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67New Issue: Scienceâs Impossible Questions. Read Now</a></div><main class="main-kSL-E" id="main"><div style="--font-heading:var(--font-condensed);--font-heading-weight:500;--font-subheading:var(--font-sans);--font-subheading-weight:400" class="temp_fix-Kuqp-"> <section class="topFold--iOr1"><h1 class="sr-only">Scientific American</h1><div class="mainStory-O5LUA"><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-1WzAu withLink-9GnS6" data-click-position="feed-card-top-story" style="--font-heading:var(--font-condensed);--font-heading-weight:500;--font-subheading:var(--font-condensed);--font-subheading-weight:400"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-uE2ZH"><img loading="eager" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5fec0ac-b5ce-4bec-9168-18323d6551ce/saw1026Benn01.jpg?m=1789396333.263&w=550" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5fec0ac-b5ce-4bec-9168-18323d6551ce/saw1026Benn01.jpg?m=1789396333.263&w=550 550w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5fec0ac-b5ce-4bec-9168-18323d6551ce/saw1026Benn01.jpg?m=1789396333.263&w=825 825w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5fec0ac-b5ce-4bec-9168-18323d6551ce/saw1026Benn01.jpg?m=1789396333.263&w=800 800w" sizes="(max-width: 533.3333333333334px) 100vw, 533.3333333333334px" alt="A white hole and a black hole converging within the eye of a needle behing held by two fingers with planetary imagery scattered all around. Illustration by Neil Webb." fetchpriority="high"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B"><a href="/article/what-are-the-smallest-pieces-of-the-universe/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-6ovwL"><h2 id="heading-:R1me:"><p>The hunt for reality’s smallest pieces</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-bW3SQ"><p>Physicists are searching for what lies underneath the particles we know</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-lcLeM byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-Kgory meta-ii1lF"><span>Jay Bennett</span><time dateTime="2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00">September 15, 2026</time><span>Particle Physics</span></div></article></div></div><aside class="rail-Ae1-M" aria-label="Top Articles"><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-small" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="eager" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8aa6dc1a-70f0-4001-b105-a8da2be79dae/cancer.jpg?m=1790204636.05&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8aa6dc1a-70f0-4001-b105-a8da2be79dae/cancer.jpg?m=1790204636.05&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8aa6dc1a-70f0-4001-b105-a8da2be79dae/cancer.jpg?m=1790204636.05&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8aa6dc1a-70f0-4001-b105-a8da2be79dae/cancer.jpg?m=1790204636.05&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/blood-test-for-multiple-cancers-clears-crucial-hurdle-on-track-to-fda-approval/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:R1kne:"><p>Blood test for multiple cancers clears crucial hurdle on track to FDA approval</p></h2></a></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Jackie Flynn Mogensen</span><time dateTime="2026-09-23T19:08:00-04:00">September 23, 2026</time><span>Cancer</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-small" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="eager" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6b5c12b9-feac-44f0-ae69-b608745c48c9/Taurids.jpg?m=1790193547.83&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6b5c12b9-feac-44f0-ae69-b608745c48c9/Taurids.jpg?m=1790193547.83&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6b5c12b9-feac-44f0-ae69-b608745c48c9/Taurids.jpg?m=1790193547.83&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6b5c12b9-feac-44f0-ae69-b608745c48c9/Taurids.jpg?m=1790193547.83&
67w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/see-the-taurids-light-up-the-fall-sky-with-brilliant-shooting-stars/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:R1l7e:"><p>See the Taurids light up the fall sky with brilliant shooting stars</p></h2></a></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Jackie Flynn Mogensen</span><time dateTime="2026-09-23T15:37:00-04:00">September 23, 2026</time><span>Space & Physics</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-small" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="eager" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/81cde0e4-6d27-45ad-8467-7b3fa8bbc71c/raibo2-running.png?m=1790175464.988&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/81cde0e4-6d27-45ad-8467-7b3fa8bbc71c/raibo2-running.png?m=1790175464.988&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/81cde0e4-6d27-45ad-8467-7b3fa8bbc71c/raibo2-running.png?m=1790175464.988&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/81cde0e4-6d27-45ad-8467-7b3fa8bbc71c/raibo2-running.png?m=1790175464.988&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A robot dog running on a road behind human marathoners."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/watch-a-robot-dog-run-a-marathon-faster-than-the-average-human/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:R1lne:"><p>Watch a robot dog run a marathon faster than the average human</p></h2></a></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Jacek Krywko</span><time dateTime="2026-09-23T11:00:00-04:00">September 23, 2026</time><span>Robotics</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-small" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="eager" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5770498c-4186-4be1-b548-af4926c38693/school-football.jpg?m=1790087779.087&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5770498c-4186-4be1-b548-af4926c38693/school-football.jpg?m=1790087779.087&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5770498c-4186-4be1-b548-af4926c38693/school-football.jpg?m=1790087779.087&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5770498c-4186-4be1-b548-af4926c38693/school-football.jpg?m=1790087779.087&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A child holding an American football"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/is-football-too-dangerous-for-kids-brains-these-scientists-are-racing-to-find-out/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:R1m7e:"><p>Is football too dangerous for kids’ brains?</p></h2></a></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Alexandra Pattillo</span><time dateTime="2026-09-23T06:00:00-04:00">September 23, 2026</time><span>Neuroscience</span></div></article></div><gpt-ad class="hp_native_ux2-7hMfx" unitpath="native" targeting-pos="native-hp-latest" id-format="gpt-native-{}" sizes-from-0="2x2" data-click-position="native-ad-native-hp-latest"></gpt-ad><a href="/latest/" class="viewAllLnk--FX29" data-click-position="homepage-top-fold-view-all-stories">View All Stories</a></aside></section><div class="breakoutContainer-UppO6"><gpt-ad class="ad-Xtmn1" unitpath="injector" style="--margin:0" id-format="gpt-unit-{}" sizes-from-0="320x450,300x250,300x50,320x50,fluid" sizes-from-745="320x450,728x90,300x250,fluid" sizes-from-1000="970x350,970x250,970x90,728x90,300x250,fluid" targeting-pos="hp-1"></gpt-ad></div><section data-click-position="inline-link" class="body-n0vxv prose-mhScE prose-MpLPk mainFeed-PLuBJ"><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc8a5766-1e39-4bb3-baa3-dbadcdeaabf0/RFK-Jr.jpg?m=1790092322.631&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc8a5766-1e39-4bb3-baa3-dbadcdeaabf0/RFK-Jr.jpg?m=1790092322.631&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc8a5766-1e39-4bb3-baa3-dbadcdeaabf0/RFK-Jr.jpg?m=1790092322.631&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc8a5766-1e39-4bb3-baa3-dbadcdeaabf0/RFK-Jr.jpg?m=1790092322.631&
67w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Robert F. Kennedy, Jr."/></figure><div class="kicker--ugFD kicker-RGlz3"><div class="badge-gsTeb">Popular</div></div><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/rfk-jr-is-focusing-attention-on-electromagnetic-fields-heres-what-the-science-says-about-exposure/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd0pq:"><p>RFK, Jr., is focusing attention on electromagnetic fields. Here’s what the science says about exposure</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The research into how electromagnetic waves and radio frequency radiation influence health has been plagued by low-quality studies</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Stephanie Pappas</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T11:00:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>Technology</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy layout-spotlight-WJLO6"><article class="card-DKAVT withLink-9GnS6" data-click-position="feed-card-spotlight-article"><div class="cta-pNSqT spotlightCard-Je8Nt"><div class="hero-c8l0I hero-yLawe"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-gONav"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/645f4896ac36e3f8/original/amoeba_S12.gif?m=1764949957.311&w=550" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/645f4896ac36e3f8/original/amoeba_S12.gif?m=1764949957.311&w=550 550w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/645f4896ac36e3f8/original/amoeba_S12.gif?m=1764949957.311&w=825 825w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/645f4896ac36e3f8/original/amoeba_S12.gif?m=1764949957.311&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Amoeba blobs moving around"/></figure></div><div class="content-RLvgA"><div class="badge-gsTeb">UPDATED</div><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-ui-QB hed-iHDfi"><a href="/article/extremophile-fire-amoeba-pushes-the-boundaries-of-complex-life/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-fquhq"><h3 id="heading-:R1919q:"><p>Newly discovered ‘fire amoeba’ pushes the boundaries of life on Earth</p></h3></a></div><div class="dek-jMf6U"><p>It was thought that complex cells couldn’t survive above a certain temperature, but a tiny amoeba has proven that assumption wrong</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-P74-1 byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-ii1lF"><span>Andrea Thompson</span><time dateTime="2025-12-05T10:15:00-05:00">December 5, 2025</time><span>Microbiology</span></div></div></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1921abe-7a65-4773-be44-d7ebea75170b/coral-reef.jpg?m=1790089505.505&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1921abe-7a65-4773-be44-d7ebea75170b/coral-reef.jpg?m=1790089505.505&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1921abe-7a65-4773-be44-d7ebea75170b/coral-reef.jpg?m=1790089505.505&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1921abe-7a65-4773-be44-d7ebea75170b/coral-reef.jpg?m=1790089505.505&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A rainbow image effect over coral reef."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/this-years-el-nino-just-broke-another-sobering-record/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd1pq:"><p>This year’s El Niño just broke another sobering record</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>“This is probably going to be the superlative El Niño event of our lives so far,” a climate scientist says</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Jackie Flynn Mogensen</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T10:20:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>El Niño</span></div></article></div><div class="breakoutContainer-UppO6"><gpt-ad class="ad-Xtmn1" unitpath="injector" style="--margin:0" id-format="gpt-unit-{}" sizes-from-0="320x450,300x250,300x50,320x50,fluid" sizes-from-745="320x450,728x90,300x250,fluid" sizes-from-1000="970x350,970x250,970x90,728x90,300x250,fluid" targeting-pos="hp-2"></gpt-ad></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f5a85a12-d9e9-4edc-a45f-cc0b170995cf/water-wall.jpg?m=1790009681.499&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f5a85a12-d9e9-4edc-a45f-cc0b170995cf/water-wall.jpg?m=1790009681.499&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f5a85a12-d9e9-4edc-a45f-cc0b170995cf/water-wall.jpg?m=1790009681.499&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f5a85a12-d9e9-4edc-a45f-cc0b170995cf/water-wall.jpg?m=1790009681.499&
67w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A wall of water falls along a cascading, seemingly human-made path."/></figure><div class="kicker--ugFD kicker-RGlz3"><div class="badge-gsTeb">Popular</div></div><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/did-openai-solve-the-wrong-navier-stokes-problem/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd2pq:"><p>Did OpenAI solve the wrong Navier-Stokes problem?</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>OpenAI’s proof seems eligible for a $1-million prize—but only by using a controversial loophole</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Joseph Howlett</span><time dateTime="2026-09-21T12:00:00-04:00">September 21, 2026</time><span>Mathematics</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a30501d4-440e-4827-9a71-3059999af19e/2609_SQ_WED_POOP_MAXING.png?m=1790112827.804&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a30501d4-440e-4827-9a71-3059999af19e/2609_SQ_WED_POOP_MAXING.png?m=1790112827.804&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a30501d4-440e-4827-9a71-3059999af19e/2609_SQ_WED_POOP_MAXING.png?m=1790112827.804&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a30501d4-440e-4827-9a71-3059999af19e/2609_SQ_WED_POOP_MAXING.png?m=1790112827.804&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="An illustration of three cartoon poops on three phone screens"/><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="60" height="60" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 60 60" class="icon-nZ3xJ" style="color:#fff"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#clip0_942_99-:R2539q:)" filter="url(#filter0_d_942_99-:R2539q:)"><path fill="#000" stroke="#000" d="M30 2C14.879 2 2 14.879 2 30s12.879 28 28 28 28-12.879 28-28S45.121 2 30 2z" opacity="0.5"></path><path d="M30.099 17.577h-.1c-7.14 0-12.928 5.787-12.928 12.928v6.962a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.984 2.983h1.99a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.984-2.983v-4.974a2.985 2.985 0 0 0-2.984-2.984h-2.94A10.94 10.94 0 0 1 30 19.564h.084a10.906 10.906 0 0 1 10.815 9.945h-2.942a2.985 2.985 0 0 0-2.983 2.984v4.974a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.983 2.983h1.99a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.984-2.983v-6.962a12.86 12.86 0 0 0-3.743-9.116 12.86 12.86 0 0 0-9.087-3.812zm-8.054 13.922c.55 0 .994.446.994.994v4.974c0 .55-.447.993-.994.993h-1.99a.994.994 0 0 1-.994-.993v-5.968zm18.896 5.968c0 .55-.446.993-.994.993h-1.99a.994.994 0 0 1-.993-.993v-4.974c0-.55.446-.994.993-.994h2.984z"></path><path d="M30 0C13.459 0 0 13.459 0 30s13.459 30 30 30 30-13.459 30-30S46.544 0 30 0m0 57.78C14.682 57.78 2.22 45.319 2.22 30S14.681 2.22 30 2.22 57.78 14.681 57.78 30 45.319 57.78 30 57.78"></path></g><defs><clipPath id="clip0_942_99-:R2539q:"><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 0h60v60H0z"></path></clipPath><filter id="filter0_d_942_99-:R2539q:" width="64" height="64" x="-2" y="-2" color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" filterUnits="userSpaceOnUse"><feFlood flood-opacity="0" result="BackgroundImageFix"></feFlood><feColorMatrix in="SourceAlpha" result="hardAlpha" values="0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 127 0"></feColorMatrix><feOffset></feOffset><feGaussianBlur stdDeviation="1"></feGaussianBlur><feComposite in2="hardAlpha" operator="out"></feComposite><feColorMatrix values="0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.3 0"></feColorMatrix><feBlend in2="BackgroundImageFix" result="effect1_dropShadow_942_99"></feBlend><feBlend in="SourceGraphic" in2="effect1_dropShadow_942_99" result="shape"></feBlend></filter></defs></svg></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/podcast/episode/when-it-comes-to-poop-maxxing-are-you-optimizing-or-obsessing/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd39q:"><p>Is ‘poop maxxing’ the key to health?</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Is it possible to optimize our poop?</p> 68<p></p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><time dateTime="2026-09-23T06:00:00-04:00">September 23, 2026</time><span>Medicine</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/4edea88b-e1e7-47d4-a024-64701af074d7/GettyImages-2262108239-cropped.jpeg?m=1790012229.627&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/4edea88b-e1e7-47d4-a024-64701af074d7/GettyImages-2262108239-cropped.jpeg?m=1790012229.627&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/4edea88b-e1e7-47d4-a024-64701af074d7/GettyImages-2262108239-cropped.jpeg?m=1790012229.627&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/4edea88b-e1e7-47d4-a024-64701af074d7/GettyImages-2262108239-cropped.jpeg?m=1790012229.627&
68w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Wavy purple lines with bits representing pieces of information"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/mathematicians-use-ai-to-find-mysterious-symmetries-solving-decades-old-problem/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd3pq:"><p>Mathematicians use AI to find mysterious symmetries, solving decades-old problem</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>In parallel, a race by amateurs and mathematicians has found all 25,000 cases of one “inverse Galois problem”</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Lyndie Chiou</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T07:00:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>Math</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedBreak-oSHGK"><div class="cta-pNSqT subscribe-stYL1" data-click-position="feed-card-subscribe"><a href="/getsciam/" data-click-position="feed-card-subscribe-landing"><div class="hero-c8l0I hero-LKBjo"><img src="/static/assets/subCTA-Bj95gvdx.jpg" alt="SciAm Subscribe"/></div></a><div class="content-RLvgA"><h3 class="subscribeCta__hdr-hKG6f"><a href="/getsciam/" data-click-position="feed-card-subscribe-landing">Itâs Time to Stand Up for Science</a></h3><div>Our subscribers support more than 180 years of science journalism. You get the facts, and you help us ensure that science is shared with rigor and independence.</div><div><a href="/getsciam/" data-click-position="feed-card-subscribe-landing">Support Science Journalism</a></div></div></div></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d2688c67-142b-467e-b223-046afe2f371e/planetary-boundaries-2026_graphic_leadImage.png?m=1790002817.7&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d2688c67-142b-467e-b223-046afe2f371e/planetary-boundaries-2026_graphic_leadImage.png?m=1790002817.7&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d2688c67-142b-467e-b223-046afe2f371e/planetary-boundaries-2026_graphic_leadImage.png?m=1790002817.7&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d2688c67-142b-467e-b223-046afe2f371e/planetary-boundaries-2026_graphic_leadImage.png?m=1790002817.7&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Cropped image of a bar chart shows that Earth currently transgresses several planetary boundaries."/></figure><div class="kicker--ugFD kicker-RGlz3"><div class="badge-gsTeb">Popular</div></div><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/9-boundaries-keep-earth-livable-weve-breached-7-of-them/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd4pq:"><p>9 ‘boundaries’ keep Earth livable. We’ve breached 7 of them</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Earth’s annual checkup shows that we’re at increasing risk of moving away from the environment we’re adapted to</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Andrea Thompson</span><time dateTime="2026-09-21T11:05:00-04:00">September 21, 2026</time></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/56020619-e511-4a28-8f76-fc1ac9e16db7/Moon-crater.jpeg?m=1790110395.74&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/56020619-e511-4a28-8f76-fc1ac9e16db7/Moon-crater.jpeg?m=1790110395.74&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/56020619-e511-4a28-8f76-fc1ac9e16db7/Moon-crater.jpeg?m=1790110395.74&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/56020619-e511-4a28-8f76-fc1ac9e16db7/Moon-crater.jpeg?m=1790110395.74&
