Science & Society

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Particle Physics

    Physicist Leon Lederman, renowned for his subatomic particle work, has died

    The Nobel Prize–winning particle physicist discovered multiple particles and wrote popular science books.

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  2. Science & Society

    Before his early death, Riemann freed geometry from Euclidean prejudices

    The originator of Riemann’s hypothesis died young, but he provided the geometry needed for modern view of spacetime.

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  3. Animals

    Feral cats appear to be pathetic at controlling New York City’s rats

    When cats are on the prowl, rats may become harder to see, but roaming cats actually killed only a few.

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  4. Science & Society

    The SN 10: These scientists defy limits to tackle big problems

    With a drive to understand how things work, these young researchers are making a mark in sustainable energy, medicine, astronomy and technology.

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  5. Science & Society

    Celebrating successes while examining failures

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses this year's 10 scientists to watch and the ups and downs of the scientific endeavor.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    50 years ago, a flu pandemic spurred vaccine research

    A half-century after the Hong Kong flu pandemic, scientists are getting closer to a universal vaccine.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Drug overdose deaths in America are rising exponentially

    Tracking rising numbers of deaths from a variety of drugs over the past 38 years shows that it isn’t just an opioid problem.

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  8. Science & Society

    Readers focus on fake news, neutrinos, and more

    Readers pondered how to effectively combat fake news, questioned the result of a clinical trial, and wanted to know more about neutrinos.

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  9. Science & Society

    Building big experiments to study very little things

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses our behind the scenes look at the giant equipment used to study the smallest bits of matter.

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  10. Animals

    ‘Poached’ offers a deep, disturbing look into the illegal wildlife trade

    In ‘Poached,’ a journalist reports from the front lines of the illegal wildlife trade and shows how conservationists are fighting back.

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  11. Science & Society

    Before it burned, Brazil’s National Museum gave much to science

    When Brazil’s National Museum went up in flames, so did the hard work of the researchers who work there.

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  12. Astronomy

    Jocelyn Bell Burnell wins big physics prize for 1967 pulsar discovery

    Astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell speaks about winning the Breakthrough Prize, impostor syndrome and giving back.

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