Health Care Worker Exposed to Bird Flu: Symptoms and Unknowns
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that additional health care workers in Missouri developed mild respiratory symptoms after being exposed to a person hospitalized with confirmed H5N1 infection. Blood samples were...
Uncovering the Dangers of Thalidomide: Medical Investigation and Insights
It’s the early 1960s, and Widukind Lenz, a German pediatrician, is going door to door in his efforts to find out what is causing an epidemic of babies born with shortened limbs and other...
Understanding the Essence of Math with Drag Queen Kyne Santos
Mathematics is a subject that has puzzled many, including mathematicians themselves. The question of whether math is a discovery of nature or an invention of the human mind is still a topic of debate....
Is Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS the Brightest of the Year? – Expert Analysis and Predictions
A comet named C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) has astronomers excited as it approaches the sun in the coming days. Discovered in January 2023, this comet has an eccentricity just barely hyperbolic, indicating it likely originated...
Changing Perceptions: Rare Diagnoses and Medical Risk
As a graphics editor at Scientific American, I spend a lot of time thinking about and visualizing data—including data on medical risks. So when I got pregnant in 2018, I was prepared for things...
Hurricane Helene Disrupts Supply of Critical Computer Chip Material
Fears are rising about a significant disruption in the global semiconductor industry due to Hurricane Helene causing damage to a facility providing a key ingredient for manufacturing silicon wafers used in computer chips. Sibelco,...
The Science Behind Why Drinking Water Quenches Your Thirst
After a grueling workout on a scorching hot day, the relief and pleasure that come with taking that first gulp of water are undeniable. But why does drinking water feel so satisfying when we're...
Unveiling the Origins of Pluto’s Moon Charon with James Webb Space Telescope
Pluto's moon Charon has been a subject of interest for astronomers for decades, and recent findings using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have provided new insights into its composition. Astronomers have discovered carbon...
Alligator Gar: A Living Fossil That Has Barely Evolved in 100 Million Years
Alligator gar, scientifically known as Atractosteus spatula, is a fascinating creature that can be found in rivers, reservoirs, and coastal bays in the southwestern U.S. states, all the way down to Veracruz, Mexico. These...
Best Science-Fiction Books Recommended by Scientific American’s Staff
If you’ve ever dreamed of soaring through space or exploring fantastical worlds, you understand the allure of science fiction. The genre has the power to transport readers to unimaginable realms, challenging our understanding of...