68w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="An overhead, close-up view of McGetchin Crater that was taken on December 5, 2025, by NASAâs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/scientists-discover-largest-new-impact-crater-in-the-solar-system-ever-on-our-moon/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd59q:"><p>Scientists discover largest new impact crater in the solar system ever—on our moon</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The crater, named after geologist and lunar surface expert Tom McGetchin, spans more than two football fields wide</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Adam Kovac</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T16:00:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>Space Exploration</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8874d750-a912-474b-bf8f-4ec181a6170e/hidden-object-PP.jpg?m=1789145644.813&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8874d750-a912-474b-bf8f-4ec181a6170e/hidden-object-PP.jpg?m=1789145644.813&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8874d750-a912-474b-bf8f-4ec181a6170e/hidden-object-PP.jpg?m=1789145644.813&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8874d750-a912-474b-bf8f-4ec181a6170e/hidden-object-PP.jpg?m=1789145644.813&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="An eye on the other side of a keyhole cut out of paper"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/why-mathematicians-are-hiding-research-results-in-zero-knowledge-proofs/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd5pq:"><p>Why mathematicians are suddenly hiding research results</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Google made a major breakthrough in quantum computing. To prevent the results from being misused, the company kept them secret. That backfired</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Manon Bischoff</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T14:00:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>Math</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedBreak-oSHGK"><div class="cta-pNSqT issue-pj4sO" data-cta="issue" data-click-position="feed-card-issue-spotlight"><a href="/issue/sa/2026/10-01/" data-click-position="feed-card-issue-spotlight"><div class="hero-c8l0I cover-HalVh" style="--cta-hero-background:url("https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/0044c66c-a983-43cb-89f4-ff983fc4e797/sa1026Cvr.jpg?m=1788198265.359&w=512&h=677");--cta-hero-bg-inset:-50px;--cta-hero-bg-filter:blur(30px) contrast(0.8) saturate(1.5) brightness(0.8)"><figure style="--w:2438;--h:3225"><img src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/0044c66c-a983-43cb-89f4-ff983fc4e797/sa1026Cvr.jpg?m=1788198265.359&w=512&h=677" alt="Cover of the October 2026 issue of Scientific American, showing a conceptual illustration of a blue question mark." width="2438" height="3225"/></figure></div></a><div class="content-RLvgA"><h3 class="hed-vDTXr" id="heading-:Rp69q:"><a href="/issue/sa/2026/10-01/" data-click-position="feed-card-issue-spotlight">October 2026<!-- --> Issue</a></h3><div class="dek-1DArZ"><p>Some of the biggest questions in science—about the origins of space, life and consciousness—aren't just unanswered. They may be unanswerable. That doesn't stop scientists from trying.</p> 69<p>Elsewhere in the issue: The Desperate Hunt for Dark Matter | The Battle over Elon Musk's Colossus Data Center | Rewriting the History of American Apples</p></div><a href="/issue/sa/2026/10-01/" class="issueLink-Wmgp4" data-click-position="feed-card-issue-spotlight">View Full Contents</a><div class="actions-sOi3U"><a href="/archive/issues/" class="" data-click-position="feed-card-issue-spotlight-archive">View Archive</a><a href="/newsletters/" class="" data-click-position="feed-card-issue-spotlight-newsletters"><svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 22 22" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="margin-right:0.5ch;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle">
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69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Two bunnysuited engineers stand facing away from the camera in a large clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, gazing at flight hardware for the space agency's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/nasa-goddards-shrinking-workforce-could-stifle-future-space-missions-experts-say/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd7pq:"><p>After brutal cuts, can this NASA center still build multibillion-dollar space telescopes?</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>2025 was a brutal year of budget cuts and workforce attrition at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the home base for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Experts worry Goddard—and NASA’s space science—may never recover</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Eric Niiler</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T07:00:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>Space Exploration</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedBreak-oSHGK"><div class="cta-pNSqT newsletter-VYVPj" data-cta="newsletter" id="newsletter" data-click-position="feed-card-newsletter-spotlight"><div class="hero-c8l0I newsletterImgWrap-XQSPM"><img src="/static/assets/today_in_science_mockup-Bp-Vt1F7.png" role="presentation" alt="Today in Science newsletter preview" loading="lazy" class="newsletterImg-cBE8s"/></div><div class="content-RLvgA gridContainer--2lZD"><form class="newsletterForm-yucvs"><h2 class="newsletterMainText-wlflp">Sign up for the <i>Today in Science</i> Newsletter</h2><p class="newsletterDek-Y66yN">Delivered free, every weekday</p><div class="control-pDso6"><span class="input-SZ4ZB"><input required="" class="inputField-cL40E" id="email" type="email" name="email" value=""/><label for="email" class="inputLabel-vm-5Q"><span class="inputLabelContent-Wqagf">Enter your email</span></label></span></div><div class="privacyCheckboxContainer-W9OHG"><input class="input-xOn-Z privacyCheckbox-Owm79" type="checkbox" id="privacy-policy" required="" name="privacy-policy"/><label class="newsletterPrivacyLabel-h-M6p" for="privacy-policy">I agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Scientific American Inc.<!-- --> <a href="/page/privacy-policy/" data-click-position="newsletter-fine-print-signup-privacy">Privacy Policy</a>. <!-- -->We leverage third party services to both verify and deliver email. By providing your email address, you also consent to having the email address shared with third parties for those purposes.</label></div><button class="newsletterBtn-P-9hW baseBtn-ZNLef largeBtn-jOmOm darkGrayBtn-p1Ce6" data-click-position="feed-card-newsletter-spotlight-sign-up" type="submit">Sign Up</button></form><div class="message-BAUWT"><p>Thank you for signing up!</p><div><div class="form-input input-I-Mu8"><span>Â </span><svg width="18" height="14" viewBox="0 0 18 14" fill="none" class="icon-nKdsV"><path d="M6.75 12.25L1.75 7.25L0.25 8.75L6.75 15.25L18.25 3.75L16.75 2.25L6.75 12.25Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></div></div><p><b><a href="/newsletters/" data-click-position="feed-card-newsletter-spotlight-other-newsletters">Check out our other newsletters</a></b></p></div></div></div></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/14eda6c0-48c9-4394-b011-c64f2e7105ac/wild-cat.jpg?m=1789672237.002&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/14eda6c0-48c9-4394-b011-c64f2e7105ac/wild-cat.jpg?m=1789672237.002&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/14eda6c0-48c9-4394-b011-c64f2e7105ac/wild-cat.jpg?m=1789672237.002&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/14eda6c0-48c9-4394-b011-c64f2e7105ac/wild-cat.jpg?m=1789672237.002&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A tilcayo cat prowls in the Bolivian cloud forest."/></figure><div class="kicker--ugFD kicker-RGlz3"><div class="badge-gsTeb">Popular</div></div><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/see-the-first-new-species-of-cat-discovered-in-more-than-a-century-its-adorable/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd8pq:"><p>See the first new species of cat discovered in more than a century—it’s adorable</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The cat is smaller than a house cat but has the spots of a leopard</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Mary Randolph</span><time dateTime="2026-09-17T15:00:00-04:00">September 17, 2026</time><span>Cats</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc288172-e337-453e-87a8-415de05400e0/Parthenon.jpg?m=1789762723.311&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc288172-e337-453e-87a8-415de05400e0/Parthenon.jpg?m=1789762723.311&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc288172-e337-453e-87a8-415de05400e0/Parthenon.jpg?m=1789762723.311&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc288172-e337-453e-87a8-415de05400e0/Parthenon.jpg?m=1789762723.311&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="One side of an ancient Greek ruin with 8 columns and a triangular roof."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/mathematician-reveals-the-truth-behind-the-parthenons-optical-illusion/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd99q:"><p>Mathematician reveals the truth behind the Parthenon’s optical illusion</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The Parthenon sits atop a platform that is curved into a subtle hill shape that some say makes the structure appear straighter—but is that true?</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Emma Gometz</span><time dateTime="2026-09-22T06:00:00-04:00">September 22, 2026</time><span>Architecture</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d89b45a8-0507-430a-98bc-20daef484ddc/Trump-NIH.jpg?m=1790021827.584&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d89b45a8-0507-430a-98bc-20daef484ddc/Trump-NIH.jpg?m=1790021827.584&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d89b45a8-0507-430a-98bc-20daef484ddc/Trump-NIH.jpg?m=1790021827.584&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d89b45a8-0507-430a-98bc-20daef484ddc/Trump-NIH.jpg?m=1790021827.584&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Trump at a podium."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/what-a-trump-order-to-put-political-appointees-in-charge-of-nih-funding-would-mean-for-science/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rd9pq:"><p>What a Trump order to put political appointees in charge of NIH funding would mean for science</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Advocates and scientists warn that giving political appointees power over research grants would “upend” U.S. science</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Jackie Flynn Mogensen</span><time dateTime="2026-09-21T15:58:00-04:00">September 21, 2026</time><span>Politics</span></div></article></div><div class="breakoutContainer-UppO6"><gpt-ad class="ad-Xtmn1" unitpath="injector" style="--margin:0" id-format="gpt-unit-{}" sizes-from-0="320x450,300x250,300x50,320x50,fluid" sizes-from-745="320x450,728x90,300x250,fluid" sizes-from-1000="970x350,970x250,970x90,728x90,300x250,fluid" targeting-pos="hp-3"></gpt-ad></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f2673c4f-d4c4-4b72-ad52-5c200350936b/Car-in-wind-tunnel.jpg?m=1789760014.342&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f2673c4f-d4c4-4b72-ad52-5c200350936b/Car-in-wind-tunnel.jpg?m=1789760014.342&w=300 300w, 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69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Generic car with smoke trails."/></figure><div class="kicker--ugFD kicker-RGlz3"><div class="badge-gsTeb">Popular</div></div><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/what-does-openais-blockbuster-mathematics-navier-stokes-proof-mean-for-the-real-world/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdapq:"><p>What does OpenAI’s blockbuster Navier-Stokes proof mean for the real world?</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>OpenAI’s claimed proof of the Navier-Stokes problem is a mathematical tour de force, but any real-world applications may be years away—if they ever arrive at all</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Adam Kovac</span><time dateTime="2026-09-18T14:00:00-04:00">September 18, 2026</time><span>Mathematics</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/43403fe1-9c5f-4a2e-8936-42ae6a9737d7/2609_SQ_MON_SEPT_21-1.png?m=1789760809.689&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/43403fe1-9c5f-4a2e-8936-42ae6a9737d7/2609_SQ_MON_SEPT_21-1.png?m=1789760809.689&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/43403fe1-9c5f-4a2e-8936-42ae6a9737d7/2609_SQ_MON_SEPT_21-1.png?m=1789760809.689&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/43403fe1-9c5f-4a2e-8936-42ae6a9737d7/2609_SQ_MON_SEPT_21-1.png?m=1789760809.689&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="An illustration of missile system and satellite in space"/><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="60" height="60" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 60 60" class="icon-nZ3xJ" style="color:#fff"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#clip0_942_99-:R25b9q:)" filter="url(#filter0_d_942_99-:R25b9q:)"><path fill="#000" stroke="#000" d="M30 2C14.879 2 2 14.879 2 30s12.879 28 28 28 28-12.879 28-28S45.121 2 30 2z" opacity="0.5"></path><path d="M30.099 17.577h-.1c-7.14 0-12.928 5.787-12.928 12.928v6.962a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.984 2.983h1.99a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.984-2.983v-4.974a2.985 2.985 0 0 0-2.984-2.984h-2.94A10.94 10.94 0 0 1 30 19.564h.084a10.906 10.906 0 0 1 10.815 9.945h-2.942a2.985 2.985 0 0 0-2.983 2.984v4.974a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.983 2.983h1.99a2.985 2.985 0 0 0 2.984-2.983v-6.962a12.86 12.86 0 0 0-3.743-9.116 12.86 12.86 0 0 0-9.087-3.812zm-8.054 13.922c.55 0 .994.446.994.994v4.974c0 .55-.447.993-.994.993h-1.99a.994.994 0 0 1-.994-.993v-5.968zm18.896 5.968c0 .55-.446.993-.994.993h-1.99a.994.994 0 0 1-.993-.993v-4.974c0-.55.446-.994.993-.994h2.984z"></path><path d="M30 0C13.459 0 0 13.459 0 30s13.459 30 30 30 30-13.459 30-30S46.544 0 30 0m0 57.78C14.682 57.78 2.22 45.319 2.22 30S14.681 2.22 30 2.22 57.78 14.681 57.78 30 45.319 57.78 30 57.78"></path></g><defs><clipPath id="clip0_942_99-:R25b9q:"><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 0h60v60H0z"></path></clipPath><filter id="filter0_d_942_99-:R25b9q:" width="64" height="64" x="-2" y="-2" color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" filterUnits="userSpaceOnUse"><feFlood flood-opacity="0" result="BackgroundImageFix"></feFlood><feColorMatrix in="SourceAlpha" result="hardAlpha" values="0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 127 0"></feColorMatrix><feOffset></feOffset><feGaussianBlur stdDeviation="1"></feGaussianBlur><feComposite in2="hardAlpha" operator="out"></feComposite><feColorMatrix values="0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.3 0"></feColorMatrix><feBlend in2="BackgroundImageFix" result="effect1_dropShadow_942_99"></feBlend><feBlend in="SourceGraphic" in2="effect1_dropShadow_942_99" result="shape"></feBlend></filter></defs></svg></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/podcast/episode/space-weapons-ai-safety-concerns-and-the-epas-rollback-of-power-plant-emission-rules/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdb9q:"><p>U.S. space weapons, AI regulation debates and the EPA’s carbon emissions rollback </p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>From orbital weapons to AI risks and weaker emissions rules</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><time dateTime="2026-09-21T06:00:00-04:00">September 21, 2026</time><span>Warfare</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6dc9687b-6aab-4dcb-bb6d-d6c2cf78c083/Nancy-Grace-Roman.jpg?m=1789747199.426&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6dc9687b-6aab-4dcb-bb6d-d6c2cf78c083/Nancy-Grace-Roman.jpg?m=1789747199.426&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6dc9687b-6aab-4dcb-bb6d-d6c2cf78c083/Nancy-Grace-Roman.jpg?m=1789747199.426&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6dc9687b-6aab-4dcb-bb6d-d6c2cf78c083/Nancy-Grace-Roman.jpg?m=1789747199.426&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="This test image captures the very first photons of starlight to reach the Wide Field Instrument on NASAâs Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/nasas-nancy-grace-roman-telescope-glimpses-its-first-cosmic-light/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdbpq:"><p>NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope glimpses its first cosmic light</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The space telescope is set to reveal thousands of new exoplanets and scour the universe for signs of dark matter and energy</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Adam Kovac</span><time dateTime="2026-09-18T10:45:00-04:00">September 18, 2026</time><span>Space Exploration</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedBreak-oSHGK"><div data-cta="discussions" class="discussionCTA-lgi88" data-click-position="feed-card-discussion-spotlight"><h2><a href="/discussions/" data-click-position="feed-card-discussion-spotlight-view-all">Discussions</a></h2><p class="quote-H-AEm">â<!-- -->Although living forever sounds tempting, if every human were to live forever, the earth would be unable to sustain the population and life would become survival instead of comfortable living.<!-- -->â<br/>â <!-- -->Christopher Alden</p><ul class="links-8zTe5"><li><a href="/discussions/how-long-should-humans-live/" data-click-position="feed-card-discussion-spotlight-single-discussion">How long should humans live?</a></li><li><a href="/discussions/" data-click-position="feed-card-discussion-spotlight-view-all">View all Discussions</a></li></ul></div></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/549d2cd961968c90/original/GettyImages-2211325360_web.jpeg?m=1789760338.591&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/549d2cd961968c90/original/GettyImages-2211325360_web.jpeg?m=1789760338.591&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/549d2cd961968c90/original/GettyImages-2211325360_web.jpeg?m=1789760338.591&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/549d2cd961968c90/original/GettyImages-2211325360_web.jpeg?m=1789760338.591&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Red, purple and blue cartoon drawings of people with speech bubbles"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/why-human-language-may-be-intertwined-with-fire/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdcpq:"><p>Why human language may be intertwined with fire</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Understanding how human language evolved is one of the hardest problems in science to unpick</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Hannah Little, The Conversation</span></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><time dateTime="2026-09-20T06:00:00-04:00">September 20, 2026</time><span>Evolution</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b0fbb0f2-a68b-4d87-8ca9-17485abb1740/brain-illustration.jpg?m=1787775314.33&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b0fbb0f2-a68b-4d87-8ca9-17485abb1740/brain-illustration.jpg?m=1787775314.33&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b0fbb0f2-a68b-4d87-8ca9-17485abb1740/brain-illustration.jpg?m=1787775314.33&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b0fbb0f2-a68b-4d87-8ca9-17485abb1740/brain-illustration.jpg?m=1787775314.33&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="An illustration of a brain with regions shown in different colors."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/could-brain-inspired-computers-run-on-the-same-amount-of-power-as-a-human-brain/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdd9q:"><p>Could brain-inspired computers run on the same amount of power as a human brain?