Science News

All Stories by Science News

  1. BOOK REVIEW: Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams

    Review by Daniel Strain.

  2. The Stem Cell Hope: How Stem Cell Medicine Can Change Our Lives by Alice Park

    A narrative account explores the history of stem cells through the stories of scientists and patients. Hudson Street Press, 2011, 318 p., $25.95

  3. Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life: A Psychologist Investigates How Evolution, Cognition, and Complexity are Revolutionizing our View of Human Nature by Douglas T. Kenrick

    Anecdotes enliven a psychologist’s take on the role of evolution in murderous fantasies, racial prejudice and other unsavory aspects of human nature. Basic Books, 2011, 238 p., $26.99

  4. Saving Sea Turtles: Extraordinary Stories from the Battle against Extinction by James R. Spotila

    A turtle biologist makes a plea to save sea turtles, remarkable creatures that start life buried in up to two feet of sand. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 216 p., $24.95

  5. The Power of Music: Pioneering Discoveries in the New Science of Song by Elena Mannes

    A music lover interviews scientists and musicians in this fun exploration of the science of music. Walker & Company, 2011, 263 p., $26

  6. The Quest for the Cure: The Science and Stories Behind the Next Generation of Medicines by Brent R. Stockwell

    In this well-researched look into the complexities of making  medicines, a chemical biologist gives a history of drug making and details innovative methods of drug discovery. Columbia Univ. Press, 2011, 265 p., $27.95

  7. Letters

    Irrational with money Bruce Bower’s excellent article on “Simple heresy” (SN: 6/4/11, p. 26) showcases the blindness of mainstream economics. Namely, economics is often more like the weather than a game of dice: chaotic — with catastrophes, cycles and all manner of weird behavior. Yet economists continue to use statistical models that work “until they don’t.” So […]

  8. Men to Mars Possible in 60’s, Experts Say

    Experts had forecast that astronauts would walk on Mars by 1970, but such a feat is still 20-plus years out.

  9. Space

    Atom & Cosmos

    A Saturnian storm, an asteroid visit, a leaky Betelgeuse and more in this week's news.

  10. Humans

    Humans

    Poorer families take bigger risks, plus untrustworthy mugs and adulterous wives in this week's news.

  11. Chemistry

    Molecules/Matter & Energy

    Tibetan singing bowls, supersized Rubik's Cubes and sound-squeezing soda cans in this week's news

  12. Earth

    Earth & Environment

    Mountaintop mining, plastic fish and the return of the right whale in this week's news