Science News

All Stories by Science News

  1. SN Online

    ATOM & COSMOSJapan’s Hayabusa spacecraft has returned to Earth with the first-ever scrapings taken from an asteroid. Find out what the specks of dust reveal in “Asteroid sample nails meteorite source.” LIFEA young elephant shows off its ability to have an “aha” moment by finding a way to reach fruit just out of reach. Learn […]

  2. Science Future for September 24, 2011

    October 1 Afraid of the dark? The Boston Museum of Science’s “In the Dark” exhibit shows the wonders of caves, the deep ocean and more. Visit www.mos.org October 9–15 Earth Science Week explores “Our Ever-Changing Earth” with events and activities around the world. Learn what’s near you at www.earthsciweek.org October 14–21 The Imagine Science Film […]

  3. Science Past from the issue of September 23, 1961

    ALGAE COULD PROVIDE OXYGEN FOR SPACEMAN — Minute plant life that form the common green scum found on the surface of stagnant ponds and in river beds, Chlorella algae, assisted by the sun, may provide the future man in space with the oxygen essential to maintain life. A new gas exchange device operating on the […]

  4. On the Origin of Tepees: The Evolution of Ideas (and Ourselves) by Jonnie Hughes

    An entertaining tour of the American West shows how ideas spread through the cultural landscape. Free Press, 2011, 302 p., $25

  5. Future Science: Essays from the Cutting Edge (Vintage Original) by Max Brockman, ed.

    Essays by 19 young scientists explore how science will answer questions ranging from nature versus nurture to understanding infinity. Vintage Books, 2011, 247 p., $15.95

  6. Among African Apes: Stories and Photos from the Field by Martha M. Robbins and Christophe Boesch, eds.

    Tales and photos from primate researchers give readers a vivid look into the lives of apes. Univ. of California Press, 2011, 182 p., $29.95

  7. Virtual Water: Tackling the Threat to Our Planet’s Most Precious Resource by Tony Allan

    Learn why it takes 140 liters of water to make a cup of coffee in this exploration of the water use hidden in everyday life. I.B. Tauris, 2011, 368 p., $18

  8. The Wild Life of Our Bodies: Predators, Parasites, and Partners That Shape Who We Are Today by Rob Dunn

    A biologist explores how “clean living” has made people sicker in some ways. Harper, 2011, 290 p., $26.99

  9. BOOK REVIEW: Measure of the Earth: The Enlightenment Expedition That Reshaped Our World by Larrie D. Ferreiro

    Review by Nathan Seppa.

  10. BOOK REVIEW: Sex on Six Legs: Lessons on Life, Love and Language from the Insect World by Marlene Zuk

    Review by Susan Milius.

  11. Life

    Genes & Cells

    Caterpillars brainwashed by virus, bacteria break DNA and more in this week’s news.

  12. Health & Medicine

    Body & Brain

    Vaccine knocks down diarrhea cases, a flag for mortality risk and more in this week’s news.