</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The human brain uses about the same amount of wattage as a lightbulb</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Aysha Asif Riaz, The Conversation US</span></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><time dateTime="2026-09-19T06:00:00-04:00">September 19, 2026</time><span>Mind & Brain</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5100ed7-113b-4ed8-8d5f-54e3dcb9056a/iss036e035632.jpeg?m=1789745011.976&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5100ed7-113b-4ed8-8d5f-54e3dcb9056a/iss036e035632.jpeg?m=1789745011.976&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5100ed7-113b-4ed8-8d5f-54e3dcb9056a/iss036e035632.jpeg?m=1789745011.976&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5100ed7-113b-4ed8-8d5f-54e3dcb9056a/iss036e035632.jpeg?m=1789745011.976&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Lake Ontario in various shades of blue, surrounded by brownish land, as seen from above."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/what-changing-lake-ontario-to-lake-america-means-for-weather-forecasts/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rddpq:"><p>What changing ‘Lake Ontario’ to ‘Lake America’ means for weather forecasts</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The National Weather Service is speeding ahead with changing the name of the Great Lake</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Andrea Thompson</span><time dateTime="2026-09-18T10:38:00-04:00">September 18, 2026</time><span>Weather</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedBreak-oSHGK"><div class="cta-pNSqT game-etxTd" data-cta="games" data-click-position="feed-card-games-spotlight"><a href="/games/expert-sudoku/" data-click-position="feed-card-games-spotlight-landing"><div class="hero-c8l0I gameCta_hero-FgtVt" style="--cta-hero-background:#95cbb4"><img src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/463d7d2f88315d8e/webimage-gamesExperiments-sudoku.png?m=1745420878.447" alt="SciAm Games" class="gameCta_heroimage-EY9J7"/></div></a><div class="content-RLvgA"><h2 class="ctaLogoHeader-CNo4L"><a href="/games/"><span class="sr-only">SciAm Games</span><img src="/static/assets/sciam-games-CcSJ307s.png" alt="Sciam Games Logo"/></a></h2><h3 class="gameCta_header-T-HQp">Expert Sudoku</h3><div><p>Play Expert Sudoku puzzles daily!</p></div><div><a href="/games/expert-sudoku/" data-click-position="feed-card-games-spotlight-landing">Play now</a></div></div></div></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5cdfeeaa-72d9-4173-8c06-993b82ca1469/saw070826Siss01.jpg?m=1789758133.289&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5cdfeeaa-72d9-4173-8c06-993b82ca1469/saw070826Siss01.jpg?m=1789758133.289&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5cdfeeaa-72d9-4173-8c06-993b82ca1469/saw070826Siss01.jpg?m=1789758133.289&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5cdfeeaa-72d9-4173-8c06-993b82ca1469/saw070826Siss01.jpg?m=1789758133.289&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A large, white robotic arm works inside a glass enclosure, surrounded by trays of capped sample jars."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/why-ai-is-speeding-up-scientific-research-but-not-lab-experiments/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdepq:"><p>AI is giving scientists more ideas than they can test</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>A new report from Google, Google DeepMind and M.I.T. finds that researchers are using AI—a lot. It’s just not helping as much in the lab</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Peter Hall</span><time dateTime="2026-09-18T14:20:00-04:00">September 18, 2026</time><span>Artificial Intelligence</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a29e8029-8c6c-4341-97ac-b4228bda0d34/dolphin-puke-still.jpg?m=1789674410.062&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a29e8029-8c6c-4341-97ac-b4228bda0d34/dolphin-puke-still.jpg?m=1789674410.062&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a29e8029-8c6c-4341-97ac-b4228bda0d34/dolphin-puke-still.jpg?m=1789674410.062&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a29e8029-8c6c-4341-97ac-b4228bda0d34/dolphin-puke-still.jpg?m=1789674410.062&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A still of a dolphin making a fish puke"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/this-dolphin-terrifies-fish-until-they-puke-and-then-it-eats-their-upchuck/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdf9q:"><p>This dolphin terrifies fish until they puke—and then eats it</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Don’t have the energy to catch your own meal? This dolphin has a gross solution</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Gennaro Tomma</span><time dateTime="2026-09-18T07:00:00-04:00">September 18, 2026</time><span>Animals</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/038108d0-0bd8-41ac-be94-7a8e31149057/dog-brains.jpg?m=1789660367.525&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/038108d0-0bd8-41ac-be94-7a8e31149057/dog-brains.jpg?m=1789660367.525&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/038108d0-0bd8-41ac-be94-7a8e31149057/dog-brains.jpg?m=1789660367.525&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/038108d0-0bd8-41ac-be94-7a8e31149057/dog-brains.jpg?m=1789660367.525&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A dog "smiling" up at the camera"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/what-your-dog-really-thinks-about-you/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdfpq:"><p>What your dog really thinks about the world</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Science is helping to peel back the layers of how dogs process the world around them</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Mary Randolph</span><time dateTime="2026-09-17T12:15:00-04:00">September 17, 2026</time><span>Dogs</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedBreak-oSHGK"><div class="cta-pNSqT travel-E3Cyf" data-cta="travel" data-click-position="feed-card-travel-spotlight"><div class="hero-c8l0I tripImage-XCXEZ"><a href="/travel/trips/2027-winter-in-yellowstone/"><img src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a0ecebcd-58c7-4d84-b7d6-1f7b2c13d063/Yellowstone-in-Winter-hero.jpg?m=1779982284.335&w=800" alt="Grey wolf in winter" loading="lazy"/></a></div><div class="content-RLvgA"><h2 class="ctaLogoHeader-CNo4L"><a href="/travel/"><span class="sr-only">Scientific American Travel</span><img src="/static/assets/sciam-travel-ZJz4ECv4.png" alt="SciAm Travel Logo"/></a></h2><h3>Winter in Yellowstone</h3><div><p>with Andrea Thompson</p></div><div><a href="/travel/trips/2027-winter-in-yellowstone/" class="button">Learn More</a></div></div></div></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/143cd15a-7121-46cf-9ed6-319479b29a3f/thermal-t-rex.jpg?m=1789579870.962&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/143cd15a-7121-46cf-9ed6-319479b29a3f/thermal-t-rex.jpg?m=1789579870.962&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/143cd15a-7121-46cf-9ed6-319479b29a3f/thermal-t-rex.jpg?m=1789579870.962&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/143cd15a-7121-46cf-9ed6-319479b29a3f/thermal-t-rex.jpg?m=1789579870.962&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="T. rex skeleton"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/t-rex-was-as-warm-blooded-as-humans-new-study-finds/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdgpq:"><p><i>T. rex </i>was as warm-blooded as humans, new study finds</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>The dinosaurs were once considered reptilian, but the new results suggest we may need to rethink their evolution</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Mary Randolph</span><time dateTime="2026-09-16T14:00:00-04:00">September 16, 2026</time><span>Dinosaurs</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/cfe95dae-253e-457b-94f5-3e5bff91c591/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?m=1789495049.503&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/cfe95dae-253e-457b-94f5-3e5bff91c591/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?m=1789495049.503&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/cfe95dae-253e-457b-94f5-3e5bff91c591/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?m=1789495049.503&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/cfe95dae-253e-457b-94f5-3e5bff91c591/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?m=1789495049.503&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A middle-aged man wearing eyeglasses and a suit is seen in profile speaking at a lectern in a darkened auditorium."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/the-u-s-has-weapons-in-space/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdh9q:"><p>It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>A high-ranking official announced yesterday that the U.S. military has deployed weapons into orbit to counter threats from Russia and China</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Mary Randolph</span><time dateTime="2026-09-15T13:10:00-04:00">September 15, 2026</time><span>Warfare</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e9e167cc-4ba2-4930-95e0-88bd9b6d2c53/Centenarian.jpg?m=1789586303.052&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e9e167cc-4ba2-4930-95e0-88bd9b6d2c53/Centenarian.jpg?m=1789586303.052&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e9e167cc-4ba2-4930-95e0-88bd9b6d2c53/Centenarian.jpg?m=1789586303.052&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e9e167cc-4ba2-4930-95e0-88bd9b6d2c53/Centenarian.jpg?m=1789586303.052&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A 103-year-old Japanese woman poses for a photo in her home."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/japan-just-hit-a-new-longevity-milestone/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdhpq:"><p>Japan just hit a new longevity milestone</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>More than 100,000 people in the country are over 100 years old</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Mary Randolph</span><time dateTime="2026-09-16T14:49:00-04:00">September 16, 2026</time><span>Aging</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/30ee59af-1614-40d4-aa40-a72908f52bd7/saw1026Bayne01.jpg?m=1788448561.454&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/30ee59af-1614-40d4-aa40-a72908f52bd7/saw1026Bayne01.jpg?m=1788448561.454&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/30ee59af-1614-40d4-aa40-a72908f52bd7/saw1026Bayne01.jpg?m=1788448561.454&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/30ee59af-1614-40d4-aa40-a72908f52bd7/saw1026Bayne01.jpg?m=1788448561.454&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Colorful rectangular lenses lined up in a row with colors going from pink, orange, yellow, green, blue to purple. Illustration by DTAN Studio"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/what-if-consciousness-isnt-real/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdi9q:"><p>What if ‘consciousness’ isn’t real?</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>Our understanding of consciousness could be fundamentally wrong</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Tim Bayne</span><time dateTime="2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00">September 15, 2026</time><span>Consciousness</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/aa531cd7-0f51-4ee2-93bf-676c480125cb/saw1026McKe01.jpg?m=1788461288.529&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/aa531cd7-0f51-4ee2-93bf-676c480125cb/saw1026McKe01.jpg?m=1788461288.529&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/aa531cd7-0f51-4ee2-93bf-676c480125cb/saw1026McKe01.jpg?m=1788461288.529&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/aa531cd7-0f51-4ee2-93bf-676c480125cb/saw1026McKe01.jpg?m=1788461288.529&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="An apple tree photographed at night."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/how-apple-detectives-solved-the-mystery-of-an-ancient-tree-and-rewrote-the-history-of-fruit/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdipq:"><p>How apple detectives solved the mystery of an ancient tree—and rewrote the history of fruit</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>And how they might have helped save the future of American apples</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Maryn McKenna</span><time dateTime="2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00">September 15, 2026</time><span>Agriculture</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b945bf3e-e52a-4a8a-a66d-5a33c59d3442/GettyImages-1950772724-cropped.jpeg?m=1789578301.64&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b945bf3e-e52a-4a8a-a66d-5a33c59d3442/GettyImages-1950772724-cropped.jpeg?m=1789578301.64&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b945bf3e-e52a-4a8a-a66d-5a33c59d3442/GettyImages-1950772724-cropped.jpeg?m=1789578301.64&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b945bf3e-e52a-4a8a-a66d-5a33c59d3442/GettyImages-1950772724-cropped.jpeg?m=1789578301.64&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A series of green overlapping elliptical rings"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/anthropics-ai-steals-mathematicians-record-for-most-complicated-curve/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdj9q:"><p>AI steals mathematicians’ record for most complicated curve</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>A search for the most complex elliptic curves has taken mathematicians years. Claude beat the record in days</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Manon Bischoff</span><time dateTime="2026-09-16T07:00:00-04:00">September 16, 2026</time><span>Math</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/fe07d07b-29dc-49ab-b743-d185dd15f5ac/Taenia-solium.jpg?m=1789146850.3&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/fe07d07b-29dc-49ab-b743-d185dd15f5ac/Taenia-solium.jpg?m=1789146850.3&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/fe07d07b-29dc-49ab-b743-d185dd15f5ac/Taenia-solium.jpg?m=1789146850.3&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/fe07d07b-29dc-49ab-b743-d185dd15f5ac/Taenia-solium.jpg?m=1789146850.3&
69w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="Taenia solium Scolex Showing Armed Rostellum Double Crown Hooks and Four Suckers Under Microscopy"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/what-caused-this-womans-hallucinations-doctors-reveal-an-infestation-of-brain-worms/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdjpq:"><p>Parasitic worms aren’t just a gut problem—they can infest the brain, too</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>After months of headaches and visual hallucinations, a woman was finally revealed to have brain cysts filled with tapeworm larvae</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Rachel Melegrito</span><time dateTime="2026-09-14T06:00:00-04:00">September 14, 2026</time><span>Medicine</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/ff6dc51d-63fd-4049-9791-c8df5aba0cd3/pushing-off-the-boot.jpg?m=1789290314.986&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/ff6dc51d-63fd-4049-9791-c8df5aba0cd3/pushing-off-the-boot.jpg?m=1789290314.986&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/ff6dc51d-63fd-4049-9791-c8df5aba0cd3/pushing-off-the-boot.jpg?m=1789290314.986&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/ff6dc51d-63fd-4049-9791-c8df5aba0cd3/pushing-off-the-boot.jpg?m=1789290314.986&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A cartoon human tries to resist a blue tesselated boot from stepping on them."/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/25-winners-of-maths-nobel-prize-decry-the-ai-invasion-of-their-discipline/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdk9q:"><p>25 winners of math’s ‘Nobel Prize’ decry the AI invasion of their discipline</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>A new declaration from winners of the Fields Medal reflects many mathematicians’ growing alarm over a “severe misalignment” between the tech industry and their field a week after AI toppled one of math’s biggest open problems</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Joseph Howlett</span><time dateTime="2026-09-14T11:00:00-04:00">September 14, 2026</time><span>Mathematics</span></div></article></div><div data-card-wrapper="true" class="feedItem-MLWDy"><article class="card-DKAVT card-3VAB0 withLink-9GnS6 layout-normal" data-click-position="feed-card-article"><figure class="figure-EvD4V figure-YTawo"><img loading="lazy" src="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59b61d78-1dcd-401d-8fcc-18948417d4ec/Measles-Bangladesh.jpg?m=1789673088.492&w=300" srcSet="https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59b61d78-1dcd-401d-8fcc-18948417d4ec/Measles-Bangladesh.jpg?m=1789673088.492&w=300 300w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59b61d78-1dcd-401d-8fcc-18948417d4ec/Measles-Bangladesh.jpg?m=1789673088.492&w=450 450w, https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59b61d78-1dcd-401d-8fcc-18948417d4ec/Measles-Bangladesh.jpg?m=1789673088.492&w=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" alt="A child with measles is treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali on March 30, 2026 in Dhaka, Bangladesh"/></figure><div class="hed-7UW9B hed-Zp1V-"><a href="/article/why-bangladeshs-measles-outbreak-is-a-cautionary-tale-for-the-u-s/" class="cardLink-Kf2Ro cardLink-eGVr4"><h2 id="heading-:Rdkpq:"><p>This is what an out-of-control measles outbreak looks like</p></h2></a></div><div class="dek-wjiYE dek-xhBqF"><p>As Bangladesh faces a deadly measles outbreak, experts assess what it would take for the U.S. to reach similar levels</p></div><div class="byline-jZvTT byline-7hw2P byline-HIzg9"></div><div class="meta-55nGQ meta-lMeRT meta-ii1lF"><span class="authors-P6Sld">Lauren J. Young</span>
