Science & Society

More Stories in Science & Society

  1. Flood after Hurricane Sandy
    Science & Society

    In the battle of human vs. water, ‘Water Always Wins’

    In her new book, environmental journalist Erica Gies follows people who are looking for better solutions to extreme droughts and floods.

    By Alka Tripathy-Lang
  2. People wearing masks in New York City
    Science & Society

    ‘Virology’ ponders society’s relationship with viruses

    In a collection of wide-ranging essays, microbiologist Joseph Osmundson reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and calls for “a new rhetoric of care.”

    By Aimee Cunningham
  3. Anthropology

    Demond Mullins climbed Everest to inspire more Black outdoor enthusiasts

    Mullins hopes his successful Mount Everest summit will encourage more Black people to experience the great outdoors.

    By Melba Newsome
  4. a person collecting COVID-19 swabs into a box at a concession stand with the University of Massachusetts Amherst logo
    Health & Medicine

    College COVID-19 testing can reduce coronavirus deaths in local communities

    Counties with colleges that did COVID-19 testing fared better against the coronavirus in fall 2020 than towns with colleges that did not test.

    By Anil Oza
  5. Two people hug outside a sign that reads ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. There are flowers all around the sign.
    Psychology

    The idea that many people grow following trauma may be a myth

    Studies of posttraumatic growth are fundamentally flawed and can contribute to toxic cultural narratives, researchers say.

    By Sujata Gupta
  6. a team working to destroy an unexploded missile. Two people stand around a small post in a dug-up portion of field, with a blue vehicle in the distance
    Science & Society

    Russia’s invasion could cause long-term harm to Ukraine’s prized soil

    War will physically and chemically damage Ukraine’s prized, highly fertile chernozem soils. The impacts on agriculture could last for years.

    By Rebecca Dzombak
  7. A photo of a yellow pasture with and farm in the distance. Behind the buildings heavy dark smoke clouds fill the sky
    Health & Medicine

    Western wildfires’ health risks extend across the country

    As western wildfires become more common, hazardous smoke is sending people — especially children — to emergency rooms on the East Coast.

    By Megan Sever
  8. two mental health professionals stand in front of a police van on a street in Denver
    Science & Society

    How having health care workers handle nonviolent police calls may impact crime

    A new study analyzes a Denver program that sends a mental health professional and EMT to handle trespassing and other minor crime offenses.

    By Sujata Gupta
  9. Smoke from the Cerro Pelado fire in New Mexico in the background against an emergency vehicle driving on an empty road
    Science & Society

    Growing wildfire threats loom over the birthplace of the atomic bomb

    Climate change is expected to make wildfires worse across much of the Southwest United States. A key nuclear weapons lab could be in the hot zone.

    By James R. Riordon