The Math Geek Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a gift that says, "Hey, I know you like math"? Look no further. There is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to wonderful mathematical things to give to people, but here are some of the coolest items I've seen this year.
Care of the Wounded, 1914
Reported in Scientific American, This Week in World War I: November 21, 1914 From the Scientific American Supplement issue of November 21, 1914, we note, "The first object of an army in war is to disperse or destroy the enemy, but a correlative duty is the care of its own men when wounded or otherwise [...]
Ratio of Workers to Retirees Will Plummet Worldwide
As a nation's population ages, more and more older people may draw from support systems such as Social Security, yet fewer workers may be around to pay into those systems.
7 Solutions to Climate Change Happening Now
Even as the world continues to spew more carbon pollution, change has begun—and is accelerating
Book Review: Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps
One of the most spectacular and visually fascinating Tet Zoo-related books of recent-ish months is Chet Van Duzer's Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps, published in 2013 by the British Library.
How Fake Fossils Pervert Paleontology [Excerpt]
A nebulous trade in forged and illegal fossils is an ever-growing headache for paleontologists
The Ferocity of Artillery, 1914
Reported in Scientific American, This Week in World War I: November 14, 1914 The tactical use of artillery had been evolving in the years before the Great War: In South Africa in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 the British developed the concept of the "creeping barrage," where a curtain of shellfire proceeded just in front [...]
20 Vintage Gadgets from Scientific American Readers [Slide Show]
Those who responded to our call for images of obscure, obsolete devices did not disappoint. Here are our favorites
The Human Cost of Science: Stephen Hawking and The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking is one of our greatest living geniuses—his insights into the nature of black holes, space and time have truly revolutionized physics.
Everything You Need to Know about the U.S.–China Climate Change Agreement
A turning point has been reached in the world's bid to curb global warming
Mapping Mistake Threatens 1,400 Chimpanzees and Newly Discovered Endangered Plant
How’s this for irony?: A newly discovered plant named after the reserve in which it is supposedly found is endangered because the reserve isn’t actually located where people thought it was.
U.S. Falling Behind on Competitiveness and Innovation
I’ve been mentioning R&D in talks and articles a lot lately. Most audiences outside the beltway don’t immediately know I mean Research and Development – until I explain it’s the part of our federal budget accounting for a good deal of “science stuff.” R&D supports basic research and leads to new innovation while helping boost [...]