69<time dateTime="2026-09-18T06:00:00-04:00">September 18, 2026</time><span>Public Health</span></div></article></div></section><a class="viewAllBtn-Kj3ut baseBtn-ZNLef darkGrayBtn-p1Ce6" href="/latest/" data-click-position="homepage-mainfeed-view-all-stories">View All Stories</a></div></main><div role="complementary" class="footerSubscribe-012p2"><div class="footerFlexContainer-0ScgW footerContainer-hCsAY"><div class="footerLinks-rREU2"><p class="footerText-awS5B">Subscribe to <i>Scientific American</i> to learn and share the most exciting discoveries, innovations and ideas shaping our world today.</p><a class="footerLink-Nwuke" href="/getsciam/" data-click-position="site-footer-getsciam-1">Subscription Plans</a><a class="footerLink-Nwuke" href="/getsciam/gift/" data-click-position="site-footer-gift-2">Give a Gift Subscription</a></div></div></div><footer class="footer-MZc54"><div class="grid-geZtp footerContainer-hCsAY footerLinksModule-4Ntvp"><div><ul class="footerSmallLinkList-Rts4U"><li class="footerSmallLinkHdr-NHC7h"><b>Explore SciAm</b></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/latest-issue/" data-click-position="site-footer-latest-issue-3">Latest Issue</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/" data-click-position="site-footer-latest-stories-4">News</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/opinion/" data-click-position="site-footer-opinion-5">Opinion</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/newsletters/" data-click-position="site-footer-newsletter__signup-6">Newsletters</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/podcasts/" data-click-position="site-footer-podcasts-7">Podcasts</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/games/" data-click-position="site-footer-games-8">Games</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/travel/" data-click-position="site-footer-travel-9">Travel</a></li></ul></div><div><ul class="footerSmallLinkList-Rts4U"><li class="footerSmallLink-fdAui footerLinkHeaderBorder-1bLgv footerLinkHeader-4wIZT"><b>Company</b></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/about-scientific-american/" data-click-position="site-footer-about-10">About</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/pressroom/" data-click-position="site-footer-press-room-11">Press Room</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/frequently-asked-questions/subscriptions-products/" data-click-position="site-footer-faq-12">FAQs</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/contact-us/customer-service/" data-click-position="site-footer-contact-13">Contact Us</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/standards-and-ethics/" data-click-position="site-footer-standards-and-ethics-14">Standards & Ethics</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/international/" data-click-position="site-footer-international-edition-15">International Editions</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/mediakit/" data-click-position="site-footer-advertise-16">Advertise</a></li></ul></div><div><ul class="footerSmallLinkList-Rts4U"><li class="footerSmallLink-fdAui footerLinkHeaderBorder-1bLgv footerLinkHeader-4wIZT"><b>More</b></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/accessibility-statement/" data-click-position="site-footer-accessibility-statement-17">Accessibility</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/terms-of-use/" data-click-position="site-footer-terms-18">Terms of Use</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/privacy-policy/" data-click-position="site-footer-privacy-policy-19">Privacy Policy</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/us-state-privacy-rights/" data-click-position="site-footer-us-state-privacy-20">US State Privacy Rights</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="#" data-click-position="site-footer-do-not-sell-my-data-21">Use of cookies/Do not sell my data</a></li><li><a class="footerSmallLink-fdAui" href="/page/return-refund-policy/" data-click-position="site-footer-return-refund-22">Return & Refund Policy</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="footerContainer-hCsAY"><div class="footerCopyright-PAgjL"><p>Scientific American is affiliated with LabX Media Group, which owns or has commercial relations with other B2B and B2C brands (many of them can be found at<!-- --> <a href="https://www.labxmediagroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.labxmediagroup.com</a>). Scientific American maintains a strict policy of editorial independence in reporting developments in science to our readers.</p><p>© <!-- -->2026<!-- --> SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN INC.<br/>ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div><div class="footerSocialMedia-fr56A"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScientificAmerican" target="_blank" alt="Facebook link" title="Facebook" data-click-position="site-footer-facebook-23"><svg class="footerSocialIcon-jED2v" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 320 512">
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72/p>","image_credits":"Tom Rogers/500px/Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-21T12:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-21T12:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"2WF5WANxJsphgeMPALcUhs":{"id":1312119,"contentful_id":"2WF5WANxJsphgeMPALcUhs","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"9 âboundariesâ keep Earth livable. Weâve breached 7 of them","display_title":"<p>9 ‘boundaries’ keep Earth livable. We’ve breached 7 of them</p>","slug":"9-boundaries-keep-earth-livable-weve-breached-7-of-them","url":"/article/9-boundaries-keep-earth-livable-weve-breached-7-of-them/","summary":"<p>Earth’s annual checkup shows that we’re at increasing risk of moving away from the environment we’re adapted to</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"7A5A6251-8EDA-4AEE-9A275F436FEE35C0","url":"/author/andrea-thompson/","contentful_id":"4pgUizu4p9tV2132WJeneo","name":"Andrea Thompson","slug":"andrea-thompson","biography":"<p><b>Andrea Thompson</b> is senior editor for Earth and environment at <i>Scientific American,</i> covering the environment, energy and Earth sciences. She has been covering these topics for nearly two decades. Prior to joining <i>Scientific American</i>, she was a senior writer covering climate science at <i>Climate Central</i> and a reporter and editor at <i>Live Science</i>, where she primarily covered earth science and the environment. She has moderated panels, including as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Media Zone, and appeared in radio and television interviews on major networks. She holds a graduate degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a B.S. and an M.S. in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Follow Thompson on Bluesky <a href=\\"https://bsky.app/profile/andreatweather.bsky.social\\">@andreatweather.bsky.social</a></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d2688c67-142b-467e-b223-046afe2f371e/planetary-boundaries-2026_graphic_leadImage.png?m=1790002817.7","image_width":3750,"image_height":2500,"image_alt_text":"Cropped image of a bar chart shows that Earth currently transgresses several planetary boundaries.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"Amanda Montañez;
72 Source: Planetary Health Check 2026. Planetary Boundaries Science Lab, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, 2026 (data)","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-21T11:05:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-21T11:05:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":null,"subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"7py2RJCT2HybysKqa5FMkq":{"id":1312118,"contentful_id":"7py2RJCT2HybysKqa5FMkq","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"COVID cases are on the riseâhereâs how to stay healthy this winter","display_title":"<p>COVID cases are on the rise—here’s what you need to know</p>","slug":"covid-cases-are-on-the-rise-heres-how-to-stay-healthy-this-winter","url":"/article/covid-cases-are-on-the-rise-heres-how-to-stay-healthy-this-winter/","summary":"<p>The virus is currently most prevalent in California and the southern U.S., but experts expect it to go national in the coming weeks</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"888A369F-D3E7-4409-83CF66A5473A9DD2","url":"/author/meghan-bartels/","contentful_id":"1BFKjWscoJuKOwbJGM1osa","name":"Meghan Bartels","slug":"meghan-bartels","biography":"<p><b>Meghan Bartels</b> is a science journalist based in New York City. She was previously a senior reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>. Before that she spent more than four years as a writer and editor at Space.com, as well as nearly a year as a science reporter at <i>Newsweek,</i> where she focused on space and Earth science. Her writing has also appeared in <i>Audubon, Nautilus, Astronomy</i> and <i>Smithsonian,</i> among other publications. She attended Georgetown University and earned a master’s degree in journalism at New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/18a2453f92361e4a/original/GettyImages-1215741742_WEB.jpg?m=1721848188.452","image_width":8100,"image_height":5400,"image_alt_text":"Covid virus illustration in puzzle pieces.","image_caption":"<p>Researchers are gaining key insights into the ways that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can lead to long COVID symptoms.</p>","image_credits":"<p>smartboy10/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-21T11:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-21T11:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Public Health","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"88Rk8JziY7kqhy4MRKfA9":{"id":1312104,"contentful_id":"88Rk8JziY7kqhy4MRKfA9","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"See the first new species of cat discovered in more than a centuryâitâs adorable","display_title":"<p>See the first new species of cat discovered in more than a century—it’s adorable</p>","slug":"see-the-first-new-species-of-cat-discovered-in-more-than-a-century-its-adorable","url":"/article/see-the-first-new-species-of-cat-discovered-in-more-than-a-century-its-adorable/","summary":"<p>The cat is smaller than a house cat but has the spots of a leopard</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/mary-randolph/","contentful_id":"8D0pDkMSmpiE0w9g1uz4O","name":"Mary Randolph","slug":"mary-randolph","biography":"<p><b>Mary Randolph</b> is a news intern at <i>Scientific American </i>based in New York. Her work has been featured by <i>Smithsonian Magazine, </i>Pew Research Center, the Local News Initiative and various local newsrooms.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Intern","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/14eda6c0-48c9-4394-b011-c64f2e7105ac/wild-cat.jpg?m=1789672237.002","image_width":7322,"image_height":4881,"image_alt_text":"A tilcayo cat prowls in the Bolivian cloud forest.","image_caption":"<p>The tilcayo is the first new species of wildcat to be identified in more than a century.</p>
72","image_credits":"Fernando Faciole/National Geographic","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-17T15:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-17T15:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Cats","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"1bp9KLfnbUlbIDyHjWhHT7":{"id":1312127,"contentful_id":"1bp9KLfnbUlbIDyHjWhHT7","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Why mathematicians are hiding research results in zero-knowledge proofs","display_title":"<p>Why mathematicians are suddenly hiding research results</p>","slug":"why-mathematicians-are-hiding-research-results-in-zero-knowledge-proofs","url":"/article/why-mathematicians-are-hiding-research-results-in-zero-knowledge-proofs/","summary":"<p>Google made a major breakthrough in quantum computing. To prevent the results from being misused, the company kept them secret. That backfired</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"E56F4A00-8C90-40A8-ACD3661882EF0FE1","url":"/author/manon-bischoff/","contentful_id":"2HJpRuFW1UbitGipdG1k8r","name":"Manon Bischoff","slug":"manon-bischoff","biography":"<p><b>Manon Bischoff</b> is a theoretical physicist and an editor at <i>Spektrum der Wissenschaft,</i> the German-language sister publication of <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Spektrum","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8874d750-a912-474b-bf8f-4ec181a6170e/hidden-object-PP.jpg?m=1789145644.813","image_width":7952,"image_height":5304,"image_alt_text":"An eye on the other side of a keyhole cut out of paper","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"MirageC / Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T14:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T14:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Math","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"3YJmBLmPTZz5SqbMKDiiDb":{"id":1312123,"contentful_id":"3YJmBLmPTZz5SqbMKDiiDb","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Mathematicians use AI to find mysterious symmetries, solving decades-old problem","display_title":"<p>Mathematicians use AI to find mysterious symmetries, solving decades-old problem</p>","slug":"mathematicians-use-ai-to-find-mysterious-symmetries-solving-decades-old-problem","url":"/article/mathematicians-use-ai-to-find-mysterious-symmetries-solving-decades-old-problem/","summary":"<p>In parallel, a race by amateurs and mathematicians has found all 25,000 cases of one “inverse Galois problem”</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"531521D7-7686-41C2-B1F7261B0706390A","url":"/author/lyndie-chiou/","contentful_id":"5jn7sUZhup6sjCdt1DUkVQ","name":"Lyndie Chiou","slug":"lyndie-chiou","biography":"<p><b>Lyndie Chiou</b> is a scientist, a science writer and founder of <a href=\\"https://zerodivzero.com/\\">ZeroDivZero</a>, a science conference website. Her writing has also appeared in <i>Sky & Telescope</i>. Follow her on X <a href=\\"https://twitter.com/lyndie_chiou/\\">@lyndie_chiou</a></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/4edea88b-e1e7-47d4-a024-64701af074d7/GettyImages-2262108239-cropped.jpeg?m=1790012229.627","image_width":3000,"image_height":2000,"image_alt_text":"Wavy purple lines with bits representing pieces of information","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"Flavio Coelho / Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Math","subtype":"enterprise","column":null,"page_number":null},"6YPiS6HDDkHvMoufxADt8k":{"id":1312113,"contentful_id":"6YPiS6HDDkHvMoufxADt8k","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What does OpenAIâs blockbuster mathematics proof mean for the real world?","display_title":"<p>What does OpenAI’s blockbuster Navier-Stokes proof mean for the real world?</p>","slug":"what-does-openais-blockbuster-mathematics-navier-stokes-proof-mean-for-the-real-world","url":"/article/what-does-openais-blockbuster-mathematics-navier-stokes-proof-mean-for-the-real-world/","summary":"<p>OpenAI’s claimed proof of the Navier-Stokes problem is a mathematical tour de force, but any real-world applications may be years away—if they ever arrive at all</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/adam-kovac/","contentful_id":"2NdA5dLkUPbqntFwKQw0Bw","name":"Adam Kovac","slug":"adam-kovac","biography":"<p><b>Adam Kovac</b> is a breaking news reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f2673c4f-d4c4-4b72-ad52-5c200350936b/Car-in-wind-tunnel.jpg?m=1789760014.342","image_width":5000,"image_height":2813,"image_alt_text":"Generic car with smoke trails.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"
72<p>Getty Images/Viaframe</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-18T14:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-18T14:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"2wO6Stcm5OmfB9TgalCGTg":{"id":1312128,"contentful_id":"2wO6Stcm5OmfB9TgalCGTg","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Scientists discover largest new impact crater in the solar system everâon our moon","display_title":"<p>Scientists discover largest new impact crater in the solar system ever—on our moon</p>","slug":"scientists-discover-largest-new-impact-crater-in-the-solar-system-ever-on-our-moon","url":"/article/scientists-discover-largest-new-impact-crater-in-the-solar-system-ever-on-our-moon/","summary":"<p>The crater, named after geologist and lunar surface expert Tom McGetchin, spans more than two football fields wide</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/adam-kovac/","contentful_id":"2NdA5dLkUPbqntFwKQw0Bw","name":"Adam Kovac","slug":"adam-kovac","biography":"<p><b>Adam Kovac</b> is a breaking news reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/56020619-e511-4a28-8f76-fc1ac9e16db7/Moon-crater.jpeg?m=1790110395.74","image_width":1024,"image_height":1023,"image_alt_text":"An overhead, close-up view of McGetchin Crater that was taken on December 5, 2025, by NASAâs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.","image_caption":"<p>An overhead, close-up view of McGetchin Crater that was taken on December 5, 2025, by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.</p>","image_credits":"<p>NASA Goddard/Intuitive Machines/Robert Wagner</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T16:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T16:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Space Exploration","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"5j3fjh98mJ9skbShdqJR5S":{"id":1312124,"contentful_id":"5j3fjh98mJ9skbShdqJR5S","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"This yearâs El Niño just broke another sobering record","display_title":"<p>This year’s El Niño just broke another sobering record</p>","slug":"this-years-el-nino-just-broke-another-sobering-record","url":"/article/this-years-el-nino-just-broke-another-sobering-record/","summary":"<p>“This is probably going to be the superlative El Niño event of our lives so far,” a climate scientist says</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/jackie-flynn-mogensen/","contentful_id":"51fU4EzamD1hiuGuw3mP6e","name":"Jackie Flynn Mogensen","slug":"jackie-flynn-mogensen","biography":"<p><b>Jackie Flynn Mogensen</b> is a breaking news reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>. Before joining <i>SciAm,</i> she was a science reporter at <i>Mother Jones, </i>where she received a National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications in 2024. Mogensen holds a master’s degree in environmental communication and a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences from Stanford University. She is based in New York City.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1921abe-7a65-4773-be44-d7ebea75170b/coral-reef.jpg?m=1790089505.505","image_width":2000,"image_height":1500,"image_alt_text":"A rainbow image effect over coral reef.","image_caption":"<p>An aerial photograph shows a portion of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Australia, in September 2017.</p>","image_credits":"Photography by Mangiwau/Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T10:20:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T10:20:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"El Niño","subtype":"breaking news","column":null,"page_number":null},"6lU4etJUq8ZlGOImLWvS2Z":{"id":1312122,"contentful_id":"6lU4etJUq8ZlGOImLWvS2Z","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"NASA Goddardâs shrinking workforce could stifle future space missions, experts say","display_title":"<p>After brutal cuts, can this NASA center still build multibillion-dollar space telescopes?</p>","slug":"nasa-goddards-shrinking-workforce-could-stifle-future-space-missions-expert
72s-say","url":"/article/nasa-goddards-shrinking-workforce-could-stifle-future-space-missions-experts-say/","summary":"<p>2025 was a brutal year of budget cuts and workforce attrition at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the home base for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Experts worry Goddard—and NASA’s space science—may never recover</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"4A78049B-3431-4571-BDA05C94759AC074","url":"/author/eric-niiler/","contentful_id":"47Xt2r3nT0NoGB9c38RhmH","name":"Eric Niiler","slug":"eric-niiler","biography":"<p><b>Eric Niiler</b> is a freelance science writer based in Bethesda, Md. He is a former staff writer at the<i> Wall Street Journal</i> and the<i> New York Times</i>, and has written for <i>Wired</i>, <i>National Geographic </i>and many other publications.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59b84ac5-8561-4521-8683-3999560ca92d/54963584610_1c8abab8e0_k.jpg?m=1790016700.513","image_width":2048,"image_height":1365,"image_alt_text":"Two bunnysuited engineers stand facing away from the camera in a large clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, gazing at flight hardware for the space agency's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.","image_caption":"In a clean room at at NASAâs Goddard Space Flight Center, technicians view the Goddard-built $4.3-billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope shortly before its launch. Recent workforce reductions at Goddard, some sources say, could hinder the centerâs ability to deliver on future multibillion-dollar space science projects.","image_credits":"NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Space Exploration","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"4TXXqUJswhvbBdTsBilNiZ":{"id":1312126,"contentful_id":"4TXXqUJswhvbBdTsBilNiZ","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Trump rejects AI regulation, citing parallels with climate change, in U.N. address","display_title":"<p>Trump rejects AI regulation, citing parallels with climate change, in U.N. address</p>","slug":"trump-rejects-ai-regulation-citing-parallels-with-climate-change-in-un-address","url":"/article/trump-rejects-ai-regulation-citing-parallels-with-climate-change-in-un-address/","summary":"<p>The president also said artificial intelligence should be rebranded as “super intelligence”</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/adam-kovac/","contentful_id":"2NdA5dLkUPbqntFwKQw0Bw","name":"Adam Kovac","slug":"adam-kovac","biography":"<p><b>Adam Kovac</b> is a breaking news reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/9df7fe36-75ba-4336-b781-4b7ed583411d/Trump-UN.jpg?m=1790096253.343","image_width":8052,"image_height":5368,"image_alt_text":"U.S. president Donald Trump speaks during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on September 22, 2026.","image_caption":"<p>U.S. president Donald Trump speaks during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on September 22, 2026.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Brendan Smialowski-Pool/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T12:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T12:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Climate Change","subtype":"breaking news","column":null,"page_number":null},"7mLZLXl9IwKeGkTnqDknwE":{"id":1312117,"contentful_id":"7mLZLXl9IwKeGkTnqDknwE","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Mathematician reveals the truth behind the Parthenonâs optical illusion","display_title":"<p>Mathematician reveals the truth behind the Parthenon’s optical illusion</p>","slug":"mathematician-reveals-the-truth-behind-the-parthenons-optical-illusion","url":"/article/mathematician-reveals-the-truth-behind-the-parthenons-optical-illusion/","summary":"<p>The Parthenon sits atop a platform that is curved into a subtle hill shape that some say makes the structure appear straighter—but is that true?</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/emma-gometz/","contentful_id":"X8AHDHEDoTtMsH99bDFzl","name":"Emma Gometz","slug":"emma-gometz","biography":"<p><b>Emma Gometz</b> is a journalist and artist based in Queens, N.Y. Before becoming associate newsletter editor at <i>Scientific American</i>, Gometz was a digital producer for WNYC’s <i>Science Friday.</i> Their favorite musical is <i>A Little Night Music.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/dc288172-e337-453e-87a8-415de05400e0/Parthenon.jpg?m=1789762723.311","image_width":6960,"image_height":4640,"image_alt_text":"One side of an ancient Greek ruin with 8 columns and a triangular roof.","image_caption":"The Parthenon.","image_credits":"Elizabeth Beard / Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-22T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-22T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Architecture","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null}
