Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Science & Society
Historian puts new spin on scientific revolution
The Invention of Science offers readers an unconventional perspective on the origins of modern science.
- Health & Medicine
Microcephaly: Building a case against Zika
Zika virus is the prime suspect for Brazil’s recent surge in birth defects. New evidence in human cells strengthens the case, but more definitive proof could come this summer from Colombia, where thousands of pregnant women have been infected.
- Science & Society
Zika virus, mosquitoes, gene drives: Ask us anything
Three Science News reporters answer questions about zika virus, genetically engineered mosquitoes, mosquito biology and more in a Reddit AMA on Friday, March 4.
- Animals
Is Amy Tan actually ‘thrilled’ a leech is named after her?
Novelist Amy Tan answers a lingering question about celebrities honored in scientific names of new species — her namesake is a leech.
- Psychology
Psychology’s replication crisis sparks new debate
Controversy flares again about whether psychology studies survive further scrutiny.
- Science & Society
Men’s voices dominate political ads, but voters listen to women
The gender of the narrator in political ads can help sway voters, but an analysis finds that this is one area that campaigns actually aren’t exploiting.
- Cosmology
Celebrating a new way to listen to the universe
Editor in Chief Eva Emerson reflects on the detection of gravitational waves as a historic moment for physics.
- Genetics
Prion disease gets personal
Diagnosis of a brain-wasting disease drove a married couple into science.
- Earth
‘Eruption’ looks back at devastating Mount St. Helens blast
In Eruption, a science writer recounts the societal, economic and geologic forces that contributed to the Mount St. Helens disaster.
- Physics
Gravity waves exemplify the power of intelligent equations
Discovering gravity waves confirms Einstein and illustrates the power of the human mind to discern physical phenomena hidden in mathematical equations.
- Tech
New clues illuminate mysteries of ancient Egyptian portraits
New analyses shed light on how ancient Egyptian “mummy paintings” were made.
- Science & Society
Sometimes busting myths can backfire
When Neil deGrasse Tyson busted the flat-Earth myth on Twitter, he got the world’s attention. But did the myth-busting work? Or did it backfire?
