Feature

Archaeology

How an ancient solar flare illuminated the start of the Viking Age

Improved radiocarbon dating aided by a solar flare in the year 775 sheds light on the early days of Vikings and global trading in medieval times.

Physics

Centuries on, Newton’s gravitational constant still can’t be pinned down

A new experiment could finally answer the question 'What is the strength of gravity?' But it's a hard test to do.

Neuroscience

Elyse G.’s brain is fabulous. It’s also missing a big chunk

A new project explores interesting brains to better understand neural flexibility.

Earth

How Kenya is helping its neighbors develop geothermal energy

Renewable energy is crucial to halting climate change. In East Africa, the region’s geology makes geothermal energy a viable option.

Humans

Lauren Schroeder looks beyond natural selection to rethink human evolution

Paleoanthropologists studying the fossil record have long focused on natural selection, but other processes play a big role too.

Psychology

Boys experience depression differently than girls. Here’s why that matters

Boys’ depression often manifests as anger or irritability, but teen mental health surveys tend to ask about hopelessness.

Quantum Physics

Quantum computers could break the internet. Here’s how to save it

Today's encryption schemes will be vulnerable to future quantum computers, but new algorithms and a quantum internet could help.

Genetics

Daphne Martschenko is a champion for ethical, inclusive genomics research

A bioethicist focused on the genomics revolution, Daphne Martschenko fosters open discussion through “adversarial collaboration”

Ecosystems

The Amazon might not have a ‘tipping point.’ But it’s still in trouble

Scientists race to foretell the fate of the vast forest facing deforestation and climate change.

Ecosystems

Marjorie Weber explores plant-protecting ants and other wonders of evolution

Cooperation across the tree of life is an understudied driver of evolution and biodiversity, Marjorie Weber says.

Astronomy

Weird black holes may hold secrets of the early universe

Big black holes in little galaxies, rogue black holes and other behemoths could offer clues to cosmic evolution.

Health & Medicine

With tools from Silicon Valley, Quinton Smith builds lab-made organs

Tissues made with 3-D printing and other techniques could offer insights into diseases such as fatty liver disease and preeclampsia.