72,"23wjcU7mfSCvaVjnQ4P4ze":{"id":1312130,"contentful_id":"23wjcU7mfSCvaVjnQ4P4ze","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"When it comes to âpoop maxxing,â are you optimizing or obsessing?","display_title":"<p>Is ‘poop maxxing’ the key to health?</p>","slug":"when-it-comes-to-poop-maxxing-are-you-optimizing-or-obsessing","url":"/podcast/episode/when-it-comes-to-poop-maxxing-are-you-optimizing-or-obsessing/","summary":"<p>Is it possible to optimize our poop?</p>\\n<p></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"C3EC0956-819E-44A8-9AD40F50F41E5D02","url":"/author/rachel-feltman/","contentful_id":"1FQ7STL2xBWngsZfOdgP9R","name":"Rachel Feltman","slug":"rachel-feltman","biography":"<p><b>Rachel Feltman</b> is former executive editor of <a href=\\"https://www.popsci.com/\\"><i>Popular Science</i></a> and forever host of the podcast <a href=\\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weirdest-thing-i-learned-this-week/id1377843908\\"><i>The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week</i></a>. She previously founded the blog <i>Speaking of Science</i> for the<i> Washington Post.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]},{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/alex-sugiura/","contentful_id":"7DcY8jg1D631czNJ9XJsON","name":"Alex Sugiura","slug":"alex-sugiura","biography":"<p><b>Alex Sugiura </b>is a Peabody and Pulitzer Prize–winning composer, editor and podcast producer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. He has worked on projects for <i>Bloomberg</i>, <i>Axios</i>, <i>Crooked Media</i> and Spotify, among others.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]},{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/alli-rodgers/","contentful_id":"3FRxZ3upa5m59KNDmIcgxE","name":"Alli Rodgers","slug":"alli-rodgers","biography":"<p><b>Alli Rodgers</b> is video and audio producer based in Brooklyn, N.Y.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a30501d4-440e-4827-9a71-3059999af19e/2609_SQ_WED_POOP_MAXING.png?m=1790112827.804","image_width":1920,"image_height":1080,"image_alt_text":"An illustration of three cartoon poops on three phone screens","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>JakeOlimb / Getty Images/ Scientific American</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/SAM6368002197.mp3","media_type":"podcast","release_date":"2026-09-23T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-23T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Medicine","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"3IY8W73d1ccBKdUHSvwpgR":{"id":1312121,"contentful_id":"3IY8W73d1ccBKdUHSvwpgR","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What a Trump order to put political appointees in charge of NIH funding would mean for science","display_title":"<p>What a Trump order to put political appointees in charge of NIH funding would mean for science</p>","slug":"what-a-trump-order-to-put-political-appointees-in-charge-of-nih-funding-would-mean-for-science","url":"/article/what-a-trump-order-to-put-political-appointees-in-charge-of-nih-funding-would-mean-for-science/","summary":"<p>Advocates and scientists warn that giving political appointees power over research grants would “upend” U.S. science</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/jackie-flynn-mogensen/","contentful_id":"51fU4EzamD1hiuGuw3mP6e","name":"Jackie Flynn Mogensen","slug":"jackie-flynn-mogensen","biography":"<p><b>Jackie Flynn Mogensen</b> is a breaking news reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>. Before joining <i>SciAm,</i> she was a science reporter at <i>Mother Jones, </i>where she received a National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications in 2024. Mogensen holds a master’s degree in environmental communication and a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences from Stanford University. She is based in New York City.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d89b45a8-0507-430a-98bc-20daef484ddc/Trump-NIH.jpg?m=1790021827.584","image_width":5554,"image_height":3703,"image_alt_text":"Trump at a podium.","image_caption":"<p>President Donald Trump, joined by National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya, speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C.</p>","image_credits":"Andrew Harnik/Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-21T15:58:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-21T15:58:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Politics","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"39iD25zjl9CD0lX9C2eXq":{"id":1312111,"contentful_id":"39iD25zjl9CD0lX9C2eXq","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"NASAâs Nancy Grace Roman Telescope glimpses its first cosmic light","display_title":"<p>NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope glimpses its first cosmic light</p>","slug":"nasas-nancy-grace-roman-telescope-glimpses-its-first-cosmic-light","url":"/article/nasas-nancy-grace-roman-telescope-glimpses-its-first-cosmic-light/","summary":"<p>The space telescope is set to reveal thousands of new exoplanets and scour the universe for signs of dark matter and energy</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/adam-kovac/","contentful_id":"2NdA5dLkUPbqntFwKQw0Bw","name":"Adam Kovac","slug":"adam-kovac","biography":"<p><b>Adam Kovac</b> is a breaking news reporter at <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/6dc9687b-6aab-4dcb-bb6d-d6c2cf78c083/Nancy-Grace-Roman.jpg?m=1789747199.426","image_width":3400,"image_height":3400,"image_alt_text":"This test image captures the very first photons of starlight to reach the Wide Field Instrument on NASAâs Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.","image_caption":"This test image captures the very first photons of starlight to reach the Wide Field Instrument on NASAâs Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.","image_credits":"
72<p>NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Tyler Desjardins/STScI</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-18T10:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-18T10:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Space Exploration","subtype":"breaking news","column":null,"page_number":null},"29Juq4x8fP2Ey2UYlUyEHt":{"id":1312110,"contentful_id":"29Juq4x8fP2Ey2UYlUyEHt","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What changing âLake Ontarioâ to âLake Americaâ means for weather forecasts","display_title":"<p>What changing ‘Lake Ontario’ to ‘Lake America’ means for weather forecasts</p>","slug":"what-changing-lake-ontario-to-lake-america-means-for-weather-forecasts","url":"/article/what-changing-lake-ontario-to-lake-america-means-for-weather-forecasts/","summary":"<p>The National Weather Service is speeding ahead with changing the name of the Great Lake</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"7A5A6251-8EDA-4AEE-9A275F436FEE35C0","url":"/author/andrea-thompson/","contentful_id":"4pgUizu4p9tV2132WJeneo","name":"Andrea Thompson","slug":"andrea-thompson","biography":"<p><b>Andrea Thompson</b> is senior editor for Earth and environment at <i>Scientific American,</i> covering the environment, energy and Earth sciences. She has been covering these topics for nearly two decades. Prior to joining <i>Scientific American</i>, she was a senior writer covering climate science at <i>Climate Central</i> and a reporter and editor at <i>Live Science</i>, where she primarily covered earth science and the environment. She has moderated panels, including as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Media Zone, and appeared in radio and television interviews on major networks. She holds a graduate degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a B.S. and an M.S. in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Follow Thompson on Bluesky <a href=\\"https://bsky.app/profile/andreatweather.bsky.social\\">@andreatweather.bsky.social</a></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5100ed7-113b-4ed8-8d5f-54e3dcb9056a/iss036e035632.jpeg?m=1789745011.976","image_width":1564,"image_height":1041,"image_alt_text":"Lake Ontario in various shades of blue, surrounded by brownish land, as seen from above.","image_caption":"<p>One of the Expedition 36 crew members onboard the International Space Station recorded this image of Lake Ontario on August 24, 2013.</p>","image_credits":"NASA","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-18T10:38:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-18T10:38:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Weather","subtype":"enterprise","column":null,"page_number":null},"6GxsqYo4MsinR3R33RYtov":{"id":1312102,"contentful_id":"6GxsqYo4MsinR3R33RYtov","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What your dog really thinks about you","display_title":"<p>What your dog really thinks about the world</p>","slug":"what-your-dog-really-thinks-about-you","url":"/article/what-your-dog-really-thinks-about-you/","summary":"<p>Science is helping to peel back the layers of how dogs process the world around them</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/mary-randolph/","contentful_id":"8D0pDkMSmpiE0w9g1uz4O","name":"Mary Randolph","slug":"mary-randolph","biography":"<p><b>Mary Randolph</b> is a news intern at <i>Scientific American </i>based in New York. Her work has been featured by <i>Smithsonian Magazine, </i>Pew Research Center, the Local News Initiative and various local newsrooms.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Intern","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/038108d0-0bd8-41
72ac-be94-7a8e31149057/dog-brains.jpg?m=1789660367.525","image_width":5760,"image_height":3840,"image_alt_text":"A dog \\"smiling\\" up at the camera","image_caption":"<p>If your dog could talk, they’d probably tell you they like you. That’s just one of the discoveries scientists are making about how dogs think.</p>","image_credits":"Ekaterina savyolova via Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-17T12:15:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-17T12:15:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Dogs","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"12FkFELCIryAAJPMaKTHqO":{"id":1312095,"contentful_id":"12FkFELCIryAAJPMaKTHqO","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Japan just hit a new longevity milestone","display_title":"<p>Japan just hit a new longevity milestone</p>","slug":"japan-just-hit-a-new-longevity-milestone","url":"/article/japan-just-hit-a-new-longevity-milestone/","summary":"<p>More than 100,000 people in the country are over 100 years old</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/mary-randolph/","contentful_id":"8D0pDkMSmpiE0w9g1uz4O","name":"Mary Randolph","slug":"mary-randolph","biography":"<p><b>Mary Randolph</b> is a news intern at <i>Scientific American </i>based in New York. Her work has been featured by <i>Smithsonian Magazine, </i>Pew Research Center, the Local News Initiative and various local newsrooms.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Intern","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e9e167cc-4ba2-4930-95e0-88bd9b6d2c53/Centenarian.jpg?m=1789586303.052","image_width":5760,"image_height":3840,"image_alt_text":"A 103-year-old Japanese woman poses for a photo in her home.","image_caption":"<p>Japan is the first country to have more than 100,000 centenarians and has one of the longest life expectancies in the world.</p>","image_credits":"<p>NurPhoto/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-16T14:49:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-16T14:49:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Aging","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"5mHjaIpxGSo5Vq1MbAOKCR":{"id":1312091,"contentful_id":"5mHjaIpxGSo5Vq1MbAOKCR","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Anthropicâs AI steals mathematiciansâ record for most complicated curve","display_title":"<p>AI steals mathematicians’ record for most complicated curve</p>","slug":"anthropics-ai-steals-mathematicians-record-for-most-complicated-curve","url":"/article/anthropics-ai-steals-mathematicians-record-for-most-complicated-curve/","summary":"<p>A search for the most complex elliptic curves has taken mathematicians years. Claude beat the record in days</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"E56F4A00-8C90-40A8-ACD3661882EF0FE1","url":"/author/manon-bischoff/","contentful_id":"2HJpRuFW1UbitGipdG1k8r","name":"Manon Bischoff","slug":"manon-bischoff","biography":"<p><b>Manon Bischoff</b> is a theoretical physicist and an editor at <i>Spektrum der Wissenschaft,</i> the German-language sister publication of <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Spektrum","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/b945bf3e-e52a-4a8a-a66d-5a33c59d3442/GettyImages-1950772724-cropped.jpeg?m=1789578301.64","image_width":3000,"image_height":2000,"image_alt_text":"A series of green overlapping elliptical rings","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-16T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-16T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Math","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"27EFLAZal2wjlHSc3ROLRd":{"id":1312116,"contentful_id":"27EFLAZal2wjlHSc3ROLRd","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Space weapons, AI safety concerns and the EPAâs rollback of power plant emission rules","display_title":"<p>U.S. space weapons, AI regulation debates and the EPA’s carbon emissions rollback </p>","slug":"space-weapons-ai-safety-concerns-and-the-epas-rollback-of-power-plant-emission-rules","url":"/podcast/episode/space-weapons-ai-safety-concerns-and-the-epas-rollback-of-power-plant-emission-rules/","summary":"<p>From orbital weapons to AI risks and weaker emissions rules</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"C3EC0956-819E-44A8-9AD40F50F41E5D02","url":"/author/rachel-feltman/","contentful_id":"1FQ7STL2xBWngsZfOdgP9R","name":"Rachel Feltman","slug":"rachel-feltman","biography":"<p><b>Rachel Feltman</b> is former executive editor of <a href=\\"https://www.popsci.com/\\"><i>Popular Science</i></a> and forever host of the podcast <a href=\\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weirdest-thing-i-learned-this-week/id1377843908\\"><i>The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week</i></a>. She previously founded the blog <i>Speaking of Science</i> for the<i> Washington Post.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]},{"mura_id":"D66A841E-16FA-4F30-81F01D492E7299EA","url":"/author/lee-billings/","contentful_id":"7sbCH7TlFb2NFayeuLSDA0","name":"Lee Billings","slug":"lee-billings","biography":"<p><b>Lee Billings</b> is a science journalist specializing in astronomy, physics, planetary science, and spaceflight and is senior desk for physical science at <i>Scientific American</i>. He is author of a critically acclaimed book, <i>Five Billion Years of Solitude: The Search for Life Among the Stars,</i> which in 2014 won a Science Communication Award from the American Institute of Physics. In addition to his work for <i>Scientific American,</i> Billings’s writing has appeared in the <i>New York Times, </i>the <i>Wall Street Journal,</i> the <i>Boston Globe,</i> <i>Wired,</i> <i>New Scientist,</i> <i>Popular Science</i> and many other publications. Billings joined <i>Scientific American</i> in 2014 and previously worked as a staff editor at <i>SEED</i> magazine. He holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Minnesota.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[{"type":"x","value":"@LeeBillings"}]},{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/fonda-mwangi/","contentful_id":"0dhQB8hZWSe7yX68kj9xP","name":"Fonda Mwangi","slug":"fonda-mwangi","biography":"<p><b>Fonda Mwangi</b> is an award-winning senior multimedia editor at <i>Scientific American </i>and showrunner of <i>Science Quickly</i>. She previously worked at <i>Axios</i>, the <i>Recount</i> and <i>WTOP News</i>. 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72image_width":1048,"image_height":700,"image_alt_text":"A large, white robotic arm works inside a glass enclosure, surrounded by trays of capped sample jars.","image_caption":"<p>Artificial intelligence has proven more useful to some scientific fields than others.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Marilyn Sargent © 2023 The Regents of the University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-18T14:20:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-18T14:20:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Artificial Intelligence","subtype":"news","column":null,"page_number":null},"4WTTQSONC92cKdSpHUza6l":{"id":1312109,"contentful_id":"4WTTQSONC92cKdSpHUza6l","article_doi":null,"mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"This dolphin terrifies fish until they pukeâand then eats it","display_title":"<p>This dolphin terrifies fish until they puke—and then eats it</p>","slug":"this-dolphin-terrifies-fish-until-they-puke-and-then-it-eats-their-upchuck","url":"/article/this-dolphin-terrifies-fish-until-they-puke-and-then-it-eats-their-upchuck/","summary":"<p>Don’t have the energy to catch your own meal? 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72why","display_title":"<p>Avocado flowers switch sex daily—now we know why</p>","slug":"avocado-flowers-switch-sex-daily-now-we-know-why","url":"/article/avocado-flowers-switch-sex-daily-now-we-know-why/","summary":"<p>New work explains how avocado trees coordinate a complex reproductive strategy, switching every day between male and female</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"C891EBE8-97E2-4143-BA8F38637FDB418C","url":"/author/jeanne-timmons/","contentful_id":"2jwuP8allhx5yvEwMXav3Z","name":"Jeanne Timmons","slug":"jeanne-timmons","biography":"<p><b>Jeanne Timmons</b> rediscovered her passion for paleontology later in life. A freelance writer based in New Hampshire, her work can be found at Gizmodo, Ars Technica and the <i>New York Times</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/9efe70b4-a4e0-45a4-96c4-1dc8ca0f4ff8/saw1026Adva06.jpg?m=1788277677.652","image_width":2000,"image_height":1522,"image_alt_text":"A cluster of yellow flower blooms.","image_caption":"<p>Avocado flowers in their female phase.