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The Plight of Japan’s Ama Divers
Practiced mostly by women, this fishing tradition is thousands of years old. Can it survive?
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How Does Blood Splatter in Space?
Forensics has reached the final frontier, and could be used to solve future space accidents—or crimes.
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The End of the Dark Universe?
A new “post-quantum” theory of gravity says we can wave dark matter and dark energy goodbye.
The Porthole
Short sharp looks at science
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Why We Search for Silver Linings
A tendency to reframe negative events may be embedded in our neurobiology.
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The Quiet Comeback of the Tortoises
Following the eradication of invasive goats, giant tortoises are once again flourishing in the Galápagos islands.
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What Physicists Have Been Missing
An exciting new theory reconciles gravity and quantum physics. I think it’s wrong. But I may be too.
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Let’s Get Granular
Scientists have long puzzled over the behavior of mixed particles in rivers and landslides. New clues could be groundbreaking.
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When Calamity Comes at a Crawl
Climate change may exacerbate the quiet catastrophe of slow-moving landslides.
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Tools of the Wild: Unveiling the Crafty Side of Nature
It’s time to rethink what tools reveal about animal intelligence and evolution.
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The Groundhog Watchers
Meet Susan and Joe. Their daily observations of the groundhogs in their yard are making science history.
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How Quickly Do Large Language Models Learn Unexpected Skills?
A new study suggests that so-called emergent abilities actually develop gradually and predictably, depending on how you measure them. -
The Dissent Hidden in an Iconic Scientific Image
Gowan Dawson on his 3 greatest revelations while writing his book Monkey to Man. -
African Glaciers Will Vanish In Our Lifetimes
The loss of ice on Kilimanjaro and other peaks will upend ecosystems and livelihoods. -
The Boy Who Was King of Vanilla
His brilliant method of pollination is now used by all vanilla growers. -
A Knockout Issue
Asteroids, boxing, and hallucinations, in the editor’s note from Print Issue 54. -
Humpback Whales Caught Humping
The first observation of humpback whale copulation reveals a surprise. -
Evolution Is Going According to God’s Plan
In the new book Purpose, a Yale psychiatrist argues Darwinian forces are divinely guided. -
Could Modified Gravity Kill Planet Nine?
A controversial theory can explain phenomena attributed to the mystery planet. -
Why Artists Should View The World Through The Eyes Of A Tourist
A conversation with artist Jorge Colombo. -
The Power of Regret
A simple game shows how fear of regret shapes decisions. -
Science Is the New Nuclear Deterrent
Sarah Scoles on her 3 greatest revelations while writing Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons. -
Inside an Exploded Star
Cassiopeia A gets a close-up. -
What Your Brain Is Doing When You’re Not Doing Anything
On autopilot, the mind reveals new connections. -
Why Women Wake Up More During Surgery
New findings could influence anesthesia dosing for women. -
People Who Can’t Picture Sound in Their Minds
For some, the brain is a quiet place. -
Attorney for the Animals, Your Honor
In memory of Steve Wise, a tireless defender of animal rights. -
Unraveling the Evolution of Flight
Bird brain scans and dinosaur fossils hint at when the first creatures grew wings. -
The Call to Adventure and the Pit of Despair
A conversation with Issue 53 cover artist John Hendrix. -
The Thorny Ethics of Making Alien Planets Habitable
Terraforming Mars could risk exterminating the very lifeforms we dream of discovering. -
5 Myths About Love and Desire
Love languages aren’t a thing, and sex every day is probably overdoing it.