Supergravity Snags Super Award: $3-Million Special Breakthrough Prize
The theory, which emerged in the 1970s as a way to unify the fundamental forces of nature, has profoundly shaped the landscape of particle physics
Stories by Philip Ball
Quantum Physics May Be Even Spookier Than You Think
A new experiment hints at surprising hidden mechanics of quantum superpositions
Does a Quantum Equation Govern Some of the Universe's Large Structures?
A new paper uses the Schrödinger equation to describe debris disks around stars and black holes—and provides an object lesson about what “quantum” really means
Exotic Physics Glimpsed for First Time in Lab Crystal
Researchers create a bizarre effect once thought to only occur in intense gravitational fields
Elusive Triangulene Created for the First Time
Researchers at IBM assembled the fragile molecule atom-by-atom using a specialized microscope
Why Humans Develop Sex Cells as Embryos--but Corals Don't
New insights might help unravel key secrets about safeguarding mitochondria
Google Moves Closer to a Universal Quantum Computer
Combining the best of analog and digital approaches could yield a full-scale multipurpose quantum computer
Scientists Claim to See a “New State” of Water
The familiar H2O molecule may take a strange, ringlike form
How Human Sacrifice Propped Up the Social Order
Understanding the role of state-sanctioned killing does more than illuminate the social evolution of “premodern” cultures
"Breathing Battery" Advance Holds Promise for Long-Range Electric Cars
New materials make prototype lithium–air batteries more durable
Complex Societies Evolved without Belief in All-Powerful Deity
The emergence of politically sophisticated societies may be assisted by faith in supernatural spirits but does not require "big god" religion
![How 2 Pro-Nazi Nobelists Attacked Einstein’s "Jewish Science" [Excerpt]](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/43A1FEA2-564F-43F2-A6A95B6124B99148_agenda.jpg?w=275&h=154&fit=crop)
How 2 Pro-Nazi Nobelists Attacked Einstein’s "Jewish Science" [Excerpt]
In a chapter excerpted from his new book, science writer Philip Ball describes “Aryan physics” and other ludicrous ideas that accompanied the rise of Adolf Hitler
Sodium's Explosive Secrets Revealed
The spectacular reaction of alkali metals with water was poorly understood despite being a staple of chemistry classes
Game Theorists Crack Poker
An "essentially unbeatable" algorithm for Texas hold 'em points to strategies for solving real-life problems without having complete information
Iranian Woman Nabs Highest Prize in Mathematics
Maryam Mirzakhani is among four young researchers to win the 2014 Fields medals, which are awarded every four years
Rhythm Is Heard Best in the Bass
Better detection by the brain could explain why low-pitched notes carry the beat across musical cultures
![Source of Disco Clam's Flash Psyches-Out Scientists [Video]](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/B6B87122-7638-4537-9AC6BA2702FD093D_agenda.jpg?w=275&h=154&fit=crop)
Source of Disco Clam's Flash Psyches-Out Scientists [Video]
Nanobeads of reflective silica give this mollusk its glow, not bioluminescence
"Gaia Hypothesis" Originator James Lovelock Reflects on His Career
The scientist and futurist talks about self-regulating Gaia, climate change and peer review, as an exhibition featuring him opens April 9 in London
Chaos Theory Pioneer Nabs Abel Prize
Yakov Sinai has developed fundamental tools for the study of unpredictable phenomena
Wing and fin motions share universal principles
Tricks common to animals ranging from whales to insects could inspire designs for air and water vehicles
