All Stories

  1. The Math Book by Clifford A. Pickover

    An illustrated timeline showcases great mathematicians and  mathematical achievements throughout history. Sterling, 2009, 527 p., $29.95. THE MATH BOOK BY CLIFFORD A. PICKOVER

    By
  2. Viruses, Plagues, & History: Past, Present, and Future by Michael B.A. Oldstone

    An immunobiologist describes how microbes have shaped history and may affect the future. Oxford University Press, 2009, 383 p., $17.95. VIRUSES, PLAGUES, & HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE BY MICHAEL B.A. OLDSTONE

    By
  3. Seasick: Ocean Change and the Extinction of Life on Earth by Alanna Mitchell

    Ocean degradation is widespread and portends trouble for life on dry land, a journalist argues. University of Chicago Press, 2009, 161 p., $25. SEASICK: OCEAN CHANGE AND THE EXTINCTION OF LIFE ON EARTH BY ALANNA MITCHELL

    By
  4. Mr. Jefferson and the Giant Moose: Natural History in Early America by Lee Alan Dugatkin

    For the third American president, natural history was a matter of national pride. University of Chicago Press, 2009, 166 p., $26. MR. JEFFERSON AND THE GIANT MOOSE: NATURAL HISTORY IN EARLY AMERICA BY LEE ALAN DUGATKIN

    By
  5. Take-Home Physics: 65 High-Impact, Low-Cost Labs by Michael Horton

    A former physics teacher offers ideas for home-based experiments that are appropriate for high school students. NSTA Press, 2009, 295 p., $24.95. TAKE-HOME PHYSICS: 65 HIGH-IMPACT, LOW-COST LABS BY MICHAEL HORTON

    By
  6. Climate

    Carbon dioxide: Blame where blame is due?

    Blog: Measuring outsourcing of greenhouse gases. From the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

    By
  7. Physics

    Frozen light stays fresh longer

    Researchers have trapped light in an ultracold cloud of atoms for 1.5 seconds.

    By
  8. Climate

    Climate: China defends its reputation

    Over the past few days, a number of national delegations – not least the United States’ – have criticized implicitly, if not explicitly, China’s unwillingness to accept binding limits on its greenhouse-gas emissions and the measurement of emissions by outside auditors. This morning, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed a plenary meeting of the United Nations climate-change conference – populated by more than 100 heads of heads of state – to make his case that China has embarked on an earnest step toward substantive climate protection.

    By
  9. Climate

    Obama: Climate’s rock star

    A little over a half-hour ago, President Barack Obama wrapped up a stirring pep talk to his fellow world leaders attending the United Nations climate change meeting. He didn’t promise the world. Only that the United States could be depended upon to do its part in helping stem global greenhouse gas emissions and to fund measures that would help fund the world’s poorest and climate-beleaguered nations adapt. But what was especially interesting was to watch how the whole climate conference has waited with baited breath to learn what Obama would say: Could our President make promises that would at last galvanize action in the United States and accord among countries whose views, even yesterday, seemed poles apart?

    By
  10. Climate

    Climate emissions mandates: What role China and India?

    One major schism between negotiating blocs at the United Nations climate change meeting is over which nations should face a mandate to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions. Just the industrial powers that have historically spewed most of the carbon dioxide responsible for today’s climate troubles? Or that group and the newly emerging industrial leaders – especially China, who for several years has reigned as the world’s greenhouse-gas king? The deadline for resolving this dilemma is ostensibly quite imminent. As in today.

    By
  11. Earth

    Carbon dioxide: blame where blame is due?

    Tracking the outsourcing of greenhouse gas emissions.

    By
  12. Space

    Experiment detects particles of dark matter, maybe

    Events in underground experiment too few for certainty, but match the signature of WIMPs.

    By