Planetary Science
OSIRIS-REx's Asteroid Samples Are Finally Down to Earth
OSIRIS-REx—the first U.S. mission to attempt a sample return from a space rock—has successfully sent materials from asteroid Bennu back to Earth
News10335 articles archived since 1845
Behavior
These Adorable Jellyfish Show Learning Doesn't Even Require a Brain
Human scientists—used to the benefits of a centralized, complex brain—have been underestimating what a simple nerve network can do
Astronomy
The Equinox Is Not What You Think It Is
The equinox is not when day and night have equal lengths. Instead it’s something more nuanced but no less glorious
Planetary Science
Jupiter’s Moon Europa May Hide Tantalizing Carbon in Mysterious Ocean
Jupiter’s mysterious moon Europa may hold carbon in the ocean lurking beneath its icy shell
Electronics
This Efficiency-Obsessed Psychologist (and Mother of 11) Revolutionized Kitchen Design
Lillian Gilbreth pioneered time and motion efficiency in workplaces and revolutionized kitchen design
Diet
Period Food Cravings Are Real. A New Brain Finding Could Explain Why They Happen
A new study suggests that changes in the brain's sensitivity to insulin during phases of the menstrual cycle may be linked to appetite
Astronomy
NASA’s Gorgeous New Moon Image Paints Shackleton Crater in Light and Shadow
A new NASA instrument allows researchers to view the bright and permanently shadowed portions of the moon’s Shackleton Crater at the same time
Natural Disasters
A Record Number of Billion-Dollar Disasters Show U.S. Isn't Ready for Climate Change
The U.S. has already seen a record number of disasters costing at least $1 billion in 2023, which underscores how unprepared the nation is to withstand climate-driven catastrophe
Climate Change
Hotter Days Are Increasing Car Crashes and Fatalities
Hot cars are a health hazard for everyone on the road—and climate change could make things worse
Mental Health
Suppressing an Onrush of Toxic Thoughts Might Improve Your Mental Health
Counter to the conventional wisdom, suppression of distressing thoughts could be an invaluable addition in treating depression, anxiety and trauma
Archaeology
Earliest Evidence of Wooden Construction Uncovered
Researchers say the discovery of the earliest known wooden construction expands their knowledge of the woodworking skills of early humans that existed before Homo sapiens
Mental Health
A Newly Discovered Brain Signal Marks Recovery from Depression
Implanted electrodes pick up a pattern of brain waves that can signal the presence or absence of depression and perhaps predict its relapse
Arts
Behind the Scenes of Scientific American's New Redesign
Today we introduce to the world Scientific American ’s redesign, which we hope will nod to our rich history while also look forward to the everchanging landscape of publishing...
Geology
Pink Diamonds Erupted to Earth’s Surface after Early Supercontinent’s Breakup
Western Australia’s Argyle Mine is famous for its rare pink diamonds, and scientists now think they know how these formed: a tectonic collision followed by the breakup of a supercontinent...
Mathematics
How Warren Buffett Rigged a Dice Game with Bill Gates
Weird math can explain why Warren Buffett had the advantage in a dice game against Bill Gates
Space Exploration
Massive Sun Outburst Smacks NASA Spacecraft
If it had hit Earth, this coronal mass ejection could have caused continent-scale blackouts, scientists say
Climate Change
Working Remotely Can More Than Halve an Office Employee’s Carbon Footprint
By not going into the office, an at-home worker can cut greenhouse emissions in excess of 50 percent if they take energy-conservation steps
Cancer
Why There’s a Serious Cancer Drug Shortage, and How to Fix It
The recent national shortage in chemotherapy drugs points to a need to overhaul the generics market
Privacy
Here’s How to Actually Keep Kids and Teens Safe Online
Controversial policy proposals such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) are making headway across the country, but there are other ways to help protect young people in the digital world...
Natural Disasters
Dams Worldwide Are at Risk of Catastrophic Failure
Here’s why disasters like Libya’s dam collapses happen and how to prevent them
