Feature

Chemistry

Radiometric dating puts pieces of the past in context. Here’s how

Carbon dating and other techniques answer essential questions about human history, our planet and the solar system.

Climate

Rice feeds half the world. Climate change’s droughts and floods put it at risk

Rice provides sustenance for billions who have no alternative, and climate change threatens to slash production. Growers will need to innovate to provide an important crop as climate whiplash brings drought and floods to fields worldwide.

Chemistry

Luis Miramontes helped enable the sexual revolution. Why isn’t he better known?

By synthesizing norethindrone, one of the first active ingredients in birth control pills, Luis Miramontes helped usher in the sexual revolution.

Health & Medicine

By taking on poliovirus, Marguerite Vogt transformed the study of all viruses

She pioneered the field of molecular virology with her meticulous lab work and “green thumb” for tissue culture.

Humans

Fossils and ancient DNA paint a vibrant picture of human origins

Paleoanthropologists have sketched a rough timeline of how human evolution played out, centering the early action in Africa.

Agriculture

Cold plasma could transform the sustainable farms of the future

Physicists have been working on ways to use the power of plasma to boost plant growth and kill pathogens.

Psychology

Perspective-changing experiences, good or bad, can lead to richer lives

Happiness or meaning have long been seen as keys to the “good life.” Psychologists have now defined a third good life for people leading rich psychological lives.

Astronomy

How radio astronomy put new eyes on the cosmos

A century ago, radio astronomy didn’t exist. But since the 1930s, it has uncovered cosmic secrets from planets next door and the faint glow of the universe’s beginnings.

Science & Society

Gender-affirming care improves mental health for transgender youth

Several state legislatures have taken steps to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender adolescents. That goes against medical guidelines.

Astronomy

The definition of planet is still a sore point – especially among Pluto fans

In the 15 years since Pluto lost its planet status, scientists have continued to use the definition that works for them.

Psychology

How the strange idea of ‘statistical significance’ was born

A mathematical ritual known as null hypothesis significance testing has led researchers astray since the 1950s.

Psychology

Psychology has struggled for a century to make sense of the mind

Research into what makes us tick has been messy and contentious, but has led to intriguing insights.