Culture
The Rise of ‘Health Entertainment’ to Convey Lifesaving Messages in the COVID-19 Pandemic
The crisis shows the need for public health authorities to get creative in their communications
Culture1065 articles archived since 1845
Culture
Our 3,000th Episode
Here are some “highlights” from the past 13.5 years of this podcast.
Cognition
Signs of Modern Human Cognition Were Found in an Indonesian Cave
Painted images of intriguing human-animal hybrids are signs of modern thought
Culture
Recommended Books, April 2020
Bird’s-eye views of Earth, Civil War submarine mystery, and more
Your Brain Will Thank You for Being a Musician
Here are five reasons why
Behavior
How Can You Tell If You Have Perfect Pitch?
Some famous musicians—from Mariah Carey to Jimi Hendrix—have a gift known as perfect pitch. What is it? Could you have it, too?
Culture
Color Photography Relies on Potato Starch
Originally published in July 1907
EARTH
Science News Briefs from around the Planet
Here are a few brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about the discovery of an intact chicken egg dating to Roman Britain.
Culture
Recommended Books, March 2020
Saving the Florida panther, cornfield espionage and racial profiling, and more
Culture
Is This Indonesian Cave Painting the Earliest Portrayal of a Mythical Story?
Archaeologists have dated figurative rock art from Sulawesi to at least 43,900 years ago
Space & Physics
The New Cosmos: A Conversation with Ann Druyan
Emmy and Peabody Award–winning science writer, producer and director Ann Druyan talks about Cosmos: Possible Worlds, the next installment of the Cosmos series.
Culture
Diving Suit Stops Workers from Playing Cards under Water
Originally published in April 1866
Culture
Fencing Competitions for Blind People Grow
Originally published in April 1916
Culture
Computers Confirm Beethoven’s Influence
By breaking 900 classical piano compositions into musical chunks, researchers could track Ludwig van Beethoven’s influence on the composers who followed him. Christopher Intagliata reports. ...
Culture
Ann Druyan Is Reimagining the Future
Cosmos co-creator discusses communicating her dream for humanity
Biology
Science News Briefs from around the World
Here are a few brief reports about science and technology from around the world, including one from off the California coast about the first heart rate measurement done on a blue whale.
Biology
Thoroughbred Horses Are Increasingly Inbred
Inbreeding in Thoroughbreds has increased significantly in the past 45 years, with the greatest rise occurring in the past 15 or so of them.
Culture
The Eclectic Works of Scientific American's Founder Rufus Porter
The latest science book recommendations from our editors
Culture
Wasp Nests Help Date Aboriginal Art
Art created by Australian Aboriginal people used organic carbon-free pigments, but wasp nests above or below the art can be used for radiocarbon dating that supplies boundaries for the age of artworks...
Culture
Poem: Mathematics Sets Sail
Science in meter and verse
