Feature

Humans

The Science Vote: Spending priorities differ

Federal funding for academic research — a major engine of innovation — has experienced an “unprecedented” two-year decline, the National Science Foundation reported in late August. Between fiscal years 2005 and 2007, Uncle Sam’s share of academic research funding fell from 64 percent to 62 percent. To take up the slack, universities turned to industry […]

Humans

The Science Vote: Linking energy to greenhouse risks

Science and technology have not played out as major presidential campaign issues this year. And following Sen. John McCain’s unexpected announcement that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would be his running mate, even foreign policy and major energy issues have been relegated to the back seat as the media feverishly probe the views, background and administrative […]

Earth

Let’s Get Vertical

City buildings offer opportunities for farms to grow up instead of out.

Astronomy

Dead — but not duds

White dwarfs shed light on physics and the fate of the cosmos.

Astronomy

Last Call

The final mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope could radically transform the observatory, but the crew faces some special challenges.

Neuroscience

Breaking the Barrier

A technique combining ultrasound pulses with microbubbles may help scientists move therapeutic drugs across the brain’s protective divide.

Life

Sting Operation

Scientists use bees and wasps to sniff out the illicit and the dangerous.

Physics

It’s Likely That Times Are Changing

A century ago, mathematician Hermann Minkowski famously merged space with time, establishing a new foundation for physics; today physicists are rethinking how the two should fit together