Science & Society

  1. A photo of six old fashioned golden weight in a line from the smallest weight to the left and the biggest weight on the right, all on a black background
    Math

    The metric system is growing. Here’s what you need to know

    Science News spoke with a metrologist about the metric system’s latest update, which will help scientists interpret exceedingly big and small numbers.

    By Deborah Balthazar
  2. Science & Society

    These are our favorite science books of 2022

    Books about dinosaurs, the Milky Way and the coronavirus are among the Science News staff’s picks for must-read books of the year.

    By Science News Staff
  3. An elephant seen behind an electric fence
    Animals

    A new book asks: What makes humans call some animals pests?

    In an interview with Science News, science journalist Bethany Brookshire discusses her new book, Pests, and why humans vilify certain animals.

    By Deborah Balthazar
  4. A photo of Louis Pasteur's head surrounded by illustrations of scientific equipment, leaves, and swirls
    Health & Medicine

    Louis Pasteur’s devotion to truth transformed what we know about health and disease

    Two centuries after his birth, Louis Pasteur's work on pasteurization, germ theory and vaccines is as relevant as ever.

    By Tom Siegfried
  5. A single person stands in front of an entrance to a maze with tall walls
    Science & Society

    Why fuzzy definitions are a problem in the social sciences

    Social sciences research is plagued by murky definitions and measurements. Here’s why that matters.

    By Sujata Gupta
  6. Electron micrograph of a macrophage
    Health & Medicine

    Need a fall read? ‘The Song of the Cell’ offers tales from biology and history

    Siddhartha Mukherjee’s new book, The Song of the Cell, explores the world of cell biology through the lens of scientists, doctors and patients.

    By Meghan Rosen
  7. Microscope image of a cell infected with SARS-CoV-2
    Health & Medicine

    ‘Breathless’ explores COVID-19’s origins and other pandemic science

    In his new book, David Quammen examines what we’ve learned about SARS-CoV-2 and puts the pandemic in the context of previous coronavirus scares.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  8. Huijia Lin portrait
    Computing

    Huijia Lin proved that a master tool of cryptography is possible

    Cryptographer Huijia Lin showed that the long-sought “indistinguishability obfuscation” is secure from data attacks.

    By Elizabeth Quill
  9. Emily Jacobs and Caitlin Taylor look at images of the brain on a computer.
    Neuroscience

    Emily Jacobs wants to know how sex hormones sculpt the brain

    Emily Jacobs studies how the brain changes throughout women’s reproductive years, plus what it all means for health.

    By Cassie Martin
  10. a composite of headshots of the 2022 SN10 scientists
    Science & Society

    Big questions inspire the scientists on this year’s SN 10 list

    These scientists to watch study climate change, alien worlds, human evolution, the coronavirus and more.

    By Science News Staff
  11. image of someone watching a woman graduate on a video call
    Psychology

    The pandemic may be stunting young adults’ personality development

    People typically become less neurotic and more agreeable with age. The COVID-19 pandemic may have reversed those trends in adults younger than 30.

    By Sujata Gupta
  12. Photo of a swamp
    Ecosystems

    ‘Fen, Bog & Swamp’ reminds readers why peatlands matter

    In her latest book, author Annie Proulx chronicles people’s long history with peatlands and examines the ecological value of these overlooked places.

    By Anna Gibbs