Did the fire at the Library of Alexandria set humanity back?
Author Sam Kean explores our fascination with lost knowledge in his new book, “The Museum of Lost Things”
What would a Jurassic forest sound like?
Using fossil records and AI tools, scientists reconstructed a soundscape of a Jurassic forest, complete with ancient katydid calls.
Is a shorter course of antibiotics OK? + Genetic risk of fibromyalgia
Shorter courses of antibiotics may reduce antimicrobial resistance. Plus, a new study finds a group of genes associated with fibromyalgia.
Black bears are moving into the neighborhood. How do we coexist?
As black bears return to their historic ranges across the U.S., human encounters are increasing. How can bears and people live in harmony?
Why cannabis’s health effects are so hard to study
Cannabis seems to be everywhere, in many forms. We’re learning more about its effect on teenage brains and its usefulness as a therapeutic.
Did scientists just find a dark matter particle? Maybe
The LUX-ZEPLIN detector picked up a strange signal that scientists haven’t cracked yet. Could it be a dark matter interaction?
Why physics and philosophy need each other
Physicist Carlo Rovelli urges conversations between physics and philosophy in a search for answers about the universe.
The mushroom that causes hallucinations of ‘tiny people’
Scientists are trying to decode the hallucinogenic properties of a mushroom that consistently makes people see miniature humans.
Recall rodeo: A food safety update + Why cars are catching fire
Food recalls abounded this summer, but was it unusual? Plus, why some modern cars burst into flames, even when turned off.
For Jennifer Chayes, math is a ‘native tongue’
Jennifer Chayes’ game-changing ideas in math and computer science helped pave the way for today’s innovations in machine learning and AI.