Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- 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?
- Science & Society
‘GMOs’ isn’t a four-letter word, but it is hard to define
The definition of what constitutes a genetically modified organism is a challenge to those tasked with developing standards for labeling foods that contain GMOs.
- Science & Society
Soviets nailed first landing on moon
The first spacecraft to safely land on the moon touched down on the lunar surface in 1966.
- Science & Society
‘Three-parent babies’ are ethically permissible, U.S. panel says
A panel of experts concludes that clinical experiments that create “three-parent babies” are ethical, with limits.
- Genetics
U.K. first to approve gene editing of human embryos for research
The United Kingdom is the first government to approve gene editing in human embryos for research purposes.
- Science & Society
Powerful rhetoric can overlook important details
Our Editor in Chief discusses the potential hazards of broad generalizations, specifically when it comes to genetically modified foods and abundant energy.
- Genetics
GMOs haven’t delivered on their promises — or risks
Genetically modified foods have been studied extensively and are abundant on supermarket shelves, but they haven’t managed to end world hunger yet.
- Particle Physics
Entanglement is spooky, but not action at a distance
Recent experiments on quantum entanglement confirm that it’s spooky, but it was not, as Einstein implied, action at a distance.
- Particle Physics
Quantum spookiness survives its toughest tests
Recent experiments on quantum entanglement confirm that it’s spooky, but it was not, as Einstein implied, action at a distance.
- Paleontology
Plesiosaurs swam like penguins
Computer simulations of plesiosaur swimming motion may resolve long-standing debate on how the marine reptile got around.
