All Stories

  1. Science & Society

    10 early-career scientists tackling some of the biggest problems of today

    For the ninth year, Science News honors researchers in its SN 10: Scientists to Watch list.

    By
  2. Environment

    A biogeochemist is tracking the movements of toxic mercury pollution

    Exposing the hidden movements of mercury through the environment can help reduce human exposure.

    By
  3. Health & Medicine

    HIV and illicit drugs are a bad mix. This scientist found an unexpected reason why

    The neuroscientist considers themself an outsider, which allows them to embrace people who have been marginalized, including people who have HIV.

    By
  4. Neuroscience

    By studying the eyes, a researcher explores how the brain sorts information

    Freek van Ede seeks to understand how the brain selects information to plan for the future. He’s finding clues in the tiny movements people make with their eyes.

    By
  5. Cosmology

    How did dark matter shape the universe? This physicist has ideas

    Theoretical physicist Tracy Slatyer proposes new scenarios for dark matter and helped discover the Fermi bubbles.

    By
  6. Neuroscience

    A cell biologist is investigating the balance of brain flexibility, stability

    Andrea Gomez, a Berkeley molecular and cell biologist, applies her wide-ranging curiosity to brains’ mysteries ranging from synapses to psychedelics.

    By
  7. Computing

    This engineer’s light-based computers take inspiration from the brain

    Physicist and engineer Bhavin Shastri is working to create the first photonic computer modeled after the human brain.

    By
  8. Quantum Physics

    Why this physicist is bringing thermodynamics to the quantum age

    Like a steampunk fantasy-world, which pairs high-tech with an old-timey setting, Nicole Yunger Halpern melds old and new science.

    By
  9. Materials Science

    A materials scientist seeks to extract lithium from untapped sources

    Lithium is an essential ingredient for batteries in electric vehicles but getting enough will become a problem.

    By
  10. Climate

    Climate change could double U.S. temperature-linked deaths by mid-century

    Each year, roughly 8,000 deaths in the United States are associated with extreme temperatures. And as temperatures rise, this number could swell.

    By
  11. Animals

    Scientists have just turned giant panda skin cells into stem cells

    If the pluripotent stem cells can be turned into precursors to egg and sperm cells, the feat could potentially be a big deal for giant panda conservation.

    By
  12. Microbes

    Some bacteria in your mouth can divide into as many as 14 cells at once

    The filamentous bacterium Corynebacterium matruchotii has a unique reproductive strategy that might allow it to claim territory quickly.

    By