Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Computing
‘The Imitation Game’ entertains at the expense of accuracy
Inaccuracies weaken “The Imitation Game,” an otherwise enjoyable film about Alan Turing breaking the Enigma code during World War II.
- Life
Contamination blamed in STAP stem cell debacle
Stem cells supposedly made in acid baths were really embryonic stem cells, investigation finds.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
