Science & Society

  1. Science & Society

    Historian puts new spin on scientific revolution

    The Invention of Science offers readers an unconventional perspective on the origins of modern science.

    By Tom Siegfried
  2. Health & Medicine

    Microcephaly: Building a case against Zika

    Zika virus is the prime suspect for Brazil’s recent surge in birth defects. New evidence in human cells strengthens the case, but more definitive proof could come this summer from Colombia, where thousands of pregnant women have been infected.

    By Meghan Rosen
  3. Science & Society

    Zika virus, mosquitoes, gene drives: Ask us anything

    Three Science News reporters answer questions about zika virus, genetically engineered mosquitoes, mosquito biology and more in a Reddit AMA on Friday, March 4.

    By Science News Staff
  4. Animals

    Is Amy Tan actually ‘thrilled’ a leech is named after her?

    Novelist Amy Tan answers a lingering question about celebrities honored in scientific names of new species — her namesake is a leech.

    By Susan Milius
  5. Psychology

    Psychology’s replication crisis sparks new debate

    Controversy flares again about whether psychology studies survive further scrutiny.

    By Bruce Bower
  6. Science & Society

    Men’s voices dominate political ads, but voters listen to women

    The gender of the narrator in political ads can help sway voters, but an analysis finds that this is one area that campaigns actually aren’t exploiting.

    By Rachel Ehrenberg
  7. Cosmology

    Celebrating a new way to listen to the universe

    Editor in Chief Eva Emerson reflects on the detection of gravitational waves as a historic moment for physics.

    By Eva Emerson
  8. Genetics

    Prion disease gets personal

    Diagnosis of a brain-wasting disease drove a married couple into science.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  9. Earth

    ‘Eruption’ looks back at devastating Mount St. Helens blast

    In Eruption, a science writer recounts the societal, economic and geologic forces that contributed to the Mount St. Helens disaster.

    By Sid Perkins
  10. Physics

    Gravity waves exemplify the power of intelligent equations

    Discovering gravity waves confirms Einstein and illustrates the power of the human mind to discern physical phenomena hidden in mathematical equations.

    By Tom Siegfried
  11. Tech

    New clues illuminate mysteries of ancient Egyptian portraits

    New analyses shed light on how ancient Egyptian “mummy paintings” were made.

    By Bruce Bower
  12. Science & Society

    Sometimes busting myths can backfire

    When Neil deGrasse Tyson busted the flat-Earth myth on Twitter, he got the world’s attention. But did the myth-busting work? Or did it backfire?

    By Bethany Brookshire