Scientific American

Science news and technology updates from Scientific American

50, 100 & 150 Years Ago: August 2021

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Tasty radio; early fake leather

Poem: 'Elizabeth Cabot Agassiz (1822–1907)'

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Science in meter and verse

New Space Radiation Limits Needed for NASA Astronauts, Report Says

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:30:00 GMT

Although meant to minimize risks to human health, the proposed new limits would still be exceeded by any conceivable near-future crewed voyage to Mars

The Idea That Trees Talk to Cooperate Is Misleading

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 14:00:00 GMT

It’s a romantic notion, but pretending they’re like humans could actually harm the cause of conservation

Behold the 'Borg': Massive DNA Structures Perplex Scientists

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Researchers say they have discovered unique and exciting DNA strands in the mud; others are not sure of their novelty

Jeff Bezos Launches into Space on Blue Origin's First Astronaut Flight

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:30:00 GMT

The billionaire and three others take a suborbital trip onboard the craft New Shepard

NASA Investigates Renaming James Webb Space Telescope after Anti-LGBT+ Claims

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Some astronomers argue the space agency’s next flagship observatory will memorialize discrimination. Others are waiting for more evidence

The Case for Antiracism

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 13:30:00 GMT

In Case You Missed It

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Top news from around the world

For Good Science, You Need Engaged Citizens

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 13:00:00 GMT

They strengthen the institutions that ensure a strong democracy, leading to rational decisions

The Human Framework for Alien Life

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 13:30:00 GMT

These Dinosaurs Had a Complicated Air Conditioner in Their Skull

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:00:00 GMT

Cooling 5,000-pound, armor-plated giants was no small feat.

Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin Are Finally Flying to Space

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:00:00 GMT

After nearly twenty years pursuing a lifelong dream of spaceflight, the world’s wealthiest person is at last ready for lift off

Why So Many Young People Hate STEM Courses

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Take it from someone who almost gave up on her dream of being a scientist

Hardy Microbes Hint at Possibilities for Extraterrestrial Life

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:45:00 GMT

Studies of extreme ecosystems on Earth can guide the search for Martian life and may reveal the fundamental limits of biology

One Head, 1,000 Rear Ends: The Tale of a Deeply Weird Worm

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 14:00:00 GMT

Ramisyllis multicaudata is an animal that seems to have adopted the lifestyle of a fungus

O UFOs, Where Art Thou?

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Five reasons why sorting all of this out is so scientifically challenging

Moths Have an Acoustic Invisibility Cloak to Stay under Bats' Radar

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:00:00 GMT

New research finds they fly around on noise-cancelling wings

New Approach Could Boost the Search for Life in Otherworldly Oceans

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 10:45:00 GMT

“Ecological biosignatures” hold promise for revealing alien organisms that may dwell within icy moons such as Jupiter’s Europa and Saturn’s Enceladus

Poem: 'Lesson from the West African Lungfish (Protopterus annectens)'

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Science in meter and verse

What You Know about Trump's Assault on Science Was Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Help us reveal the rest

Spiders on Tiny Treadmills Give Scientists the Side-Eye

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 18:00:00 GMT

Jumping spiders see more in their periphery than previously known

Quantum Mechanics, Plato's Cave and the Blind Piranha

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 14:00:00 GMT

Can we ever really know the world?

Readers Respond to the April 2021 Issue

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Letters to the editor from the April 2021 issue of Scientific American

Play Is Serious Business for Elephants

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:30:00 GMT

Young dogs, apes and other animals develop skills needed to survive and reproduce