Scientific American Magazine

On the deep seafloor, the carcasses of the largest mammals give life to unique ecosystems

New research reveals how bacteria hijack our bodies' cells and outwit our immune systems--and how we can use their own weapons against them

Emerging technologies could make the internal combustion engine substantially more fuel-efficient, even as green vehicles make inroads

Making a star is no easy thing

Humanity depends on nitrogen to fertilize croplands, but growing global use is damaging the environment and threatening human health. How can we chart a more sustainable path?

People can be made to see reddish green and yellowish blue—colors forbidden by theories of color perception. These and other hallucinations provide a window into the phenomenon of visual opponency

Recent findings lay bare the origins of human hairlessness—and hint that naked skin was a key factor in the emergence of other human traits