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Jeffrey S. Groh</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-29T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-29T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Plants","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"15"},{"id":1312023,"contentful_id":"43Y19GTsTbOh2LxJa6xPfz","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-43Y19GTsTbOh2LxJa6xPfz","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Mathematicians discover the worst way to hang a painting","display_title":"<p>Mathematicians discover the worst way to hang a painting</p>","slug":"mathematicians-discover-the-worst-way-to-hang-a-painting","url":"/article/mathematicians-discover-the-worst-way-to-hang-a-painting/","summary":"<p>New solutions found to picture-hanging problems</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/emma-r-hasson/","contentful_id":"1KjWx3yIOP2L7x6gkkWD4T","name":"Emma R. Hasson","slug":"emma-r-hasson","biography":"<p><b>Emma R. Hasson</b> is <i>Scientific American’s</i> Games ace and a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at the City University of New York Graduate Center with expertise in math education and communication. Hasson was also a 2025 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at <i>Scientific American.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/703b1868-8d37-4bf4-ad7b-16e309e6ae49/RF-Paintings-Museum.jpg?m=1788533292.057","image_width":3000,"image_height":1996,"image_alt_text":"Blurred view of a person in black walking past a wall of museum paintings.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd/Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-05T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-05T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"16"},{"id":1312006,"contentful_id":"4u3ga4h6kkkbMJu9EMeDtA","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-4u3ga4h6kkkbMJu9EMeDtA","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Newly discovered âdemon cave fishâ hid out in Alabama military installation for 40 years","display_title":"<p>Newly discovered ‘demon cave fish’ hid out in Alabama military installation for 40 years</p>","slug":"newly-discovered-demon-cave-fish-hid-out-in-alabama-military-installation-for-40-years","url":"/article/newly-discovered-demon-cave-fish-hid-out-in-alabama-military-installation-for-40-years/","summary":"<p>Scientists named this oddball creature after the Demogorgon from <i>Stranger Things</i></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"7BC8AA8E-6E78-4C36-94B63915B42F6B12","url":"/author/elizabeth-anne-brown/","contentful_id":"16KGaSSAvz9wwU0cq5e060","name":"Elizabeth Anne Brown","slug":"elizabeth-anne-brown","biography":"<p><b>Elizabeth Anne Brown</b> is a freelance science journalist based in New Jersey. Her work has appeared in the <i>New York Times</i>, <i>National Geographic</i>, <i>MIT Tech Review,</i> and many other outlets. Read more at <a href=\\"https://www.elizabeth-anne-brown.com/\\">elizabeth-anne-brown.com</a>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/1323dfd6-bf8a-43fc-950b-4e2aaa5aa2b2/saw1026Adva08.jpg?m=1788360280.418","image_width":1920,"image_height":1440,"image_alt_text":"A translucent blue fish swims along the rocky ground.","image_caption":"<p>The newfound cave fish species <i>Demogorgonichthys arcanus.</i></p>
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Hasson</b> is <i>Scientific American’s</i> Games ace and a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at the City University of New York Graduate Center with expertise in math education and communication. Hasson was also a 2025 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at <i>Scientific American.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/3da926a3ccf413bb/original/mathPuzzles-opener.jpg?m=1723038172.878","image_width":1600,"image_height":1200,"image_alt_text":"Illustration of a hand and multiple numbers against a purple background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Ross MacDonald</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"17"},{"id":1312026,"contentful_id":"MlgTDGTHuPVGf5pNQbHBF","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-MlgTDGTHuPVGf5pNQbHBF","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Nature may have a preferred tempo","display_title":"<p>Nature may have a preferred tempo</p>","slug":"nature-may-have-a-preferred-tempo","url":"/article/nature-may-have-a-preferred-tempo/","summary":"<p>From flashing fireflies to human music, many biological rhythms appear to converge on the same rhythmic range</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/anirban-mukhopadhyay/","contentful_id":"63kxYxQnVqkHlC24pgAwbR","name":"Anirban Mukhopadhyay","slug":"anirban-mukhopadhyay","biography":"<p><b>Anirban Mukhopadhyay</b> is an independent science journalist based in India. He has a Ph.D. in genetics from Delhi University and writes about science policy and cutting-edge biomedical research. Find him on X <a href=\\"https://x.com/onipedia\\">@onipedia</a> and on <a href=\\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirban-mukhopadhyay-929827370/?originalSubdomain=in\\">LinkedIn</a>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/354428fd-d15a-4dca-83ba-aa475de3b730/saw1026Adva09.jpg?m=1788360878.045","image_width":2000,"image_height":1333,"image_alt_text":"A lit firefly clings to a single blade of grass.","image_caption":"<p>Fireflies’ rhythmic flickering fits within a common tempo range.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Jeremy Hogan/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-07T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-07T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Neuroscience","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"18"},{"id":1312030,"contentful_id":"5dHxph1pHJWL334qWlhlQg","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-5dHxph1pHJWL334qWlhlQg","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Do birds enjoy flying? Scientists asked cockatoos","display_title":"<p>Do birds enjoy flying? Scientists asked cockatoos</p>","slug":"do-birds-enjoy-flying-scientists-asked-cockatoos","url":"/article/do-birds-enjoy-flying-scientists-asked-cockatoos/","summary":"<p>Flying leads to positive emotions and optimism in Galahs</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/clarissa-brincat/","contentful_id":"4XAIflNpeM5puAsEe9ENEA","name":"Clarissa Brincat","slug":"clarissa-brincat","biography":"<p><b>Clarissa Brincat</b> is a freelance science and health journalist based in Europe.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/792527f1-6dad-423a-8673-dc7f3f9f2c4e/saw1026Adva10.jpg?m=1788361502.641","image_width":2500,"image_height":1667,"image_alt_text":"Three Galah Cockatoos with red bodies and gray/white wings perched on a feeding dish.","image_caption":"<p>Galah Cockatoos.</p>
72","image_credits":"<p>Tracielouise/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-08T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-08T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Animals","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"19"},{"id":1312055,"contentful_id":"3LIRyLta3WMHGUldRQyZFX","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-3LIRyLta3WMHGUldRQyZFX","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Giant armored crustaceans survive thanks to a gene stolen from bacteria","display_title":"<p>Giant armored crustaceans survive thanks to a gene stolen from bacteria</p>","slug":"giant-armored-crustaceans-survive-thanks-to-a-gene-stolen-from-bacteria","url":"/article/giant-armored-crustaceans-survive-thanks-to-a-gene-stolen-from-bacteria/","summary":"<p>Scientists have long wondered how these bizarre creatures endured for years without food—now they’ve found out why</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"EA581A07-ADF1-4C68-83F603AC42D42D5C","url":"/author/saugat-bolakhe/","contentful_id":"4VRiwck8ynRlP1gzYWwm8O","name":"Saugat Bolakhe","slug":"saugat-bolakhe","biography":"<p><b>Saugat Bolakhe</b> is a freelance science journalist. He studied zoology as an undergraduate in Nepal and received a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. His work has appeared in<i> Scientific American, Nature, New Scientist, Quanta, Eos, Discover</i>, <i>Knowable</i> and other publications.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59c70beb-99be-4233-b616-47c4e20a7b2e/saw1026Adva11.jpg?m=1788362834.566","image_width":2000,"image_height":1333,"image_alt_text":"A clawed, segmented creature.","image_caption":"<p>A supergiant deep-sea isopod can go for five years without eating.</p>","image_credits":"<p>MagicColors/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-11T09:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-11T09:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Biology","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"20"}],"departments":[{"id":1312082,"contentful_id":"obSfzpbYxGPPmmBz6smwN","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-obSfzpbYxGPPmmBz6smwN","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Finding meaning in the impossible","display_title":"<p>Finding meaning in the impossible</p>","slug":"finding-meaning-in-the-impossible","url":"/article/finding-meaning-in-the-impossible/","summary":"<p>Some questions may never be answered, but maybe that’s not the point</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"48C13A35-EA38-4553-8AEAA29E458F5B26","url":"/author/jeanna-bryner/","contentful_id":"21Tslq9zqoxJCZf8dy9vKw","name":"Jeanna Bryner","slug":"jeanna-bryner","biography":"<p><b>Jeanna Bryner</b> is editor in chief of <i>Scientific American</i>. Previously she was editor in chief of Live Science and, prior to that, an editor at Scholastic's <i>Science World</i> magazine. Bryner has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species, including the gorgeous Florida Scrub Jay. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She is a firm believer that science is for everyone and that just about everything can be viewed through the lens of science.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8ccad3bd-cd3f-46a1-b83a-df8262daf173/saw1026-FromTheEditor-
72IssueCover.jpg?m=1788891719.982","image_width":1200,"image_height":900,"image_alt_text":"Cover of the October 2026 issue of Scientific American against a lilac background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p><i>Scientific American</i></p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Culture","subtype":"article","column":"From the Editor","page_number":"4"},{"id":1312067,"contentful_id":"2UIywTS3SCmqceHGNyoGZ0","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-2UIywTS3SCmqceHGNyoGZ0","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Readers respond to the May 2026 issue","display_title":"<p>Readers respond to the May 2026 issue</p>","slug":"readers-respond-to-the-may-2026-issue","url":"/article/readers-respond-to-the-may-2026-issue/","summary":"<p>Letters to the editors for the May 2026 issue of <i>Scientific American</i></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"F6A98BF8-3A0B-421A-80230E8EB77E75BD","url":"/author/aaron-shattuck/","contentful_id":"2Srkvro2c21fx9aEVDbkXy","name":"Aaron Shattuck","slug":"aaron-shattuck","biography":"<p><b>Aaron Shattuck</b> is a senior copy editor at <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1b8bdfa-b9a1-49b4-af04-4de3a998f277/saw1026-Letters-IssueCover.jpg?m=1789411062.093","image_width":2000,"image_height":1500,"image_alt_text":"Cover of the May 2026 issue of Scientific American against an orange background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p><i>Scientific American</i></p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Culture","subtype":"article","column":"Letters","page_number":"6"},{"id":1312069,"contentful_id":"7EZ8IqDPzYQhBKLmDJG0sR","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-7EZ8IqDPzYQhBKLmDJG0sR","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Google DeepMind wants Gemini to power many different robots","display_title":"<p>Google DeepMind wants to build an AI brain that can jump between robot bodies</p>","slug":"google-deepmind-wants-gemini-to-power-many-different-robots","url":"/article/google-deepmind-wants-gemini-to-power-many-different-robots/","summary":"<p>The company’s push into physical AI is putting Gemini inside humanoids—and testing whether its intelligence can survive in the real world</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/adam-rogers/","contentful_id":"7lM67uWDmiltkoCYJYubsF","name":"Adam Rogers","slug":"adam-rogers","biography":"<p><b>Adam Rogers</b> is a journalist covering science, technology and culture. A former editor at <i>WIRED</i> and senior correspondent at <i>Business Insider</i>, he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/c6b57a42-7754-43a1-bcbd-3908874eda9c/saw1026Indu01.jpg?m=1789395550.131","image_width":2000,"image_height":1125,"image_alt_text":"A white humanoid robot crouches with both arms extended in a bright industrial workspace.","image_caption":"<p>Gemini Robotics 2 controls Apptronik’s Apollo 2 from feet to fingertips as DeepMind tries to make its AI work in a humanoid body.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Google DeepMind</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Robotics","subtype":"article","column":"Industry","page_number":"22"},{"id":1311775,"contentful_id":"13WoRwGT8zk0lHY74zdKbT","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-13WoRwGT8zk0lHY74zdKbT","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"How mental exhaustion changes the choices you make","display_title":"<p>How mental exhaustion changes the choices you make</p>","slug":"how-mental-exhaustion-changes-the-choices-you-make","url":"/article/how-mental-exhaustion-changes-the-choices-you-make/","summary":"<p>Neuroscientists show how the brain weighs effort against reward when we’re mentally fatigued</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/vikram-chib/","contentful_id":"5Z5v0iTGo0bhAp2C9mXAj0","
72name":"Vikram Chib","slug":"vikram-chib","biography":"<p><b>Vikram Chib</b> is an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. He studies the neuroscience of motivated performance and decision-making.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/159a7f22-3b22-4b58-94db-b86aa2f50121/mental-exhaustion.jpg?m=1785174555.446","image_width":6000,"image_height":4000,"image_alt_text":"A man at a desk takes off his glasses and massages his forehead with exhaustion.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Organic Media/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-28T11:30:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-28T11:30:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Neuroscience","subtype":"news","column":"Mind Matters","page_number":"82"},{"id":1311655,"contentful_id":"4yBG4lHNOCUa1FOPlfEm2c","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-4yBG4lHNOCUa1FOPlfEm2c","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What will happen to the moon in the far future?","display_title":"<p>What will happen to Earth’s moon in the far future?</p>","slug":"what-will-happen-to-the-moon-in-the-far-future","url":"/article/what-will-happen-to-the-moon-in-the-far-future/","summary":"<p>The moon is Earth’s constant companion. But will that always be the case?</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"9AD6ACF4-0A74-4123-80424891724E8B6E","url":"/author/phil-plait/","contentful_id":"7zuXyv1tG9bUbFFtJbqH8U","name":"Phil Plait","slug":"phil-plait","biography":"<p><b>Phil Plait</b> is a professional astronomer and science communicator in Virginia. His column for <i>Scientific American</i>, <a href=\\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/column/the-universe/\\">The Universe</a>, covers all things space. He writes the <a href=\\"https://badastronomy.beehiiv.com/\\"><i>Bad Astronomy Newsletter</i></a>. Follow him <a href=\\"https://about.me/philplait\\">online</a>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a5bcc1a2-7870-4e62-8c51-27f42965e437/earthmoona2.jpg?m=1789155939.896","image_width":3000,"image_height":2000,"image_alt_text":"A crescent Earth sets behind the far side of the moon.","image_caption":"<p>A crescent Earth sets behind the far side of the moon in this image captured by astronauts during NASA’s Artemis II lunar flyby in April 2026.</p>","image_credits":"<p>NASA</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-03T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-03T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":"The Universe","digital_column_slug":"the-universe","category":"Astronomy","subtype":"col","column":"The Universe","page_number":"83"},{"id":1312078,"contentful_id":"34wvBsA9SeUOhFSKkiKiBi","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-34wvBsA9SeUOhFSKkiKiBi","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Science crossword: Broken thoughts","display_title":"<p>Science crossword: Broken thoughts</p>","slug":"science-crossword-broken-thoughts","url":"/article/science-crossword-broken-thoughts/","summary":"<p>Play this crossword inspired by the October 2026 issue of<i> Scientific American</i></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/ella-dershowitz/","contentful_id":"6Vt6Lv01nhH08prcg4E6n4","name":"Ella Dershowitz","slug":"ella-dershowitz","biography":"<p><b>Ella Dershowitz </b>is a crossword puzzle constructor who has been published in the <i>New York Times</i>, the <i>Los Angeles Times</i>, the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> and AV Club Xwords (AVCX), among other outlets. Besides wrangling tiny boxes for puzzles, she is an actress who has appeared in tiny boxes on film and television, as well as in slightly larger boxes at off-Broadway productions in New York City, theaters in the Bay Area and those throughout the Northeast. She is currently playing the title role in an off-Broadway production of <a href=\\"https://mrssternwanders.com/\\"><i>Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library</i></a> through January 19, 2025.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/170d5c1b1809219e/original/GAMES-ICONS-all.jpg?m=1726666171.078","image_width":1000,"image_height":1000,"image_alt_text":"Games illustration with a green background","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"
72<p>Ross MacDonald</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Language","subtype":"col","column":"Science Crossword","page_number":"85"},{"id":1312066,"contentful_id":"41VlZy1MtXTQ7ZgJnphNUq","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-41VlZy1MtXTQ7ZgJnphNUq","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"The Pentagon tests lasers and microwaves against drone swarms","display_title":"<p>The Pentagon is testing lasers and microwaves to stop drone swarms</p>","slug":"the-pentagon-tests-lasers-and-microwaves-against-drone-swarms","url":"/article/the-pentagon-tests-lasers-and-microwaves-against-drone-swarms/","summary":"<p>After decades of hype, directed-energy weapons may offer the U.S. military a cheaper answer to the expensive problem of stopping drones</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"003B3FD6-F9E4-48C1-88C3DB55A07997A8","url":"/author/sarah-scoles/","contentful_id":"7HlKJcmJuekauyELGMZwuf","name":"Sarah Scoles","slug":"sarah-scoles","biography":"<p><b>Sarah Scoles</b> is a Colorado-based science journalist and a contributing editor at <i>Scientific American</i>. Her newest book is <i>Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons</i> (Bold Type Books, 2024).</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a263a982-5c5f-48e2-92e7-d6d30203da2b/saw1026SoW01.jpg?m=1789395640.479","image_width":2000,"image_height":1259,"image_alt_text":"Drones in a formation shaped like crosshairs with a teal wifi symbol layered on top along with 3 red laser beams emerging from the bottom.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Richard Mia</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Warfare","subtype":"col","column":"The Science of War","page_number":"86"},{"id":1312071,"contentful_id":"51EeRmQrHr5jP37OYhPTSK","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-51EeRmQrHr5jP37OYhPTSK","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Are darker egg yolks really healthier?","display_title":"<p>Are darker egg yolks really healthier?</p>","slug":"are-darker-egg-yolks-really-healthier","url":"/article/are-darker-egg-yolks-really-healthier/","summary":"<p>Deep-orange yolks could have a slight health benefit, but it’s easy for producers to fake it</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"65F6EDF7-25A4-4D37-981C8697E4EFE397","url":"/author/lori-youmshajekian/","contentful_id":"6o1POcu62nvEOAX3hLm49N","name":"Lori Youmshajekian","slug":"lori-youmshajekian","biography":"<p><b>Lori Youmshajekian</b> is a science journalist who reports on consumer health, environmental issues and scientific misconduct. She holds a master’s degree in science journalism from New York University and has written for <i>National Geographic, Wired</i> and <i>Retraction Watch</i>, among other outlets.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e84b3894-b1ee-4eb5-a8c0-3d699fe38b90/saw1026SoH01.jpg?m=1789395671.438","image_width":2500,"image_height":1389,"image_alt_text":"An egg being cracked onto a pan with many other eggs.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Jay Bendt</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Food","subtype":"col","column":"The Science of Health","page_number":"88"},{"id":1312075,"contentful_id":"39FVwJ2Fve7fycf5wsoDRM","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-39FVwJ2Fve7fycf5wsoDRM","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Poem: âThe Golden Recordâ","display_title":"<p>Poem: ‘The Golden Record’</p>
