
China Expands Surveillance of Sewage to Police Illegal Drug Use
Privacy concerns, cultural differences fuel skepticism about this approach in other settings

China Expands Surveillance of Sewage to Police Illegal Drug Use
Privacy concerns, cultural differences fuel skepticism about this approach in other settings

Scientists Pick Up the Genetic Scent of Stinkbug Invaders
New method that tests for insect DNA on farm produce could “revolutionize” agricultural pest surveillance


Controversial CRISPR “Gene Drives” Tested in Mammals for the First Time
Experiments in mice suggest the technology has a long way to go before being used for pest control in the wild

The Floor Is (Usually) Not Lava
We tend to imagine that below the crust, Earth is a seething pool of molten rock—but it’s not

Invasive Giant Hogweed’s Solar-Activated Sap Causes Blistering Skin Burns
The plant, which has spread to 11 states and was recently found in Virginia, attacks the DNA in human cells

Buzz Kill: Our Best Weapons against Mosquitoes
As mosquito-borne diseases spread, scientists are fighting back with new poisons, traps and genetic engineering techniques

Sweet and Sour Science You Can Taste!
A fizzy chemistry activity from Science Buddies

World Cup Ban on Radioactive Chemicals Frustrates Russian Biochemistry Labs
Security measures implemented in advance of the event have affected some scientists

A Litmus Test for Bad Breath
Researchers engineered a portable device that detects even the tiniest trace of hydrogen sulfide—one of the primary offenders in bad breath. Karen Hopkin reports.

The Battle behind the Periodic Table's Latest Additions
Four new elements were added in 2015, but some researchers say the announcement was premature

How Does the Color of a Glass Bottle Affect the Beer Inside?
Light triggers chemical reactions that make beer taste like skunk spray and onions.

Powder Pulls Drinking Water from Desert Air
A structure known as a metal organic framework traps water vapor by night, then releases it when heated the next day. Christopher Intagliata reports.