Science & Society

  1. Animals

    ‘Phallacy’ deflates myths about the penises of the animal kingdom

    By touring nature’s many penises, Phallacy author Emily Willingham puts the human organ in its place.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  2. Psychology

    ‘Deaths of despair’ are rising. It’s time to define despair

    A sense of defeat, not mental ailments, may be derailing the lives of less-educated people in the United States.

    By Bruce Bower
  3. Astronomy

    Turning space images into music makes astronomy more accessible

    Music created from telescope data helps people with blindness and visual impairments experience the wonders of astronomy, and could aid research.

    By Maria Temming
  4. Science & Society

    ‘Great Adaptations’ unravels mysteries of amazing animal abilities

    Kenneth Catania has resorted to some unusual experiments to understand the lives of star-nosed moles, electric eels and other remarkable animals.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  5. Science & Society

    Easy interventions like revamping forms help people show up to court

    A new study shows that simple behavioral interventions called nudges can help people avoid a missed court appearance and resulting arrest warrant.

    By Sujata Gupta
  6. Science & Society

    This year’s SN 10 scientists aim to solve some of science’s biggest challenges

    Our SN 10: Scientists to Watch for 2020 include researchers tackling wildfire smoke, teen suicide and earthquake monitoring.

    By Science News Staff
  7. Science & Society

    ‘Schrödinger’s Web’ offers a sneak peek at the quantum internet

    For an entertaining overview of the physics and technological advances paving the way for the quantum internet, read ‘Schrödinger’s Web.’

    By Dan Garisto
  8. Space

    Hope for life on Venus survives for centuries against all odds

    Early scientists often assumed that Venus, though hotter than Earth, hosted life.

    By Tom Siegfried
  9. Science & Society

    ‘The Origins of You’ explores how kids develop into their adult selves

    A new book describes the interplay of nature and nurture as children, at least in Western societies, grow up.

    By Bruce Bower
  10. Science & Society

    How COVID-19 worsened gender inequality in the U.S. workforce

    Compared with men, the pandemic disproportionately hurt working women, including mothers of young children.

    By Sujata Gupta
  11. Science & Society

    Creative school plans could counter inequities exposed by COVID-19

    Many K–12 schools this fall are virtual, which could widen the nation’s already large opportunity gaps. What are schools doing to reach all students?

    By Sujata Gupta
  12. Computing

    How next-gen computer generated maps detect partisan gerrymandering

    The U.S. census will trigger a new round of redistricting beginning in 2021. Researchers have developed numerous tests to identify gerrymandering.

    By Sujata Gupta