72","slug":"poem-the-golden-record","url":"/article/poem-the-golden-record/","summary":"<p>Science in meter and verse</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/jennifer-blackledge/","contentful_id":"1ZvVuWJjI9r9eei6VDOC8F","name":"Jennifer Blackledge","slug":"jennifer-blackledge","biography":"<p><b>Jennifer Blackledge</b> is a Detroit-area poet who works in the automotive industry. She was awarded the 2025 Zócalo Public Square Poetry Prize. Her work has been published in <i>JAMA, Rattle, ONE ART, I-70 Review, Kestrel,</i> and elsewhere.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/3e03601c-5f43-4f10-81b3-ed21f052ad01/saw1026Meter.jpg?m=1789395704.674","image_width":2304,"image_height":1514,"image_alt_text":"A dark blue arm emerging from the bottom reaching towards a golden disc within a celestial background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Masha Foya</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Arts","subtype":"col","column":"Meter","page_number":"89"},{"id":1311696,"contentful_id":"1yK6AtThd0mbGrEhcID03Y","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-1yK6AtThd0mbGrEhcID03Y","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Mathematicians still donât know the fastest way to multiply numbers","display_title":"<p>Mathematicians still don’t know the fastest way to multiply numbers</p>","slug":"mathematicians-still-dont-know-the-fastest-way-to-multiply-numbers","url":"/article/mathematicians-still-dont-know-the-fastest-way-to-multiply-numbers/","summary":"<p>A 23-year-old student overturned an ancient conjecture about one of math’s simplest operations</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"8380DF99-BB0A-4BC3-824DBE3E70787CBA","url":"/author/jack-murtagh/","contentful_id":"4Y2yTE5TRa9dZLAJBYMbB7","name":"Jack Murtagh","slug":"jack-murtagh","biography":"<p><b>Jack Murtagh</b> is a freelance math writer and puzzle creator. He writes a column on <a href=\\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/jack-murtagh/\\">mathematical curiosities</a> for <i>Scientific American</i> and creates <a href=\\"https://www.morningbrew.com/contributor/Jack\\">daily puzzles</a> for the Morning Brew newsletter. He holds a Ph.D. in theoretical computer science from Harvard University. 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72<p>Shideh Ghandeharizadeh</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Culture","subtype":"col","column":"Q&A","page_number":"92"},{"id":1312070,"contentful_id":"3Q28jb39s6KM5PkavTuDpe","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-3Q28jb39s6KM5PkavTuDpe","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"See how gravitational waves warp time and space","display_title":"<p>See how gravitational waves warp time and space</p>","slug":"see-how-gravitational-waves-warp-time-and-space","url":"/article/see-how-gravitational-waves-warp-time-and-space/","summary":"<p>The latest gravitational-wave discoveries include record-breaking cataclysms</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"38F3A00A-6C30-4169-949D5E7CEEBA0462","url":"/author/clara-moskowitz/","contentful_id":"3sINdK17AQK75IfqXBEo3s","name":"Clara Moskowitz","slug":"clara-moskowitz","biography":"<p><b>Clara Moskowitz</b> is chief of reporters at <i>Scientific American,</i> where she covers astronomy, space, physics and mathematics. She has been at <i>Scientific American</i> for more than a decade; previously she worked at Space.com. Moskowitz has reported live from rocket launches, space shuttle liftoffs and landings, suborbital spaceflight training, mountaintop observatories, and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in astronomy and physics from Wesleyan University and a graduate degree in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[{"type":"x","value":"@ClaraMoskowitz"}]},{"mura_id":"61BD5E84-3CCB-4D17-94BC11D0A1F2367C","url":"/author/lucy-reading-ikkanda/","contentful_id":"1f7eU9FoVQbNW9vqqvmtIT","name":"Lucy Reading-Ikkanda","slug":"lucy-reading-ikkanda","biography":"<p><b>Lucy Reading-Ikkanda</b> is a scientific information designer, art director, and illustrator based in Bedford, New York.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/348bc3ea-1202-4410-bf98-1ffef04eb6b8/sa1026Gsci31_leadImage.png?m=1789395833.513","image_width":1875,"image_height":1250,"image_alt_text":"Cropped illustration of a binary system of two co-orbiting black holes causing ripples in spacetime.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Lucy Reading-Ikkanda</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Astrophysics","subtype":"col","column":"Graphic Science","page_number":"94"},{"id":1312076,"contentful_id":"4rRdM3gTkKspzrasUAc39h","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-4rRdM3gTkKspzrasUAc39h","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"October 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago","display_title":"<p>October 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago</p>","slug":"october-2026-science-history-from-50-100-and-150-years-ago","url":"/article/october-2026-science-history-from-50-100-and-150-years-ago/","summary":"<p>Smallpox eradication; skyscraper excavations; research on the racetrack</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"48C13A35-EA38-4553-8AEAA29E458F5B26","url":"/author/jeanna-bryner/","contentful_id":"21Tslq9zqoxJCZf8dy9vKw","name":"Jeanna Bryner","slug":"jeanna-bryner","biography":"<p><b>Jeanna Bryner</b> is editor in chief of <i>Scientific American</i>. Previously she was editor in chief of Live Science and, prior to that, an editor at Scholastic's <i>Science World</i> magazine. Bryner has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species, including the gorgeous Florida Scrub Jay. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She is a firm believer that science is for everyone and that just about everything can be viewed through the lens of science.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/45137761-c327-4dc7-bf7b-722b2138873c/saw1026Hist01.jpg?m=1788891874.167","image_width":2616,"image_height":1800,"image_alt_text":"Illustration of two macaques.","image_caption":"<p><b>1976, Social Order of Macaques:</b> “Researchers observed a so-called subleader policing episode in a group of macaques. The episode, which lasted 1.5 seconds, starts with Tulip, a juvenile female, threatening Infinity, an adult female, shown here in an illustration based on a series of photographs.”</p>
72","image_credits":"<p><i>Scientific American, </i>Vol. 235, No. 4; October 1976</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"History","subtype":"col","column":"History","page_number":"96"}],"features":[{"id":1312074,"contentful_id":"53osaD2YYPd1Pu7gzLK0a8","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-53osaD2YYPd1Pu7gzLK0a8","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"The questions science may never answer","display_title":"<p>The questions science may never answer</p>","slug":"the-questions-science-may-never-answer","url":"/article/the-questions-science-may-never-answer/","summary":"<p>Will some of the biggest mysteries in science remain forever unsolved?</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"003B3FD6-F9E4-48C1-88C3DB55A07997A8","url":"/author/sarah-scoles/","contentful_id":"7HlKJcmJuekauyELGMZwuf","name":"Sarah Scoles","slug":"sarah-scoles","biography":"<p><b>Sarah Scoles</b> is a Colorado-based science journalist and a contributing editor at <i>Scientific American</i>. 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He shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for research on the structure and function of ribosomes. He is author of <i>Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality</i> (William Morrow, 2024).</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/38030320-b557-4937-987c-051b22719571/saw1026Rama01.jpg?m=1789396133.092","image_width":2500,"image_height":1634,"image_alt_text":"A woman looking at an aged reflection in a mirror with the hands of a clock with various other clocks made from science structures are scattered next to it on the wall by Ada Zejun Shen.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"
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He was previously a math staff writer at <i>Quanta Magazine</i> and holds a Ph.D. in particle physics from Columbia University.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/19495b9b-663b-4529-b475-11331c2e1df6/saw1026Howl01.jpg?m=1789396203.761","image_width":2500,"image_height":1875,"image_alt_text":"Rows of copper tubes rise from a white panel punctuated with an array of circular indentations inside the XENONnT dark matter detector. Provided by XENON Collaboration.","image_caption":"<p>Photomultiplier tubes in the XENONnT experiment at Italy’s Gran Sasso National Laboratory search for signs of dark matter particles interacting with liquid xenon.</p>","image_credits":"<p>XENON Collaboration</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Particle Physics","subtype":"feature","column":"Features","page_number":"44"},{"id":1312080,"contentful_id":"7o94307Zn9le0OmYnko7Xn","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-7o94307Zn9le0OmYnko7Xn","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What are the smallest pieces of the universe?","display_title":"<p>The hunt for reality’s smallest pieces</p>","slug":"what-are-the-smallest-pieces-of-the-universe","url":"/article/what-are-the-smallest-pieces-of-the-universe/","summary":"<p>Physicists are searching for what lies underneath the particles we know</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/jay-bennett/","contentful_id":"1Gi8Z6hlt4FP1Dpk7E0VL5","name":"Jay Bennett","slug":"jay-bennett","biography":"<p><b>Jay Bennett</b> is a science writer based in Copenhagen. He previously worked as a science editor at <i>National Geographic, Smithsonian</i> and <i>Popular Mechanics</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/d5fec0ac-b5ce-4bec-9168-18323d6551ce/saw1026Benn01.jpg?m=1789396333.263","image_width":2500,"image_height":1693,"image_alt_text":"A white hole and a black hole converging within the eye of a needle behing held by two fingers with planetary imagery scattered all around. 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72why","display_title":"<p>Avocado flowers switch sex daily—now we know why</p>","slug":"avocado-flowers-switch-sex-daily-now-we-know-why","url":"/article/avocado-flowers-switch-sex-daily-now-we-know-why/","summary":"<p>New work explains how avocado trees coordinate a complex reproductive strategy, switching every day between male and female</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"C891EBE8-97E2-4143-BA8F38637FDB418C","url":"/author/jeanne-timmons/","contentful_id":"2jwuP8allhx5yvEwMXav3Z","name":"Jeanne Timmons","slug":"jeanne-timmons","biography":"<p><b>Jeanne Timmons</b> rediscovered her passion for paleontology later in life. A freelance writer based in New Hampshire, her work can be found at Gizmodo, Ars Technica and the <i>New York Times</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/9efe70b4-a4e0-45a4-96c4-1dc8ca0f4ff8/saw1026Adva06.jpg?m=1788277677.652","image_width":2000,"image_height":1522,"image_alt_text":"A cluster of yellow flower blooms.","image_caption":"<p>Avocado flowers in their female phase.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Jeffrey S. Groh</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-29T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-29T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Plants","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"15"},{"id":1312023,"contentful_id":"43Y19GTsTbOh2LxJa6xPfz","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-43Y19GTsTbOh2LxJa6xPfz","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Mathematicians discover the worst way to hang a painting","display_title":"<p>Mathematicians discover the worst way to hang a painting</p>","slug":"mathematicians-discover-the-worst-way-to-hang-a-painting","url":"/article/mathematicians-discover-the-worst-way-to-hang-a-painting/","summary":"<p>New solutions found to picture-hanging problems</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/emma-r-hasson/","contentful_id":"1KjWx3yIOP2L7x6gkkWD4T","name":"Emma R. Hasson","slug":"emma-r-hasson","biography":"<p><b>Emma R. Hasson</b> is <i>Scientific American’s</i> Games ace and a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at the City University of New York Graduate Center with expertise in math education and communication. Hasson was also a 2025 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at <i>Scientific American.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/703b1868-8d37-4bf4-ad7b-16e309e6ae49/RF-Paintings-Museum.jpg?m=1788533292.057","image_width":3000,"image_height":1996,"image_alt_text":"Blurred view of a person in black walking past a wall of museum paintings.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd/Getty Images","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-05T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-05T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"16"},{"id":1312006,"contentful_id":"4u3ga4h6kkkbMJu9EMeDtA","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-4u3ga4h6kkkbMJu9EMeDtA","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Newly discovered âdemon cave fishâ hid out in Alabama military installation for 40 years","display_title":"<p>Newly discovered ‘demon cave fish’ hid out in Alabama military installation for 40 years</p>","slug":"newly-discovered-demon-cave-fish-hid-out-in-alabama-military-installation-for-40-years","url":"/article/newly-discovered-demon-cave-fish-hid-out-in-alabama-military-installation-for-40-years/","summary":"<p>Scientists named this oddball creature after the Demogorgon from <i>Stranger Things</i></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"7BC8AA8E-6E78-4C36-94B63915B42F6B12","url":"/author/elizabeth-anne-brown/","contentful_id":"16KGaSSAvz9wwU0cq5e060","name":"Elizabeth Anne Brown","slug":"elizabeth-anne-brown","biography":"<p><b>Elizabeth Anne Brown</b> is a freelance science journalist based in New Jersey. Her work has appeared in the <i>New York Times</i>, <i>National Geographic</i>, <i>MIT Tech Review,</i> and many other outlets. Read more at <a href=\\"https://www.elizabeth-anne-brown.com/\\">elizabeth-anne-brown.com</a>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/1323dfd6-bf8a-43fc-950b-4e2aaa5aa2b2/saw1026Adva08.jpg?m=1788360280.418","image_width":1920,"image_height":1440,"image_alt_text":"A translucent blue fish swims along the rocky ground.","image_caption":"<p>The newfound cave fish species <i>Demogorgonichthys arcanus.</i></p>
72","image_credits":"<p>Matthew L. Niemiller/UAH</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-02T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-02T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Animals","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"17"},{"id":1312072,"contentful_id":"4a6peTslCq6jJs3yW43PeG","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-4a6peTslCq6jJs3yW43PeG","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Math Puzzle: A puzzling picture","display_title":"<p>Math Puzzle: A puzzling picture</p>","slug":"math-puzzle-a-puzzling-picture","url":"/article/math-puzzle-a-puzzling-picture/","summary":"<p>Hang a painting poorly in this math puzzle</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/emma-r-hasson/","contentful_id":"1KjWx3yIOP2L7x6gkkWD4T","name":"Emma R. Hasson","slug":"emma-r-hasson","biography":"<p><b>Emma R. Hasson</b> is <i>Scientific American’s</i> Games ace and a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at the City University of New York Graduate Center with expertise in math education and communication. Hasson was also a 2025 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at <i>Scientific American.</i></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/3da926a3ccf413bb/original/mathPuzzles-opener.jpg?m=1723038172.878","image_width":1600,"image_height":1200,"image_alt_text":"Illustration of a hand and multiple numbers against a purple background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Ross MacDonald</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T07:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T07:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"17"},{"id":1312026,"contentful_id":"MlgTDGTHuPVGf5pNQbHBF","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-MlgTDGTHuPVGf5pNQbHBF","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Nature may have a preferred tempo","display_title":"<p>Nature may have a preferred tempo</p>","slug":"nature-may-have-a-preferred-tempo","url":"/article/nature-may-have-a-preferred-tempo/","summary":"<p>From flashing fireflies to human music, many biological rhythms appear to converge on the same rhythmic range</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/anirban-mukhopadhyay/","contentful_id":"63kxYxQnVqkHlC24pgAwbR","name":"Anirban Mukhopadhyay","slug":"anirban-mukhopadhyay","biography":"<p><b>Anirban Mukhopadhyay</b> is an independent science journalist based in India. He has a Ph.D. in genetics from Delhi University and writes about science policy and cutting-edge biomedical research. Find him on X <a href=\\"https://x.com/onipedia\\">@onipedia</a> and on <a href=\\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirban-mukhopadhyay-929827370/?originalSubdomain=in\\">LinkedIn</a>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/354428fd-d15a-4dca-83ba-aa475de3b730/saw1026Adva09.jpg?m=1788360878.045","image_width":2000,"image_height":1333,"image_alt_text":"A lit firefly clings to a single blade of grass.","image_caption":"<p>Fireflies’ rhythmic flickering fits within a common tempo range.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Jeremy Hogan/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-07T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-07T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Neuroscience","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"18"},{"id":1312030,"contentful_id":"5dHxph1pHJWL334qWlhlQg","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-5dHxph1pHJWL334qWlhlQg","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Do birds enjoy flying? Scientists asked cockatoos","display_title":"<p>Do birds enjoy flying? Scientists asked cockatoos</p>","slug":"do-birds-enjoy-flying-scientists-asked-cockatoos","url":"/article/do-birds-enjoy-flying-scientists-asked-cockatoos/","summary":"<p>Flying leads to positive emotions and optimism in Galahs</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/clarissa-brincat/","contentful_id":"4XAIflNpeM5puAsEe9ENEA","name":"Clarissa Brincat","slug":"clarissa-brincat","biography":"<p><b>Clarissa Brincat</b> is a freelance science and health journalist based in Europe.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/792527f1-6dad-423a-8673-dc7f3f9f2c4e/saw1026Adva10.jpg?m=1788361502.641","image_width":2500,"image_height":1667,"image_alt_text":"Three Galah Cockatoos with red bodies and gray/white wings perched on a feeding dish.","image_caption":"<p>Galah Cockatoos.</p>
