Context
Science past and present
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Neuroscience
There’s a long way to go in understanding the brain
Neuroscientists offer multiple “perspectives” on how to plug gaps in current knowledge of the brain’s inner workings.
- Science & Society
Top 10 discoveries about waves
Another gravitational wave detection reaffirms the importance of waves for a vast spectrum of physical processes and technologies.
- Science & Society
The first Cassini to explore Saturn was a person
Cassini, the spacecraft about to dive into Saturn, was named for the astronomical pioneer who first perceived the gap between the planet’s famous rings.
- Science & Society
Top 10 science anniversaries of 2017
2017 offers an abundance of scientific anniversaries to celebrate, from pulsars and pulsar planets to Einstein’s laser, Einstein’s cosmos and the laws of robotics.
- Science & Society
Einstein’s latest anniversary marks the birth of modern cosmology
A century ago, Einstein gave birth to modern cosmology by using his general theory of relativity to describe the universe.
- Astronomy
In 20th century, astronomers opened their minds to gazillions of galaxies
Telescopes in the U.S. West opened astronomers’ eyes to a vast, expanding universe containing countless galaxies.
- Neuroscience
Health official calls on neuroscience to fight mental illness
When it comes to mental health, all countries are developing countries, WHO official says, appealing to neuroscience for help.
- Quantum Physics
Why quantum mechanics might need an overhaul
Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg says current debates in quantum mechanics need a new approach to comprehend reality.
- Humans
Tom Wolfe’s denial of language evolution stumbles over his own words
Tom Wolfe’s book denies that language evolved and attacks Darwin and Chomsky with smugness lacking substance.
- Planetary Science
Visits to Proxima Centauri’s planet are probably millennia away
A trip to Proxima Centauri’s planet would take millennia, even with alpha particle propulsion.
- Quantum Physics
A new ‘Einstein’ equation suggests wormholes hold key to quantum gravity
A new Einsteinian equation, ER=EPR, may be the clue physicists need to merge quantum mechanics with general relativity.
- Math
Courts’ use of statistics should be put on trial
Bayesian statistics offer a useful tool for avoiding fallacies in legal reasoning.
