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A Tree and Its People in a Warming Landscape

Conservation scientist Lauren Oakes discusses her book about Alaska ecology and sociology, In Search of the Canary Tree: The Story of a Scientist, a Cypress, and a Changing World...

Why Are Electric Vehicle Sales Low? Psychology Provides Clues

Social norms and a lack of information on financial benefits have hampered U.S. EV adoption

When Lab Experiments Carry Theological Implications

Efforts to create new life-forms—and new universes—will raise profound questions

4/20 Traffic Accidents Claim Curbed

A deeper data dive calls into question a 2018 study that found a spike in fatal traffic accidents apparently related to marijuana consumption on this date.  

Part-Revived Pig Brains Raise Slew of Ethical Quandaries

Researchers need guidance on animal use and the many issues opened up by a new study on whole-brain restoration, argue Nita A. Farahany, Henry T. Greely and Charles M. Giattino

Stanford Clears Three Faculty Members of “CRISPR Babies” Involvement

A review concluded that the scientists did not take part in a Chinese researcher’s experiment to edit the genomes of twin human embryos

Nobelist Says System of Science Offers Life Lessons

At an April 9th event sponsored by the Kavli Foundation and produced by Scientific American that honored Nobel and Kavli Prize winners, economist Paul Romer talked about how the social system of science offers hope for humanity and for how we can live with each other...

Fertile Ground: The Long-Neglected Science of Female Reproductive Health

When the discussion of reproductive health is dominated by the political will to control it, gaps in medical research get overshadowed

Unhealthful Data Gaps: Female Reproductive Health

Washington Aims to Decarbonize its Electricity Grid

It is the fourth state to pursue such a plan, with a couple others looking at following suit

Scientific American Launches New Paywall

Readers will receive three articles for free before being asked to subscribe

After a $14-Billion Upgrade, New Orleans' Levees Are Sinking

Sea-level rise and ground subsidence will render the flood barriers inadequate in just four years

Why We Should All Use They/Them Pronouns

Using gendered identifiers, even if we get to choose our own, can reinforce bias and discrimination

How Work-Family Justice Can Bring Balance to Scientist Moms

It’s time to change cultural views and expectations around science and motherhood

The Tragedy of the Tragedy of the Commons

The man who wrote one of environmentalism’s most-cited essays was a racist, eugenicist, nativist and Islamaphobe—plus his argument was wrong

Where Did That Promising Scientist Disappear To?

Family leave policies leave women faculty behind

How to Keep Scientific Innovation Alive

Thinking outside the box is as important for science as it is for a business start-up

Readers Respond to the December 2018 Issue

Letters to the editor from the December 2018 issue of Scientific American

States Target Potent Greenhouse Gases in Absence of Federal Action

The push to restrict hydrofluorocarbons is one of the clearest examples of states banding together on climate policy

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