 2008
Signs of Hidden Ocean Underneath Titan's Crust
Slippage in Titan's rotation suggests water between its surface and core—and a higher likelihood of ancient life on Saturn's biggest moon
The SciencesMarch 20, 2008
Diamond "Spin-Bath" Gives Crystal View of Quantum Ripples
For cutting-edge physics, look to a material that cuts glass
Space & PhysicsMarch 20, 2008
First Whiff of Methane in Extrasolar Planet's Atmosphere
Can extraterrestrial ruminants be far behind?
TechnologyMarch 20, 2008
D.I.Y. Graphene: How to Make One-Atom-Thick Carbon Layers With Sticky Tape
Graphene, science's latest wonder material, is surprisingly easy to produce. JR Minkel explores how to make the novel substance, which is discussed in detail in Carbon Wonderland
Mind & BrainMarch 19, 2008
Self-Experimenters: Daughter of MRI Researcher Offered Her Brain for Virtual Dissection
Sasha Giedd would have been the only girl in high school with a time-lapse movie of her developing brain, until the IRB caught wind of it
Mind & BrainMarch 18, 2008
Self-Experimenter Freed Himself from Insomnia, Acne and Love Handles
Seth Roberts says the key to self-help lies in the scientific method
The SciencesMarch 14, 2008
Information May Leak from Black Holes at Dial-Up Speeds
Why a leaky black hole is more like a mirror ball from hell
The SciencesMarch 11, 2008
Entangled-Light Pair Stored in Atomic Memory
Fledgling step toward quantum telecommunications relays
TechnologyMarch 10, 2008
Self-Experimenters Step Up for Science
Eight stories of do-it-on-yourself discovery illuminate the promise and perils of a sample size of one
The SciencesMarch 6, 2008
Fiber-Optic Event Horizon Mimics Black Hole [Slideshow]
Researchers hope to detect faint radiation emanating from a new laboratory version of a black hole event horizon
The SciencesMarch 6, 2008
Did Researchers Cook Data from the First Test of General Relativity?
Rumors of data mishandling in an historic eclipse study don't gibe
The SciencesMarch 4, 2008
"Methuselah" Mutation Linked to Longer Life
Study of long-lived Ashkenazi Jews may yield longevity genes galore
The SciencesMarch 1, 2008
Here and There
Why quantum teleportation is nothing like getting beamed up by Scotty
The SciencesMarch 1, 2008
Magnetic Control of Cells
TechnologyFebruary 29, 2008
News Bytes Of the Week—What Type of Robot Are You Attracted To?
Beating computer encryption, antidepressants only effective for the most severe cases and more ...
February 28, 2008
Robotics Prof Sees Threat in Military Robots
But are the dangers as overplayed as the Pentagon's dreams of robot battalions?
HealthFebruary 23, 2008
Pandemic Hot Spots Map a Path to Prevention
Job one in stopping future pandemics: figure out where they start
The SciencesFebruary 22, 2008
News Bytes Of the Week—Robot Race to the Moon
G spot research, wolves under fire and more ...
TechnologyFebruary 21, 2008
Self-Healing Rubber Keeps on Stretching, Rip after Rip
And it's recyclable, to boot