Feature

Science & Society

What made the last century’s great innovations possible?

Science paved the way for antibiotics, lasers, computers and COVID-19 vaccines, but science alone was not enough.

Climate

How did we get here? The roots and impacts of the climate crisis

Over the last century and a half, scientists have built a strong case for the roots and impacts of human-caused climate change.

Chemistry

Marie Maynard Daly was a trailblazing biochemist, but her full story may be lost

Marie Maynard Daly was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry, but her own perspective on her research is missing from the historical record.

Computing

Now that computers connect us all, for better and worse, what’s next?

The digital revolution has brought chess-playing robots, self-driving cars, curated newsfeeds — and new ethical challenges.

Computing

Core memory weavers and Navajo women made the Apollo missions possible

The stories of the women who assembled integrated circuits and wove core memory for the Apollo missions remain largely unknown.

Computing

Artificial intelligence challenges what it means to be creative

Computer programs can mimic famous artworks, but struggle with originality and lack self-awareness.

Genetics

Gene therapies for sickle cell disease come with hope and challenges

Pediatrician Erica Esrick discusses existing sickle cell treatments and an ongoing clinical trial.

Genetics

How the Human Genome Project revolutionized understanding of our DNA

Completion of the Human Genome Project was a huge milestone, but there’s more work to do to ensure equitable access to the information in our DNA.

Genetics

How one scientist aims to boost Black people’s representation in genetic datasets

Through information sharing, geneticist Tshaka Cunningham wants to build trust and encourage more Black people to engage with the medical community.

Science & Society

Military towns are the most racially integrated places in the U.S. Here’s why

The military’s big stick approach allowed the institution to integrate troops and military towns. Can the civilian world follow suit?

Science & Society

How we got from Gregor Mendel’s pea plants to modern genetics

Philosopher Yafeng Shan explains how today's understanding of inheritance emerged from a muddle of ideas at the turn of the 20th century.

Tech

Materials of the last century shaped modern life, but at a price

From our homes and cities to our electronics and clothing, the stuff of daily life is dramatically different from decades ago.