Letters to the Editor

Earth

Mineral hunting, mob math and more reader feedback

Readers ask about Earth's most abundant mineral and discuss the notoriously unpredictable behavior of pedestrians.

Science & Society

Smell circuitry, stalled stem cells and more reader feedback

Readers discuss a journal's publishing practices, ask about the human sense of smell and weigh in on their favorite picks from our Top 25 stories of the year.

Neuroscience

Feedback

Readers discuss volcanoes and brain studies involving chocolate, and recommend some science-based options for game night.

Oceans

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Readers discuss oil spills, the dangers of fracking and what teams need to succeed on long space missions.

Health & Medicine

Online favorites of 2014

Science News' website traffic reveals the most-read news stories and blog posts of 2014.

Earth

Feedback

Readers comment on changing bird populations, question the usefulness of a new medical test and discuss the interesting physics behind rainbows.

Archaeology

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Readers ask questions about a study on sweeteners, how scientists recognize primitive tools and the purpose of a dinosaur's sail.

Microbes

Feedback

Readers shares stories about bacteria, discuss ancient volcanic eruptions and express a fondness for science-inspired art.

Health & Medicine

Feedback

Readers discuss methods to prevent sepsis and whether genes are thrifty, while Tina Saey clears up some confusion regarding Ebola's airborne status.

Animals

Feedback

Readers respond to jellyfish, goalkeeping and off-kilter planets.

Planetary Science

Feedback

Readers discuss sources of stress in everyday life and tell us what they think about NASA's plan to nab an asteroid.

Earth

Feedback

Readers discuss Tibetan genetics, how Saharan dust built the Bahamas and why people don't like being left alone with their thoughts.