Science & Society

Sign up for our newsletter

We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Psychology

    Survivors of the LA fires will face a complex blend of mental health challenges

    Logistical needs, like employment and housing, along with psychological needs must be met after disasters like the LA wildfires, research shows.

    By
  2. Science & Society

    What nuclear weapons experts will watch for under Trump 

    As Trump takes office, issues of arms control, the U.S. arsenal and weapons testing will be on the radar for many nuclear weapons researchers.

    By
  3. Tech

    Flying cars could soon become a reality

    Engineers have all the technology they need to make flying cars, but there are still some barriers to getting these sci-fi mainstays off the ground.

    By
  4. Humans

    How child soldiers heal after the trauma of war

    For more than two decades, Theresa Betancourt has studied Sierra Leone’s former child soldiers. Her new book Shadows into Light tells their stories.

    By
  5. Science & Society

    These are the 5 most popular Science News stories of 2024

    Science News drew millions of visitors to our website this year. Here’s a recap of the most-read and most-watched news stories of 2024.

    By
  6. Health & Medicine

    Here’s how public health fared in 2024

    Viral outbreaks, extreme heat and access to clean water are among the year’s big public health headlines.

    By
  7. Earth

    The 2004 tsunami killed hundreds of thousands. Are we better prepared now?

    Twenty years after the deadliest wave in recorded history, most oceans have warning systems and communities have learned how best to escape the danger.

    By
  8. Science & Society

    These are Science News’ favorite books of 2024

    Books about killer asteroids, human consciousness, nuclear weapons and the collapse of the Late Bronze Age were among our top reads this year.

    By
  9. Health & Medicine

    Proposed time limits on anesthesia may have jeopardized patient safety

    Blue Cross Blue Shield’s now rescinded plan to put time limits on anesthesia put a spotlight on a poorly understood profession.

    By
  10. Physics

    Notre Dame is reopening. What does that mean for its acoustics? 

    Researcher Brian Katz is studying the acoustics of the Paris cathedral and how it’s been altered throughout the centuries.

    By
  11. Life

    Here’s how long it would take 100 worms to eat the plastic in one face mask

    An experiment reveals that a bio-solution to humans’ microplastics mess is likely to fall short, but could inspire other ways to attack the problem.

    By
  12. Science & Society

    A new biography of Benjamin Franklin puts science at the forefront

    Richard Munson’s new book, Ingenious, shows how scientific research inspired the founding father’s diplomacy.

    By