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The Animals That Exist Between Life and Death
At the dawn of microbiology, scientists glimpsed unseen worlds and stumbled into a philosophical purgatory
The Porthole
Short sharp looks at science
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Eastern North America Is a Geological Hotbed
Violent crumpling of rock left a continental edge that is much more interesting than we imagined
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Why Elephants Rarely Get Cancer
What snakes, ferrets, and elephants are revealing about cancer resistance
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We Are a Part of Infinity
A neuroscientist uncovers Albert Einstein’s little known spiritual journey
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Argue Your Way to a Fuller Life
Refute your friends and family, never be satisfied. Philosopher Agnes Callard on life lessons from Socrates.
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Neutron Stars Hint at Another Dimension
Are the mysterious stars clues to one of the greatest mysteries in the universe?
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Balloon-Borne Telescopes Take Off
Stratospheric balloons are giving astronomers sharper views of the universe
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Why Our Brains Crave Ideology
A neuroscientist reveals how to nurture authentic and flexible thinking
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Ukrainian War Widows on the Edge
Adventure therapy takes on the challenge of helping war-torn families
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The Extraordinary, Imperiled Science at the End of the Earth
Firing experts in Antarctica couldn’t come at a worse time
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How We Solved the Hole in the Ozone
A scientist’s first-hand account shows the world can tackle a global environmental crisis.
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The Sean Carrolls Explain the Universe
Why are we here? Is there life on other planets? The renowned scientists who share a name share their answers to life’s big questions.
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The Soviet Rebel of Music
He composed on a computer in a dangerous time. His echo is still heard today.
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How Whales Could Help Us Speak to Aliens
Learning to decode complex communication on Earth may give us a leg up if intelligent life from space makes contact.
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We’re All Wild Things
Welcome to the Animal Issue -
Sea Slug, Climate Change Warrior
A species of sea hare has an impressive tolerance for heat and a penchant for gene mixing -
The Birds Eat the Bees
The crested honey buzzard’s unique adaptations help them eat their favorite food: young bees and wasps -
The Starlings’ Curious Odyssey
A legacy of the most hated bird in America -
The Art of the Atomic
James Stanford’s images depict an Earth and sky fractured by nuclear power -
Searching for Alien Life Along the Cosmic Shoreline
How planets gain and lose atmospheres might give us a new map of where to look for life -
How Talking Machines Got Their Voices
From the cockpit to consumer tech, synthetic voices shed light on gender biases -
A Closer Look at the Woolly Devil
The scientific potential of an overlooked flower -
Discovering the First Intersex Southern Right Whale
What you think you know depends on how you look -
How Pebbles Form Planets
It starts with static electricity and dust swirling around young stars -
What Caused the Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar?
A seismologist walks us through the region’s tectonic history -
The Surprising History of Scientific Ballooning in 11 Missions
It started with farm animals—now it’s revealing secrets of the cosmos -
Ping, You’ve Got Whale
A new AI system alerts ship captains in real-time when a whale is in their path -
The Mystery of the Pregnant Rays
Divers find hundreds of normally solitary electric rays snuggled together -
Celebrating the Relationship Between Science and Illustration
A conversation with Society of Illustrators executive director Arabelle Liepold -
The Deadly Story of a Life-Giving Element
Author Jack Lohmann on his new book about phosphorus -
When Fish Follow You
Some wild fish may recognize individual humans in the sea -
Icelandic Horses Have Good Genes
New evidence suggests their unique gaits have a complex pedigree -
The Great Whale Conveyor Belt
The loss of whales has weakened the longest food chain on the planet -
The Importance of Muscle
In his new book, Michael Joseph Gross explores how the notion of strength has changed since Homer
