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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Remembering A Great Science Educator
Seventeen years ago, Phil Yam, then news editor (now managing editor, online), was looking for a rent-a-kid to test out the newly opening physics playground at the New York Hall of Science.
Sorry, But So Far War on Cancer Has Been a Bust
I recently got into an argument, again, about cancer. The occasion was a talk by one of my colleagues at Stevens Institute, philosopher Gregory Morgan, on the fascinating history of research into cancer-causing viruses.
Stop Lecturing Me (In College Science)!
College lecture classes have been around for more than 900 years. Lately, a handful of science and engineering professors have been experimenting with a more innovative way of teaching science, especially at the introductory level.
On the Origin of White Power
A new book argues race and genetics explain "the rise of the West." Bad science explains the downfall of its ideas. Nicholas Wade is not a racist.
The Mythical Fire-Mountains of the Cascades
The west coast of the U.S. is not only characterized by earthquakes and related myths, but also by volcanoes and also these natural phenomena became incorporated in supernatural stories.