Nuclear weapons

A rapid imaging technique adapted from medical applications shows promise in the detection of nuclear materials

The body of men and women who built the atomic bomb was vast, diverse, talented and multitudinous. Every conceivable kind of professional – from theoretical physics to plumber – worked on the Manhattan Project for three years over an enterprise that spread across the country and equalled the US automobile industry in its marshaling of [...]

A new experiment releases more energy than is pumped into fuel—a major milestone—but a long journey still remains for sustainable energy from fusion

The EPA plans to reevaluate standards for tritium in water

Edward Teller was born on this day 106 years ago. Teller is best known to the general public for two things: his reputation as the “father of the hydrogen bomb” and as a key villain in the story of the downfall of Robert Oppenheimer.

Alex Wellerstein who is a historian of nuclear science has some cogent thoughts that feed into what has long since been a pet peeve of mine: the tendency for politicians, the media and scientists themselves to compare every large-scale government science or technology enterprise to the famed Manhattan Project.

President Obama aims to boost 'stockpile stewardship' funds at the nation's energy labs

The Fukushima nuclear disaster and interest in nuclear power from Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE raised scientists' concern about the threat of humanity's destruction

Russian and U.S. nuclear arsenals dwarf the rest

United States delegation to international summit reignites hope.

In this episode, Scientific American's David Biello discusses his article on nuclear weaponry in the November issue of the magazine. And Scientific American Mind's Karen Schrock talks about some of the highlights of the Neuroscience 2007 conference that she attended last week in San Diego. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this podcast include: www.sciam.com/sciammind; www.sfn.org