Scientific American Magazine

Technological change is essential to U.S. economic progress. To facilitate it, workers need to be more adaptable, research needs to focus more on applications and managers need to be more open-minded

Nuclei far more massive than those found in nature are stabilized by subtle quantum-mechanical effects. Experimenters have had to revise ideas of how best to synthesize them

The word refers to "place-dependent" interactions, which appear most strikingly in the developing embryo. Surprisingly, their study has provided a major clue to the origins of the immune system

Interactions of the earth's magnetic field and the solar wind give rise to a vast generator that powers the luminous displays. A similar process may prevail in other astrophysical phenomena

The climatic history of the Amazon rain forest indicates that the ecosystem is well adapted to certain natural disturbances. Does it have the resilience to tolerate human exploitation?

Some tropical frogs incubate eggs on the mother's back, often in a special pouch. Certain features of the adaptation recall pregnancy in mammals and the eggs and embryos of birds; others are unique

Instruments to view internal anatomy plainly, sensors to analyze blood reliably and laser systems to perform surgery inside the body safely—all rely on fiber-optic technologies

One of the leading astronomers of his generation, Russell understood the need to place astronomy on a firm theoretical foundation; in doing so he helped to create modern astrophysics