The SciencesApril 1, 2015
Book Review: Scientific Babel
Books and recommendations from Scientific American
History of Science
The SciencesApril 1, 2015
Book Review: Infested
Books and recommendations from Scientific American
The Young American Scientists Event—Register Now
The SciencesApril 1, 2015
Famous Fools for Fool’s Gold
So what would you do if I said, “Look! I got you some gold!” and handed you a chunk of this? Well, you would look at those lovely well-developed crystal faces, for one.
EnvironmentMarch 26, 2015
Rare Ili Pika Photographed for the First Time in 20 Years
If ever there was a face that read, "Goddamn it, they found me," this is it. That small, downturned mouth, ever-so-slightly ajar in a moment of panicked contemplation, it really just says it all.
Space & PhysicsMarch 25, 2015
After a Martian Marathon, NASA's Opportunity Rover Faces Uncertain Future
It's been a long time coming, but this week NASA's Mars Opportunity rover completed the first-ever Martian marathon. After landing on the Red Planet in January 2004 on a mission originally planned to only last 90 days, Opportunity has instead endured for more than a decade, and has taken eleven years and two months to [...]
Space & PhysicsMarch 25, 2015
Fact or Fiction?: Dark Matter Killed the Dinosaurs
A new out-of-this-world theory links mass extinctions with exotic astrophysics and galactic architecture
The SciencesMarch 23, 2015
The Science of TED 2015
What I love about the annual TED gathering in Vancouver is the way science coexists along with art, social justice, popular song and the rest of TED's eclectic mix.
The SciencesMarch 12, 2015
Irrational Exuberance: How Will You Celebrate the Pi Day of the Century?
Send us pix of your pies, pizzas and parties in honor of math (and circular baked goods)
EvolutionMarch 12, 2015
Neandertals Turned Eagle Talons into Jewelry 130,000 Years Ago
As longtime readers may have noticed, I have an abiding interest in Neandertals. To help me keep up with the latest scientific insights into these mysterious relatives of ours, I have a Google alert set for "Neandertal" (and the alternate spelling, "Neanderthal").
The SciencesMarch 12, 2015
The Amazing Art of Biologist Ernst Haeckel
If you’re like me, you’ve always wanted Ernst Haeckel in your house. Well, not literally Ernst Haeckel, the great 19th century biologist (although that would be cool, in alive form).
EnvironmentMarch 11, 2015
Mass Deaths in Americas Start New CO2 Epoch
A new proposal pegs the start of the Anthropocene to the little ice age and the Columbian Exchange
EnvironmentMarch 9, 2015
‘Extinct’ Myanmar Jerdon’s babbler spotted for the first time in 70 years
Hey there, pretty bird. Welcome back. We've missed your jersey caramel colours and big, brown eyes since pretty much forever. What's new with us?