Science & Society

  1. Health & Medicine

    50 years ago, scientists were trying to get a grip on Lassa fever

    In 1970, scientists were on the trail of a deadly new virus. Fifty years later, a vaccine is just now being tested in people.

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  2. Science & Society

    How the U.S. census has measured race over 230 years

    As the U.S. census gets under way, a review of historical data shows the difficulties in measuring race

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  3. Science & Society

    New electrodes can better capture brain waves of people with natural hair

    Electrodes weren’t designed for people with thick, curly hair. A redesign is needed, says engineer Pulkit Grover.

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  4. Science & Society

    To fight discrimination, the U.S. census needs a different race question

    Asking about race on the U.S. census can help identify discrimination against minority groups. But sociologists say the question needs a makeover.

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  5. Chemistry

    Thirdhand smoke wafting off moviegoers hurts air quality in theaters

    Nonsmoking theaters can still get exposed to cigarette-related pollutants carried in on audience members’ bodies and clothing.

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  6. Climate

    Ordering from a local store can curb online shopping’s CO₂ emissions

    Online shopping isn’t necessarily better for the environment than going to the store in person, a new study finds.

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  7. Climate

    How scientists wrestle with grief over climate change

    With climate change altering our world at an increasing pace, scientists who monitor and study nature are frustrated and grieving.

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  8. Science & Society

    Turning human bodies into compost works, a small trial suggests

    Experiments test the effectiveness and safety of human composting, which may soon be an alternative to burial or cremation in Washington state.

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  9. Artificial Intelligence

    Linking sense of touch to facial movement inches robots toward ‘feeling’ pain

    Artificial systems that allow a robot to “feel” pain might ultimately lead to empathy.

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  10. Computing

    AI can predict which criminals may break laws again better than humans

    Computer algorithms are better than people at forecasting recidivism, at least in some situations, a new study finds.

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  11. Materials Science

    The containers the U.S. plans to use for nuclear waste storage may corrode

    The different components of a nuclear waste storage unit start to corrode each other when wet, new lab experiments show.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    50 years ago, scientists debated the necessity of a smallpox vaccine

    In 1970, scientists debated the necessity of routine smallpox vaccinations as the disease declined. Fifty years later, the debate continues.

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