The SciencesJune 3, 2014
Nobel Prize of Neutron Discoverer to Be Sold at Auction
The 1935 Nobel Prize awarded to physicist James Chadwick for his discovery of the neutron was set to be offered today
History of Science
The SciencesJune 2, 2014
Even Einstein Was a Fool in Love
NEW YORK—When it came to relationships, Albert Einstein was no Einstein. In fact, the famous genius's romantic entanglements could rival the dysfunction of a typical Jerry Springer guest.
May Issue: Your Heart in Flames. Read Now!
Space & PhysicsJune 1, 2014
Book Review: Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space
Books and recommendations from Scientific American
The SciencesJune 1, 2014
The Outbreak of World War I
The SciencesJune 1, 2014
Meeting of the Puzzlers
Hundreds get together to celebrate Martin Gardner and recreational math
EvolutionMay 23, 2014
In Honor of Linnaeus, a Rogue’s Gallery of New Species
Today is the birthday of one of my science heroes: Carl Linnaeus. Born on May 23, 1707, the Swede turned natural history from a hobby into a science with his masterful systemization and documentation of what had until then been haphazard classification of plants, animals and fungi.
Space & PhysicsMay 23, 2014
Hunting the Wild Neutrino
Astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana, of the University of Toronto, talks about his new book Neutrino Hunters: The Thrilling Chase for a Ghostly Particle to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe
EnvironmentMay 23, 2014
How New York City Grew Rich with Water [Excerpt]
New York City struggled to overcome water pollution as Ted Steinberg details in his new book Gotham Unbound
EnvironmentMay 23, 2014
One Hurricane Is Enough to Ruin Your Year
GOWANUS—The surge of sewer water, toxic sludge and “Brooklyn whitefish” (aka condoms) stopped one short block away from my house back on the long night of October 29, 2012.
The SciencesMay 23, 2014
MoMA to MoMath: a Mathematician's Guide to Art in New York City
I was in New York City earlier this month, and in addition to finally having an excuse to ride the Staten Island Ferry (I gave a talk there), I managed to make it to a few of the excellent museums in the city.
EvolutionMay 22, 2014
My Testy Encounter with the Late, Great Gerald Edelman
Biologist Gerald Edelman–one of the truly great scientific characters I’ve encountered, whose work raised profound questions about the limits of science—has died.
EnvironmentMay 22, 2014
San Francisco Is Due for a Seismic Shake-Up
A study of earthquake cycles suggests a coming period of greater seismic activity in the Bay Area in the coming decades