Column
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The long and short of science
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the centennial of quantum mechanics’ framework, Hubble’s 35th anniversary and the legacy of Kanzi the bonobo.
- Health & Medicine
Don’t wait until menopause to strengthen your bones
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended at age 65, but experts say women should be proactive about bone health long before that.
- Animals
A ‘talking’ ape’s death signals the end of an era
Kanzi showed apes have the capacity for language, but in recent years scientists have questioned the ethics of ape experiments.
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Seeking the anomalies that lead to discoveries
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the booming online market for semaglutide, new findings on how early humans used sophisticated thinking and whether Spinosaurus could swim.
- Health & Medicine
A messed-up body clock could be a bigger problem than lack of sleep
For a good night of sleep, consider getting your circadian rhythm back in sync with the sun. Here’s how to do it.
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A new era of testing nukes?
Editor in chief Nancy Shute traces the history of nuclear weapons, from the first sustained nuclear reaction in 1942 to the renewed interest in explosive tests today.
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After the fires, LA’s long, hard road to recovery
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the challenges communities face after the January wildfires in Los Angeles.
- Health & Medicine
Can probiotics actually curb sugar cravings?
Some companies claim that taking beneficial bacteria can reduce the desire for sugar. But the evidence comes from mice, not people.
- Science & Society
‘Uncertain, anxious, fearful.’ That’s the mood at 2025’s first big U.S. science meeting
Scientists are losing funding and even their jobs under the new Trump administration. Researchers at the AAAS meeting shared fears and coping strategies.
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A daring plan to hold back the sea
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the audacious ways scientists are considering to combat Earth's rising sea levels.
- Health & Medicine
Sleeping pills may have unexpected effects on the snoozing brain
As scientists unravel how sleep benefits the body, a study in mice is highlighting the potential pitfalls of using Ambien and other sleep aids.
- Health & Medicine
Got a cold? A placebo might help
Amid doubts over a common decongestant, evidence suggests the placebo effect can still help people suffering from a cold.
