Science & Society

  1. Neuroscience

    Smartphone users’ thumbs are reshaping their brains

    Smartphones are forcing us to use our thumbs in new ways and reshaping the way our brains respond to touch.

    By Ashley Yeager
  2. Chemistry

    Retraction looms for brute-force chemistry study

    A 2011 study on tearing apart ring-shaped molecules is set to be retracted following a misconduct investigation.

    By Beth Mole
  3. Science & Society

    This study of hype in press releases will change journalism

    A survey of press releases and their related scientific studies shows that hype may creep from press releases to news coverage. But this doesn’t give anyone at any stage of the news cycle a pass.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  4. Science & Society

    Ebola, Rosetta, e-cigarettes and more top stories of 2014

    West Africa’s Ebola epidemic captured the attention of both the scientific world, and the world at large in 2014, placing it first among the Top 25 stories of the year.

    By Science News Staff
  5. Science & Society

    Science’s good, bad, ugly year

    In the race for Top Science Story of 2014, some of the contenders stumbled before reaching the finish line.

    By Tom Siegfried
  6. Science & Society

    Science inspires awe — and arguments

    As an eventful year in the sciences concludes, one that sparked both triumph and tragedy, SN's Editor in Chief contemplates 2014's most interesting stories.

    By Eva Emerson
  7. Genetics

    Year in review: Easy stem cells a no go

    An incredibly easy method for making stem cells turned out to be impossible, again tainting the stem cell research field with controversy.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  8. Math

    Math to match pedestrian behavior is all about timing

    The best-ever simulation of pedestrians moving through a crowd relies on a new formula that encapsulates people’s ability to anticipate collisions.

    By Andrew Grant
  9. Science & Society

    Microsoft cofounder funds new institute for cell science

    The Allen Institute for Cell Science will be housed in the same building in Seattle as the Allen Institute for Brain Science.

    By Science News Staff
  10. Science & Society

    Compassionate colleagues can help labs restart after disaster

    Scientists plan for many things, but often not for disaster. Two scientists share their story of recovery after Superstorm Sandy.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  11. Health & Medicine

    A look back at 2013’s disasters

    The Philippines, India and China each lost more than 1,000 lives in 2013 in mass calamities.

    By Science News Staff
  12. Earth

    Exhibit lays out principles for disaster-resistant structures

    The National Building Museum’s ‘Designing for Disaster’ exhibit showcases the science and engineering of making disaster-resistant infrastructure.

    By Erin Wayman