Uncovering the Truth: Pentagon’s Secret UFO Office Revealed
A decade ago, an office in the Pentagon called the Advanced Aerospace Weapon Systems Applications Program (AAWSAP) quietly investigated UFOs and the paranormal. This program received $22 million in funding but was canceled four...
Lessons from Milgram’s Shock Studies on Confronting Authoritarianism
Fifty years ago, Stanley Milgram conducted a series of experiments that shed light on the extent to which ordinary people would follow orders, even when it meant causing harm to others. The results of...
Polio Outbreak in Gaza: Updates on Vaccination Campaign
The first round of a global effort to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against polio concluded in mid-September, with almost 560,000 kids receiving initial doses amid humanitarian pauses in the ongoing war. The...
UK’s Last Coal-Fired Power Plant in Nottinghamshire Shuts Down: A Final Farewell
It was a somber day at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant in Nottinghamshire as the last coal-fired power plant in the UK shut down, marking the end of a 142-year reliance on coal for electricity generation....
Discovering Negative Time: Quantum Physicists’ Strange Experiment Unveils New Findings
Quantum physicists are always uncovering strange and fascinating phenomena in the quantum realm. Recently, researchers at the University of Toronto led by Daniela Angulo made a groundbreaking discovery: photons, the wave-particles of light, can...
Early Universe Had More Black Holes than Previously Believed, Hubble Study Finds
Supermassive black holes are some of the most impressive objects in the universe, with masses around one billion times more than that of the Sun. These black holes have been around for a long...
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...
Unconscious Pattern Detection in the Brain: A Fascinating Insight
The study of neuronal activity in individuals with electrodes implanted in their brains has revealed that the brain can detect patterns without conscious thought. Neurons in key brain regions combine information on what occurs...
Penicillin Musical Raises Awareness on Antibiotic Resistance at U.N. Meeting
In May, Robert Farese, a cell biologist and physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, received an interesting email inviting him to audition for a musical about penicillin. Despite antibiotics...
Combatting Misinformation in Science: The U.N.’s Efforts
Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you're enjoying the start of autumn and some cool sweater weather. This is Rachel Feltman, bringing you the latest science news on Scientific American's Science Quickly podcast. Today, we...
Exposing Big Oil’s False Claims on Plastic Recycling
California recently filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, aiming to expose the false claims made by big oil companies regarding plastic recycling. The lawsuit highlights the deceptive practices of the plastics and petrochemical industries, which...
Balancing Family and Career: Challenges for Women in the Tech Industry
A recent study has found that women in the tech industry are faced with the difficult choice of balancing family life and their careers. The study, conducted by tech events firm Web Summit, revealed...
Addressing the Root Causes of Misinformation: A Comprehensive Approach
Americans are increasingly worried about misinformation online, especially after reports that the Justice Department seized 32 domains linked to a Russian influence operation in the 2024 presidential election. Many believe that false information on...
No Region Is Safe: Hurricane Helene’s Devastation and Climate Change Impacts
Communities across the Southeast are facing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, one of the most destructive disasters in the country's history. The devastation spread from Florida's Gulf Coast to southern Appalachia, highlighting the increasing...
Discovery of Negative Time in Quantum Physics Experiment: Implications and Findings
Quantum physicists have recently made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges our understanding of time in the quantum realm. A team of researchers led by Daniela Angulo from the University of Toronto has shown that...
Understanding the Severe Flooding in Appalachia: Impact of Helene’s Remnants
Inland flooding from tropical cyclones, even in high elevations, is a major concern that scientists are still trying to understand fully. Hurricane Helene caused record flooding and devastation on September 28, 2024, in Asheville,...
Unveiling Rare One-in-10-Billion Particle Decay for Hidden Physics Discovery
Physicists have recently made a groundbreaking discovery regarding a rare particle decay process that could potentially unveil new forces and particles in the universe. The finding suggests that there may be unknown actors interfering...
The Importance of Data Strategy for UK’s AI Leadership: Government Warning
The UK is being warned that without a solid data strategy in place, it may risk losing its lead in artificial intelligence (AI) development. Data centres, which are essential for cloud computing and powering...
Uncovering Ancient Structures: Lost Seafloor Chunk Near Easter Island Discovered
Scientists recently made an incredible discovery deep beneath the Pacific Ocean near Easter Island. They found what they described as a "fossilized fingerprint" of a chunk of seafloor that sank into Earth's mantle about...
25% Off BlueAir DustMagnet 5440i Air Purifier – $80 Off Amazon Deal
Are you struggling with poor air quality in your home but don't have space for a big air purifier? BlueAir has a solution with the DustMagnet 5440i, now $80 off on Amazon for $239.99....
Save $150 on Dyson Air Purifier Deal Before Prime Day
This stylish Dyson HP09 air purifier not only provides cleaner air but also cools and heats the room. Thanks to the October sale, the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 is now priced at $699.99 on...