Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Science & Society
2,500 years ago, the philosopher Anaxagoras brought science’s spirit to Athens
Natural philosopher Anaxagoras promoted the view that phenomena should be explained by natural processes, not attributed to the actions of the gods.
- Health & Medicine
Meet three moderators fighting disinformation on Reddit’s largest coronavirus forum
Science News spoke with volunteers about what it takes to correct misinformation online during a pandemic.
- Science & Society
The book ‘Viral BS’ offers a cure for medical myths and fake health news
In ‘Viral BS,’ physician and author Seema Yasmin fights misinformation with a dose of storytelling.
- Health & Medicine
FDA and CDC OK resuming J&J COVID-19 shots paused over rare clot concerns
The single-dose vaccine carries a low risk of rare blood clots in women under 50, but experts say its benefits outweigh that risk.
- Science & Society
Videocalling needed more than a pandemic to finally take off. Will it last?
Zoom and social distancing ushered in the futuristic videophone fantasy AT&T wanted and consumers rejected for decades.
- Science & Society
A new book explores how military funding shaped the science of oceanography
In ‘Science on a Mission,’ science historian Naomi Oreskes argues that funding from the U.S. Navy both facilitated and stymied marine research.
- Science & Society
50 years ago, the United States wanted to deflate the helium stockpile
An attempt to dismantle the Federal Helium Reserve in 1971 failed. Fifty years later, the U.S. government is still determined to run out of gas.
- Anthropology
‘First Steps’ shows how bipedalism led humans down a strange evolutionary path
In a new book, a paleoanthropologist argues that walking upright has had profound effects on human anatomy and behavior.
- Science & Society
STEM’s racial, ethnic and gender gaps are still strikingly large
Black and Hispanic professionals remain underrepresented in STEM, while women’s representation varies widely by STEM field, according to a new report.
- Psychology
People add by default even when subtraction makes more sense
People default to addition when solving puzzles and problems, even when subtraction works better. That could underlie some modern-day excesses.
- Tech
‘Pipe Dreams’ flushes out hope in an unexpected place: the toilet
A new book shows how reimagined toilets will allow humans to use pee and poop as natural resources.
- Science & Society
We’ve covered science for 100 years. Here’s how it has — and hasn’t — changed
Today’s researchers pursue knowledge with more detail and sophistication, but some of the questions remain the same.
