Column
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Big questions on how food affects our health
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute explores the science behind major questions on food and health — from the addictive potential of ultraprocessed foods to the high-protein diet craze to the drawbacks of keto.
- Science & Society
Our relationship with alcohol is fraught. Ancient customs might inspire a reset
As evidence of alcohol's harms mounts, some people are testing out sobriety. Look to ancient civilizations' ways for a reset, scholars suggest.
- Anthropology
What Jane Goodall taught me about bones, loss and not wasting anything
A personal reflection recalls Jane Goodall’s quiet pragmatism, her deep bond with Gombe’s chimps and the scientific legacy of her skeletal collection.
- Science & Society
Nobel Prizes honor great discoveries — but leave much of science unseen
The Nobel Prize might be the most famous science prize but it celebrates just a narrow slice of science and very few scientists.
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When cancer targets the young
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the troubling rise of cancer among younger adults, and shares a glimmer of hope for those diagnosed in early childhood.
- Health & Medicine
Brains don’t all act their age
A slew of new research attempts to zero in on what happens as our brains get older — and what can bring about those changes early.
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Seeing the world in new ways
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute examines the exciting potential of the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory and muses on the mesmerizing world of fractals.
- Health & Medicine
Measure blood sugar with a grain of salt
Continuous glucose monitors are now readily available. With guidance, they can help people make small dietary and lifestyle changes for better health.
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A summer of escalating existential threats
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute reflects on the renewed specter of nuclear conflict to record-breaking heat driven by human-caused climate change.
- Health & Medicine
Vaccine policy in the U.S. is entering uncharted territory
A key advisory group vows to base decisions on evidence, boost confidence in vaccines and protect health. Experts fear the opposite is happening.
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Which animal should scare you more?
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses which should scare you more: sharks or ticks and fungus — and why sharks might actually be the least of your worries.
- Health & Medicine
Want to eat healthier? Add to your diet, rather than limit it
Nutrition experts say add more greens and beans to your diet; cooking classes can teach people to make these nutrient-dense foods taste delicious.
