Reviews
- Science & Society
All kinds of outbreaks, from COVID-19 to violence, share the same principles
Adam Kucharski talks about his new book ‘The Rules of Contagion,’ a timely read during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Climate
‘Tree Story’ explores what tree rings can tell us about the past
The book "Tree Story" explains how scientists decipher tree rings to discover clues about past climates and ancient civilizations.
- Climate
These 6 books explore climate change science and solutions
Science News staff read recent books about climate change to help guide you to which ones you might like.
- Climate
What Michael Moore’s new film gets wrong about renewable energy
Michael Moore’s Planet of the Humans challenges renewable energy’s ability to fight climate change, but it’s riddled with errors and old information.
- Neuroscience
‘The Idea of the Brain’ explores the evolution of neuroscience
Despite advances, much about the human brain is still a mystery, a new book shows
- Space
‘Spacefarers’ predicts how space colonization will happen
In Spacefarers, Christopher Wanjek provides an optimistic yet realistic view on how humans might colonize the rest of our solar system.
- Science & Society
How materials science has changed humankind — for better and worse
As people began wielding new materials, the technologies fundamentally changed humankind, the new book ‘The Alchemy of Us’ argues.
- Space
‘Alien Oceans’ argues the search for E.T. should include the outer solar system
In Alien Oceans, a NASA scientist explores the evidence that ice-covered moons host hidden oceans, where life could evolve and thrive.
- Genetics
The PBS documentary ‘The Gene’ showcases genetics’ promise and pitfalls
A film from executive producer Ken Burns delivers an unfiltered history of genetics, showing how the science has helped and hurt people.
- Life
A new book captures how genetics fills in the story of life’s evolution
In Some Assembly Required, paleontologist Neil Shubin explores how genetic analyses complement paleontological research.
- Genetics
‘Human Nature’ offers CRISPR novices a basic introduction
A film that introduces people to CRISPR aims to spark debate about how to use the gene editor.
- Space
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin revealed stars’ composition and broke gender barriers
The book ‘What Stars Are Made Of’ celebrates the life of astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.
