Science & Society

  1. Math

    Science is heroic, with a tragic (statistical) flaw

    Science falls short of its own standards because of the mindless use of ritualistic statistical tests.

    By Tom Siegfried
  2. Science & Society

    Your photos reveal more than where you went on vacation

    By mining public databases of people’s photos, researchers can explore changing landscapes and tourist behavior.

    By Rachel Ehrenberg
  3. Science & Society

    No matter the language, disease risk is hard to communicate

    Reassuring messages about MERS might seem designed to stop panic. But in reality, people need to hear the truth, even if it’s uncertain.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  4. Science & Society

    ‘Faith vs. Fact’ takes aim at religion

    Jerry Coyne’s ‘Faith vs. Fact’ argues that science is the best – perhaps only – way of learning about the world.

    By Bruce Bower
  5. Physics

    ‘The Science of TV’s the Big Bang Theory’ educates as it entertains

    A science book inspired by fictional scientists helps readers understand everything from particle physics to potato electricity.

    By Meghan Rosen
  6. Psychology

    The guilty pleasure of funny cat videos

    Many people love posting and looking at cute kitty content online. A new survey shows that this could be because it helps us manage our emotions.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  7. Science & Society

    Deflategate favored foul play over science

    Science didn’t get center stage in the rulings on whether the New England Patriots underinflated footballs during championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.

    By Rachel Ehrenberg
  8. Science & Society

    Home-brewed heroin: Hold the hype

    Now is the time to think about policy for synthetically produced morphine, but the process, if it bears out, is years away from working.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  9. Neuroscience

    Homunculus reimagined

    A new study pinpoints the part of the brain that controls the neck muscles, tweaking the motor homunculus.

    By Laura Sanders
  10. Animals

    Pigs don’t deserve the name ‘Lesser Beasts’

    From ancient forests to modern farms, pigs’ relationship with humans has been symbiotic.

    By Teresa Shipley Feldhausen
  11. Science & Society

    Max Planck, originator of quantum theory, tormented by war and personal loss

    A biography by physicist Brandon Brown illuminates the personal struggles of the physics pioneer.

    By Tom Siegfried
  12. Science & Society

    Tech in the classroom foreseen 50 years ago

    Fifty years ago, scientists were looking forward to technology in the classroom.

    By Bethany Brookshire