Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- 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.
- Tech
Online reading behavior predicts stock movements
People's current web surfing patterns predict future stock movements. The discovery could help authorities to stabilize financial markets.
- Science & Society
Human evolution, biomimicry and more go on display
A new human evolution gallery and a lecture series on Europa are among science events to explore in February 2016.
- Science & Society
Insights into sexes’ differing responses to stress
Chronic stress takes its toll on everyone. One of our reporters follows a line of research suggesting that stress hits women harder (or at least differently) than men.
- Physics
Physics’ metamorphosis explored in slim new book
From ancient Greek philosophy to quantum mechanics, a new book charts the evolution of physics.
- Earth
Five things science can (and can’t) tell us about North Korea’s nuclear test
North Korea’s claim about its recent nuclear bomb test isn’t entirely backed up by scientific evidence.
