Feature

  1. Astronomy

    A New Spin

    Using a flotilla of spacecraft to study X-ray emissions from the vicinity of black holes, astronomers are nudging ever closer to the whirlpool of activity surrounding these gravitational monsters.

    By Ron Cowen
  2. Humans

    Science News of the Year 2006

    A review of important scientific achievements reported in Science News during the year 2006.

    By Science News
  3. Earth

    Rocking the House

    A recent test that simulated the effect of a magnitude-6.7 earthquake on a full-size, wood-frame townhouse may help engineers and analysts design more earthquake-resistant homes. With sound and video.

    By Sid Perkins
  4. Math

    Crafty Geometry

    By mastering traditional handicrafts such as knitting and crocheting, mathematicians are better able to understand complex surfaces.