Scientific American Magazine

Antiparticles are rare and maddeningly elusive. But they may hold clues to some of the mysteries of astrophysics

Decades after recovering much of their muscular strength, survivors of paralytic polio are reporting unexpected fatigue, pain and weakness. The cause appears to be degeneration of motor neurons

Re-creating the experiments of pioneering microscopists reveals what they actually saw with their simple, single-lens instruments

Females often prefer to mate with the most flamboyant males. Their choice may be based on a complex interaction between instinct and imitation

Researchers are using lasers to grasp single cells and tinier components in vises of light while delicately altering the held structures. These lasers offer new ways to investigate and manipulate cells

Fleets of satellites will soon make it possible to reach someone anywhere on the earth, using nothing more than a small handset

Systems based on satellites and high-altitude platforms will merge with optical-fiber and terrestrial wireless networks to provide global, high data-rate, mobile communications

Seamless switching between networks will draw users to wireless data services. A working model is now in operation

Cell phones are but one application of wireless communications. The technology also enables accurate position determination and the monitoring of remote sites

Dicing information into digital bundles and transmitting them at low power over different frequencies can enable millions of people to send and receive simultaneously