Reviews
- Science & Society
‘Failure’ explores errors’ upsides
Missteps are a must in science, biologist argues in new book.
By Janet Raloff - Animals
‘On the Wing’ chronicles origins of flying animals
In "On the Wing," a biomechanicist reviews how animals took to the air.
By Sid Perkins - Anthropology
Early globalization on display in history of Eurasian civilization
It was a long, strange trip from the first Eurasian farmers to the modern world.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Hollywood-made science documentary series comes to TV
Breakthrough series gives a closer look at scientists at work.
- Chemistry
Zippy videos teach chemistry behind everyday life
The American Chemical Society breaks down complex reactions of everyday life in zippy online video clips.
By Beth Mole - Animals
Marine biologist chronicles a lifelong love of fishing
In A Naturalist Goes Fishing, a marine biologist takes readers on a round-the-world fishing expedition
By Sid Perkins - Humans
An amusing romp through word histories
From ak to wid, a new book makes etymology fun.
By Nathan Seppa - Science & Society
Centennial books illuminate Einstein’s greatest triumph
Scholars mark general relativity 100ths anniversary with books on history, biography, science.
- Planetary Science
‘The Martian’ is entertaining science fiction rooted in fact
With NASA’s help, filmmakers made story of astronaut stranded on Mars believable.
- Physics
Nobel laureate finds beauty in science and science in beauty
In ‘A Beautiful Question,’ Frank Wilczek explores links between math and art
- Astronomy
Go to Green Bank to listen to the stars
Visitors to the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia get a close-up with the world’s largest movable land object.
- Health & Medicine
Microbes make the meal, new diet book proposes
Researcher Tim Spector skewers conventional thinking about weight loss in ‘The Diet Myth’
By Meghan Rosen