Column

  1. Here comes the sun, the eclipsed version

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute muses on the total solar eclipse that will cross North America in April 2024.

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  2. Artificial Intelligence

    Why large language models aren’t headed toward humanlike understanding

    Unlike people, today's generative AI isn’t good at learning concepts that it can apply to new situations.

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  3. Come along with us on a mathematical mystery tour

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses an unexpected breakthrough on a puzzle that has intrigued mathematicians for almost a century.

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  4. Using public health research to save lives

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses how overdose prevention centers, where people can use drugs in a supervised setting, are saving lives.

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  5. Humans

    Here’s why COVID-19 isn’t seasonal so far

    Human immunity and behavior may be more important than weather for driving seasonality when it comes to COVID-19.

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  6. Animals

    A bird flu outbreak is sweeping the globe. Its long-term effects are unclear

    A reporter’s recent trip to the Galápagos offered a chance to reflect on the bird flu outbreak, which has killed millions of birds and other animals.

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  7. What a parrot knows, and what a chatbot doesn’t

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses AI chatbots' vulnerabilities and the intelligence of parrots.

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  8. Bringing scientists’ stories out of the shadows

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute spotlights scientist Emma Rotor's contributions to weapons research in World War II.

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  9. Climate

    COP28 is making headlines. Here’s why the focus on methane matters

    Here’s one takeaway from COP28: Deep cuts to methane are essential to meet the Paris Agreement goals. That’s still possible.

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  10. Under the jungle, a more pluralistic Maya society

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses how new scientific discoveries are rewriting the history of Maya society

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  11. Science & Society

    Why the Thanksgiving myth persists, according to science

    The science of collective memory — and a desire for clear origin stories — may explain the endurance of the Thanksgiving myth despite a messier reality.

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  12. Scientific meetings — it’s nice to see you again

    Executive editor Elizabeth Quill discusses the importance of covering scientific meetings.

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