Growing lunar potatoes + Dealing with razor-sharp moon dust
As NASA prepares for long-term moon bases, scientists are working on how to grow food in lunar soil and deal with razor-sharp moon dust.
Investigating ‘flow state’ with the bassist from Phish
In a 2025 story, Phish bassist Mike Gordon explains his work with neuroscientists to explore the transcendent experience of musical flow state.
Promising new treatments for pancreatic cancer and ALS
A new pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival times. And a new treatment for a rare form of ALS slows and improves some patients’ symptoms.
That chlorine smell at the pool? It’s pee
The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe.
Under proposed rule, science funding must pass political review
The Office of Management and Budget has proposed rule changes to insert a political review step into the scientific grantmaking process.
Can you learn to love the scorpion?
Fossils suggest there were ancient scorpions over 3 feet long. Terrifying? Perhaps, but there’s a lot to love about these arachnids.
FDA approves a well-known sunscreen ingredient—finally
The FDA approved the first new sunscreen ingredient in over 20 years—one that’s long been used around the world. What took so long?
Why do sports announcers talk like that?
A linguist breaks down “sports announcer talk,” from inverted speech and rising pitch to the world-famous goal roar.
Swords, cannibalism, poison: inside the world of killer microbes
Some microbe species have evolved to stab, bomb, cannibalize, or poison each other. Can we harness their weapons for good?
When music transports you to a different place
Musical daydreams are a phenomenon shared across humankind. What do they tell us about our brains?