Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Computing
A new computer program generates eerily realistic fake videos
It’s getting harder to tell fact from fiction — even on camera.
- Science & Society
Scientists-turned-students guide viewers through ‘The Most Unknown’
In The Most Unknown, a film on Netflix, a research round robin leads to fascinating discussions about scientific questions.
- Science & Society
The trouble with water, be it too much or too little
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the future of water and global issues associated with water scarcity and rising sea levels.
- Genetics
Researchers say CRISPR edits to a human embryo worked. But critics still doubt it
Researchers say that they have confirmed CRISPR/Cas9 edits of a heart disease–causing version of a gene, but critics still have doubts.
- Science & Society
For popularity on Twitter, partisanship pays
Pundits claim that we’re all living in political echo chambers. A new study shows that, on Twitter at least, they’re right.
- Health & Medicine
Hurricane Maria’s death toll in Puerto Rico topped 1,100, a new study says
According to data from the Puerto Rico vital statistics system, Hurricane Maria killed an estimated 1,139 people.
- Science & Society
Women and men get research grants at equal rates — if women apply in the first place
When women get research funding, they’ll stay funded as long as their male counterparts. But getting to the top of that heap is a challenge.
- Genetics
Most Americans think it’s OK to tweak a baby’s genes to prevent disease
Americans generally favor tweaking a baby’s genes to reduce the chance of getting a disease, but think boosting intelligence is a step too far.
- Science & Society
People are bad at spotting fake news. Can computer programs do better?
Fake news–finding algorithms could someday make up the front lines of online fact checking.
- Science & Society
What does fake news look like to you?
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the importance of being able to illustrate science visually.
- Genetics
50 years ago, scientists took baby steps toward selecting sex
In 1968, scientists figured out how to determine the sex of rabbit embryos.
- Health & Medicine
‘The Poisoned City’ chronicles Flint’s water crisis
A new book examines how lead ended up in Flint’s water and resulted in a prolonged public health disaster.
