Scientific American MagazineApril 2026

High in the Rockies, researchers are discovering that wind-borne pollution and rising heat are fueling unprecedented algal blooms

Surprising studies show young people are doing better than previous generations in many ways

Bizarre objects that seem to lack all dark matter present a cosmic mystery

Evolutionary studies make sense of the world’s strangest plant

A series of novel treatments and medical insights is helping chronic kidney disease patients

Chronic kidney disease has a variety of causes, ranging from immune system problems to medication side effects

Kidney damage can sneak up on people without symptoms. A new diagnosis can mean major limits on how a person lives

Care innovations have allowed many more people with kidney disease to become parents. But pregnancy still carries risks

New alert systems and tests detect drug-induced kidney damage before the harm is irreversible

IgA nephropathy, an immune assault on the kidneys, is often missed. New treatments mean that spotting it sooner might save lives

Three types of diabetes medication are improving the outlook for patients with kidney disease