Century of Science

Neuroscience

Herminia Pasantes discovered how taurine helps brain cells regulate their size

Mexican scientist Herminia Pasantes spent decades studying how nerve cells regulate their size and why it’s so vital.

Climate

A global warming pause that didn’t happen hampered climate science

Trying to explain why global warming appeared to slow down in the early 2000s distracted scientists and shook their confidence.

Climate

Wally Broecker divined how the climate could suddenly shift

Wally Broecker’s insight into the shutdown of the great ocean conveyor belt spurred the study of abrupt climate change.

Science & Society

We’re celebrating a century of Science News

Across a century of science journalism, Science News has covered the Scopes trial, the moonwalk, Dolly the Sheep and more.

Genetics

How gene therapy overcame high-profile failures

A dark period for gene therapy didn’t derail scientists determined to help patients.

Science & Society

What made the last century’s great innovations possible?

Science paved the way for antibiotics, lasers, computers and COVID-19 vaccines, but science alone was not enough.

Climate

How did we get here? The roots and impacts of the climate crisis

Over the last century and a half, scientists have built a strong case for the roots and impacts of human-caused climate change.

Chemistry

Marie Maynard Daly was a trailblazing biochemist, but her full story may be lost

Marie Maynard Daly was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry, but her own perspective on her research is missing from the historical record.

Computing

Now that computers connect us all, for better and worse, what’s next?

The digital revolution has brought chess-playing robots, self-driving cars, curated newsfeeds — and new ethical challenges.

Computing

Core memory weavers and Navajo women made the Apollo missions possible

The stories of the women who assembled integrated circuits and wove core memory for the Apollo missions remain largely unknown.

Computing

Artificial intelligence challenges what it means to be creative

Computer programs can mimic famous artworks, but struggle with originality and lack self-awareness.

Genetics

Gene therapies for sickle cell disease come with hope and challenges

Pediatrician Erica Esrick discusses existing sickle cell treatments and an ongoing clinical trial.