All Stories

  1. Earth

    Shortcut math predicts tsunami height quickly

    The September 16 earthquake that rattled Chile proved an unexpected test for new numerical calculations that could provide quicker forecasts of incoming tsunamis.

    By Thomas Sumner
  2. Physics

    Raw chicken, ingenuity make a time-reversal mirror

    A new phase-conjugation mirror sends light waves back where they came from, allowing physicists to reconstruct images even if the original light was severely scrambled.

    By Andrew Grant
  3. Health & Medicine

    Study finds benefits from lowering blood pressure, but questions remain

    Preliminary results from NIH clinical trial suggest that lower blood pressure is better, but scientists have not yet published the data and open questions remain.

    By Meghan Rosen
  4. Science & Society

    A parting shot of coffee

    Science News biomedical writer Nathan Seppa gives some final thoughts on coffee, saunas and skepticism as he retires from the magazine after 18 years.

    By Nathan Seppa
  5. Health & Medicine

    Coffee reveals itself as an unlikely elixir

    Coffee is earning a reputation as a health tonic, reducing risk for a long list of ailments and even lowering death rates.

    By Nathan Seppa
  6. Science & Society

    Latest science survey is heavy on trivia, light on concepts

    A Pew Research Center survey finds that U.S. adults get a D in science. But the questions asked don’t necessarily test your grasp of science.

    By Rachel Ehrenberg
  7. Physics

    Invisibility cloaks slim down

    An ultrathin invisibility cloak called a skin cloak offers more stealth in a thinner package.

    By Andrew Grant
  8. Life

    Old stem cell barriers fade away

    Barrier that keeps aging factors out of stem cells breaks down with age.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  9. Materials Science

    Invisibility cloaks slim down

    A new invisibility cloak offers more stealth in a thinner package.

    By Andrew Grant
  10. Science & Society

    Rocky families, not same-sex parents, blamed for kids’ troubles in adulthood

    Range of adult problems linked to childhood family changes, not gay parents.

    By Bruce Bower
  11. Health & Medicine

    In 1965, hopes were high for artificial hearts

    Developing artificial hearts took longer than expected, and improved devices are still under investigation.

    By Sarah Schwartz
  12. Oceans

    Giant barrel sponges are hijacking Florida’s coral reefs

    Giant barrel sponges are gradually taking over and threatening Florida’s coral reefs, a new census suggests.

    By Sarah Schwartz