Feature

Chemistry

Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills

Recycling plastics is really hard, and usually creates low-quality materials that aren’t good for much. Chemists are trying to change that.

Science & Society

Marie Tharp’s groundbreaking maps brought the seafloor to the world

In part because of her gender, Tharp was the right person in the right place at the right time to make the first detailed maps of the ocean’s bottom.

Earth

How the Earth-shaking theory of plate tectonics was born

Plate tectonics explains many of Earth’s geologic wonders and natural hazards — and may hold clues to the evolution of life.