Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Chemistry
A new book explores the link between film giant Kodak and the atomic bomb
In Tales of Militant Chemistry, Alice Lovejoy traces how film giants Kodak and Agfa helped produce weapons of war during the 20th century.
- Planetary Science
Future Martians will need to breathe. It won’t be easy
Asteroid impacts, microbes, mining: These are a few tactics engineers might one day use to create an Earthlike atmosphere on Mars.
- Artificial Intelligence
Can fake faces make AI training more ethical?
Demographic bias gaps are closing in face recognition, but how training images are sourced is becoming the field’s biggest privacy fight.
- Science & Society
Scientists are people too, a new book reminds readers
The Shape of Wonder humanizes scientists by demystifying the scientific process and showing the personal side of researchers.
- Planetary Science
How alien ‘canals’ sparked debate over life on Mars
In The Martians, journalist David Baron recounts scientific and public debate over purported intelligent life on the Red Planet.
- Artificial Intelligence
The U.S. government wants to go ‘all in’ on AI. There are big risks
Government agencies are rapidly adopting AI, but experts warn the push may outpace privacy safeguards and leave data vulnerable to leaks and attacks.
- Health & Medicine
What is the best exercise to improve sleep?
An analysis of 30 trials delivered a surprising twist: One exercise outperformed walking, resistance training and aerobic exercise in the treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia.
- Artificial Intelligence
Can AI ‘feel’ guilt?
Research based on game theory suggests if we program AI agents with a sense of guilt, they could behave more cooperatively, much like humans do.
- Science & Society
Screen addiction affects teens’ mental health. How to spot it, and help
Banning screens is often not an option. So Science News spoke with experts studying screen use and addiction in teens to help families navigate this complex issue.
- Earth
How hot can Earth get? Our planet’s climate history holds clues
Earth has survived huge temperature swings over eons of climate change. Humans might not be so lucky.
- Humans
No, shaken baby syndrome has not been discredited
Defense lawyers have called shaken baby syndrome, or abusive head trauma, junk science. But doctors say shaking a baby is dangerous.
- Oceans
Deep-sea mining could start soon — before we understand its risks
The U.S. push to mine international waters for metals defies global efforts to control and protect these fragile ecosystems.
