Science & Society

  1. Science & Society

    Let’s learn about why schools should start later

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

    By
  2. Chemistry

    Was that fingerprint left during a crime? A new test may answer that

    In what could be a boon to forensics, Iowa State University chemists have come up with a way to analyze the age of fingerprints.

    By
  3. Tech

    Will the internet soon reach the one-third of people without it?  

    Access to the internet is a human right, yet much of the world can’t get online. New tech has to be affordable and usable to end this digital divide.

    By
  4. Math

    Meet the newest additions to the metric system

    The metric system just got its first update in 30 years. New prefixes will help scientists interpret the biggest — and smallest — numbers.

    By
  5. Chemistry

    Forensic scientists are gaining an edge on crime

    Advances in forensic science are helping to recover invisible fingerprints and identify missing people from bits of tissue or bone.

    By
  6. Animals

    Cougars pushed out by wildfires took more risks around roads

    After an intense burn in 2018 in California, big cats in the region crossed roads more often. That put them at higher risk of becoming roadkill.

    By
  7. Animals

    Cars hit more deer in the week after daylight saving time ends

    In the days right after most Americans turn back the clock, vehicle crashes with deer increase by 16 percent, a new study shows.

    By
  8. Agriculture

    Let’s learn about eating bugs

    Eating more insects, rather than pork, beef or other kinds of meat, may be better for the planet.

    By
  9. Health & Medicine

    Should we use a genetic weapon against mosquitoes carrying malaria?

    One gene drive to eliminate malaria seems to work in the lab. Now it’s time to ask local people if they want it released in the wild.

    By
  10. Psychology

    Why fandom feels good — and may be good for you

    Psychologists and media scholars are looking into the who, why and how of becoming a fan.

    By
  11. Science & Society

    What’s the fun in fear? Science explores the appeal of scary movies

    On its face, the appeal of horror doesn’t make much sense. But scientists are starting to uncover who’s most likely to enjoy scary films and why.

    By
  12. Space

    This physicist hopes to shake up our understanding of space

    Adeene Denton uses a combination of geology, astrophysics and coding to better understand the structure of planets.

    By