Science & Society
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Chemistry
Tricky element isolated from spent nuclear fuel
A new chemical technique makes it easier to extract the radioactive element americium from used nuclear fuel, potentially paving the way for better ways to reprocess and recycle nuclear waste.
By Andrew Grant -
Science & Society
Scientists find the intrigue in Earth’s dullest times
New methods, coupled with new attitudes, are revising ideas about Earth's boring billion.
By Eva Emerson -
Science & Society
Quantum spookiness, magnetic mysteries and more feedback
Letters and comments from readers on quantum spookiness, Earth's magnetic field, and more.
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Science & Society
‘Failure’ explores errors’ upsides
Missteps are a must in science, biologist argues in new book.
By Janet Raloff -
Psychology
No, cheese is not just like crack
Recent news reports claimed that a study shows cheese is addictive. But the facts behind the research show cheese and crack have little in common.
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Science & Society
Happy Birthday to Boole, with 11001000 binary candles
George Boole’s 200th birthday is occasion to celebrate the 1s and 0s of computer language.
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Neuroscience
1960s dog brain transplant was not followed by human studies
A pioneering study to transplant a dog’s brain led to later work on a monkey, but ethical considerations and technical know-how have prevented further work.
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Science & Society
Unreliable science impairs its ability to serve society
Science’s reproducibility problem impairs the ability of basic research to inform the search for better medicinal drugs.
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Psychology
Views on bias can be biased
When presented with a study showing bias against women, male scientists are more inclined to nitpick the results. But a little intervention can go a long way toward gender equality in science.
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Science & Society
Perspiration is important, but inspiration is fun(damental)
How much of science is inspiration versus perspiration?
By Eva Emerson -
Animals
How architecture can make ants better workers
The right nest architecture can make harvester ants better at their job, new research shows.
By Susan Milius -
Health & Medicine
Hollywood-made science documentary series comes to TV
Breakthrough series gives a closer look at scientists at work.