72","image_credits":"<p>Tracielouise/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-08T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-08T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Animals","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"19"},{"id":1312055,"contentful_id":"3LIRyLta3WMHGUldRQyZFX","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-3LIRyLta3WMHGUldRQyZFX","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Giant armored crustaceans survive thanks to a gene stolen from bacteria","display_title":"<p>Giant armored crustaceans survive thanks to a gene stolen from bacteria</p>","slug":"giant-armored-crustaceans-survive-thanks-to-a-gene-stolen-from-bacteria","url":"/article/giant-armored-crustaceans-survive-thanks-to-a-gene-stolen-from-bacteria/","summary":"<p>Scientists have long wondered how these bizarre creatures endured for years without food—now they’ve found out why</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"EA581A07-ADF1-4C68-83F603AC42D42D5C","url":"/author/saugat-bolakhe/","contentful_id":"4VRiwck8ynRlP1gzYWwm8O","name":"Saugat Bolakhe","slug":"saugat-bolakhe","biography":"<p><b>Saugat Bolakhe</b> is a freelance science journalist. He studied zoology as an undergraduate in Nepal and received a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. His work has appeared in<i> Scientific American, Nature, New Scientist, Quanta, Eos, Discover</i>, <i>Knowable</i> and other publications.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/59c70beb-99be-4233-b616-47c4e20a7b2e/saw1026Adva11.jpg?m=1788362834.566","image_width":2000,"image_height":1333,"image_alt_text":"A clawed, segmented creature.","image_caption":"<p>A supergiant deep-sea isopod can go for five years without eating.</p>","image_credits":"<p>MagicColors/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-11T09:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-11T09:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Biology","subtype":"news","column":"Advances","page_number":"20"}],"departments":[{"id":1312082,"contentful_id":"obSfzpbYxGPPmmBz6smwN","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-obSfzpbYxGPPmmBz6smwN","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Finding meaning in the impossible","display_title":"<p>Finding meaning in the impossible</p>","slug":"finding-meaning-in-the-impossible","url":"/article/finding-meaning-in-the-impossible/","summary":"<p>Some questions may never be answered, but maybe that’s not the point</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"48C13A35-EA38-4553-8AEAA29E458F5B26","url":"/author/jeanna-bryner/","contentful_id":"21Tslq9zqoxJCZf8dy9vKw","name":"Jeanna Bryner","slug":"jeanna-bryner","biography":"<p><b>Jeanna Bryner</b> is editor in chief of <i>Scientific American</i>. Previously she was editor in chief of Live Science and, prior to that, an editor at Scholastic's <i>Science World</i> magazine. Bryner has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species, including the gorgeous Florida Scrub Jay. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She is a firm believer that science is for everyone and that just about everything can be viewed through the lens of science.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/8ccad3bd-cd3f-46a1-b83a-df8262daf173/saw1026-FromTheEditor-
72IssueCover.jpg?m=1788891719.982","image_width":1200,"image_height":900,"image_alt_text":"Cover of the October 2026 issue of Scientific American against a lilac background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p><i>Scientific American</i></p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Culture","subtype":"article","column":"From the Editor","page_number":"4"},{"id":1312067,"contentful_id":"2UIywTS3SCmqceHGNyoGZ0","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-2UIywTS3SCmqceHGNyoGZ0","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Readers respond to the May 2026 issue","display_title":"<p>Readers respond to the May 2026 issue</p>","slug":"readers-respond-to-the-may-2026-issue","url":"/article/readers-respond-to-the-may-2026-issue/","summary":"<p>Letters to the editors for the May 2026 issue of <i>Scientific American</i></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"F6A98BF8-3A0B-421A-80230E8EB77E75BD","url":"/author/aaron-shattuck/","contentful_id":"2Srkvro2c21fx9aEVDbkXy","name":"Aaron Shattuck","slug":"aaron-shattuck","biography":"<p><b>Aaron Shattuck</b> is a senior copy editor at <i>Scientific American</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/f1b8bdfa-b9a1-49b4-af04-4de3a998f277/saw1026-Letters-IssueCover.jpg?m=1789411062.093","image_width":2000,"image_height":1500,"image_alt_text":"Cover of the May 2026 issue of Scientific American against an orange background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p><i>Scientific American</i></p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Culture","subtype":"article","column":"Letters","page_number":"6"},{"id":1312069,"contentful_id":"7EZ8IqDPzYQhBKLmDJG0sR","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-7EZ8IqDPzYQhBKLmDJG0sR","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Google DeepMind wants Gemini to power many different robots","display_title":"<p>Google DeepMind wants to build an AI brain that can jump between robot bodies</p>","slug":"google-deepmind-wants-gemini-to-power-many-different-robots","url":"/article/google-deepmind-wants-gemini-to-power-many-different-robots/","summary":"<p>The company’s push into physical AI is putting Gemini inside humanoids—and testing whether its intelligence can survive in the real world</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/adam-rogers/","contentful_id":"7lM67uWDmiltkoCYJYubsF","name":"Adam Rogers","slug":"adam-rogers","biography":"<p><b>Adam Rogers</b> is a journalist covering science, technology and culture. A former editor at <i>WIRED</i> and senior correspondent at <i>Business Insider</i>, he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/c6b57a42-7754-43a1-bcbd-3908874eda9c/saw1026Indu01.jpg?m=1789395550.131","image_width":2000,"image_height":1125,"image_alt_text":"A white humanoid robot crouches with both arms extended in a bright industrial workspace.","image_caption":"<p>Gemini Robotics 2 controls Apptronik’s Apollo 2 from feet to fingertips as DeepMind tries to make its AI work in a humanoid body.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Google DeepMind</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Robotics","subtype":"article","column":"Industry","page_number":"22"},{"id":1311775,"contentful_id":"13WoRwGT8zk0lHY74zdKbT","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-13WoRwGT8zk0lHY74zdKbT","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"How mental exhaustion changes the choices you make","display_title":"<p>How mental exhaustion changes the choices you make</p>","slug":"how-mental-exhaustion-changes-the-choices-you-make","url":"/article/how-mental-exhaustion-changes-the-choices-you-make/","summary":"<p>Neuroscientists show how the brain weighs effort against reward when we’re mentally fatigued</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/vikram-chib/","contentful_id":"5Z5v0iTGo0bhAp2C9mXAj0","
72name":"Vikram Chib","slug":"vikram-chib","biography":"<p><b>Vikram Chib</b> is an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. He studies the neuroscience of motivated performance and decision-making.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/159a7f22-3b22-4b58-94db-b86aa2f50121/mental-exhaustion.jpg?m=1785174555.446","image_width":6000,"image_height":4000,"image_alt_text":"A man at a desk takes off his glasses and massages his forehead with exhaustion.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Organic Media/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-28T11:30:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-28T11:30:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Neuroscience","subtype":"news","column":"Mind Matters","page_number":"82"},{"id":1311655,"contentful_id":"4yBG4lHNOCUa1FOPlfEm2c","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-4yBG4lHNOCUa1FOPlfEm2c","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"What will happen to the moon in the far future?","display_title":"<p>What will happen to Earth’s moon in the far future?</p>","slug":"what-will-happen-to-the-moon-in-the-far-future","url":"/article/what-will-happen-to-the-moon-in-the-far-future/","summary":"<p>The moon is Earth’s constant companion. But will that always be the case?</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"9AD6ACF4-0A74-4123-80424891724E8B6E","url":"/author/phil-plait/","contentful_id":"7zuXyv1tG9bUbFFtJbqH8U","name":"Phil Plait","slug":"phil-plait","biography":"<p><b>Phil Plait</b> is a professional astronomer and science communicator in Virginia. His column for <i>Scientific American</i>, <a href=\\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/column/the-universe/\\">The Universe</a>, covers all things space. He writes the <a href=\\"https://badastronomy.beehiiv.com/\\"><i>Bad Astronomy Newsletter</i></a>. Follow him <a href=\\"https://about.me/philplait\\">online</a>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a5bcc1a2-7870-4e62-8c51-27f42965e437/earthmoona2.jpg?m=1789155939.896","image_width":3000,"image_height":2000,"image_alt_text":"A crescent Earth sets behind the far side of the moon.","image_caption":"<p>A crescent Earth sets behind the far side of the moon in this image captured by astronauts during NASA’s Artemis II lunar flyby in April 2026.</p>","image_credits":"<p>NASA</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-03T06:45:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-03T06:45:00-04:00","digital_column":"The Universe","digital_column_slug":"the-universe","category":"Astronomy","subtype":"col","column":"The Universe","page_number":"83"},{"id":1312078,"contentful_id":"34wvBsA9SeUOhFSKkiKiBi","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-34wvBsA9SeUOhFSKkiKiBi","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Science crossword: Broken thoughts","display_title":"<p>Science crossword: Broken thoughts</p>","slug":"science-crossword-broken-thoughts","url":"/article/science-crossword-broken-thoughts/","summary":"<p>Play this crossword inspired by the October 2026 issue of<i> Scientific American</i></p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/ella-dershowitz/","contentful_id":"6Vt6Lv01nhH08prcg4E6n4","name":"Ella Dershowitz","slug":"ella-dershowitz","biography":"<p><b>Ella Dershowitz </b>is a crossword puzzle constructor who has been published in the <i>New York Times</i>, the <i>Los Angeles Times</i>, the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> and AV Club Xwords (AVCX), among other outlets. Besides wrangling tiny boxes for puzzles, she is an actress who has appeared in tiny boxes on film and television, as well as in slightly larger boxes at off-Broadway productions in New York City, theaters in the Bay Area and those throughout the Northeast. She is currently playing the title role in an off-Broadway production of <a href=\\"https://mrssternwanders.com/\\"><i>Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library</i></a> through January 19, 2025.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/m/170d5c1b1809219e/original/GAMES-ICONS-all.jpg?m=1726666171.078","image_width":1000,"image_height":1000,"image_alt_text":"Games illustration with a green background","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"
72<p>Ross MacDonald</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Language","subtype":"col","column":"Science Crossword","page_number":"85"},{"id":1312066,"contentful_id":"41VlZy1MtXTQ7ZgJnphNUq","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-41VlZy1MtXTQ7ZgJnphNUq","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"The Pentagon tests lasers and microwaves against drone swarms","display_title":"<p>The Pentagon is testing lasers and microwaves to stop drone swarms</p>","slug":"the-pentagon-tests-lasers-and-microwaves-against-drone-swarms","url":"/article/the-pentagon-tests-lasers-and-microwaves-against-drone-swarms/","summary":"<p>After decades of hype, directed-energy weapons may offer the U.S. military a cheaper answer to the expensive problem of stopping drones</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"003B3FD6-F9E4-48C1-88C3DB55A07997A8","url":"/author/sarah-scoles/","contentful_id":"7HlKJcmJuekauyELGMZwuf","name":"Sarah Scoles","slug":"sarah-scoles","biography":"<p><b>Sarah Scoles</b> is a Colorado-based science journalist and a contributing editor at <i>Scientific American</i>. Her newest book is <i>Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons</i> (Bold Type Books, 2024).</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/a263a982-5c5f-48e2-92e7-d6d30203da2b/saw1026SoW01.jpg?m=1789395640.479","image_width":2000,"image_height":1259,"image_alt_text":"Drones in a formation shaped like crosshairs with a teal wifi symbol layered on top along with 3 red laser beams emerging from the bottom.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Richard Mia</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Warfare","subtype":"col","column":"The Science of War","page_number":"86"},{"id":1312071,"contentful_id":"51EeRmQrHr5jP37OYhPTSK","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-51EeRmQrHr5jP37OYhPTSK","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Are darker egg yolks really healthier?","display_title":"<p>Are darker egg yolks really healthier?</p>","slug":"are-darker-egg-yolks-really-healthier","url":"/article/are-darker-egg-yolks-really-healthier/","summary":"<p>Deep-orange yolks could have a slight health benefit, but it’s easy for producers to fake it</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"65F6EDF7-25A4-4D37-981C8697E4EFE397","url":"/author/lori-youmshajekian/","contentful_id":"6o1POcu62nvEOAX3hLm49N","name":"Lori Youmshajekian","slug":"lori-youmshajekian","biography":"<p><b>Lori Youmshajekian</b> is a science journalist who reports on consumer health, environmental issues and scientific misconduct. She holds a master’s degree in science journalism from New York University and has written for <i>National Geographic, Wired</i> and <i>Retraction Watch</i>, among other outlets.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/e84b3894-b1ee-4eb5-a8c0-3d699fe38b90/saw1026SoH01.jpg?m=1789395671.438","image_width":2500,"image_height":1389,"image_alt_text":"An egg being cracked onto a pan with many other eggs.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Jay Bendt</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Food","subtype":"col","column":"The Science of Health","page_number":"88"},{"id":1312075,"contentful_id":"39FVwJ2Fve7fycf5wsoDRM","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-39FVwJ2Fve7fycf5wsoDRM","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Poem: âThe Golden Recordâ","display_title":"<p>Poem: ‘The Golden Record’</p>
72","slug":"poem-the-golden-record","url":"/article/poem-the-golden-record/","summary":"<p>Science in meter and verse</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/jennifer-blackledge/","contentful_id":"1ZvVuWJjI9r9eei6VDOC8F","name":"Jennifer Blackledge","slug":"jennifer-blackledge","biography":"<p><b>Jennifer Blackledge</b> is a Detroit-area poet who works in the automotive industry. She was awarded the 2025 Zócalo Public Square Poetry Prize. Her work has been published in <i>JAMA, Rattle, ONE ART, I-70 Review, Kestrel,</i> and elsewhere.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/3e03601c-5f43-4f10-81b3-ed21f052ad01/saw1026Meter.jpg?m=1789395704.674","image_width":2304,"image_height":1514,"image_alt_text":"A dark blue arm emerging from the bottom reaching towards a golden disc within a celestial background.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Masha Foya</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Arts","subtype":"col","column":"Meter","page_number":"89"},{"id":1311696,"contentful_id":"1yK6AtThd0mbGrEhcID03Y","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-1yK6AtThd0mbGrEhcID03Y","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Mathematicians still donât know the fastest way to multiply numbers","display_title":"<p>Mathematicians still don’t know the fastest way to multiply numbers</p>","slug":"mathematicians-still-dont-know-the-fastest-way-to-multiply-numbers","url":"/article/mathematicians-still-dont-know-the-fastest-way-to-multiply-numbers/","summary":"<p>A 23-year-old student overturned an ancient conjecture about one of math’s simplest operations</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"8380DF99-BB0A-4BC3-824DBE3E70787CBA","url":"/author/jack-murtagh/","contentful_id":"4Y2yTE5TRa9dZLAJBYMbB7","name":"Jack Murtagh","slug":"jack-murtagh","biography":"<p><b>Jack Murtagh</b> is a freelance math writer and puzzle creator. He writes a column on <a href=\\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/jack-murtagh/\\">mathematical curiosities</a> for <i>Scientific American</i> and creates <a href=\\"https://www.morningbrew.com/contributor/Jack\\">daily puzzles</a> for the Morning Brew newsletter. He holds a Ph.D. in theoretical computer science from Harvard University. Follow him on X <a href=\\"https://twitter.com/JackPMurtagh\\">@JackPMurtagh</a></p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/1caac706-e03e-4760-8ef0-cc5a554737df/GettyImages-168351286-math-chalkboard.jpeg?m=1788879969.498","image_width":2400,"image_height":1795,"image_alt_text":"Man writes mathematical equations on chalkboard.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"<p>Justin Lewis/Getty Images</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-07-13T09:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-13T09:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Mathematics","subtype":"col","column":"Math","page_number":"90"},{"id":1312073,"contentful_id":"6n32G2VaqhLDpSsR9ubwGj","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-6n32G2VaqhLDpSsR9ubwGj","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"Why we love unexplainable mysteries","display_title":"<p>Why we love unexplainable mysteries</p>","slug":"why-we-love-unexplainable-mysteries","url":"/article/why-we-love-unexplainable-mysteries/","summary":"<p>The biggest questions in science inspire us even when we lack answers</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"38F3A00A-6C30-4169-949D5E7CEEBA0462","url":"/author/clara-moskowitz/","contentful_id":"3sINdK17AQK75IfqXBEo3s","name":"Clara Moskowitz","slug":"clara-moskowitz","biography":"<p><b>Clara Moskowitz</b> is chief of reporters at <i>Scientific American,</i> where she covers astronomy, space, physics and mathematics. She has been at <i>Scientific American</i> for more than a decade; previously she worked at Space.com. Moskowitz has reported live from rocket launches, space shuttle liftoffs and landings, suborbital spaceflight training, mountaintop observatories, and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in astronomy and physics from Wesleyan University and a graduate degree in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[{"type":"x","value":"@ClaraMoskowitz"}]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/5ecd611a-1aeb-4426-b869-89ec537870ed/saw1026QA01.jpg?m=1789395740.322","image_width":2000,"image_height":1178,"image_alt_text":"Colorful, highly stylized illustration portrait of Noam Hassenfeld.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"
72<p>Shideh Ghandeharizadeh</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Culture","subtype":"col","column":"Q&A","page_number":"92"},{"id":1312070,"contentful_id":"3Q28jb39s6KM5PkavTuDpe","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-3Q28jb39s6KM5PkavTuDpe","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"See how gravitational waves warp time and space","display_title":"<p>See how gravitational waves warp time and space</p>","slug":"see-how-gravitational-waves-warp-time-and-space","url":"/article/see-how-gravitational-waves-warp-time-and-space/","summary":"<p>The latest gravitational-wave discoveries include record-breaking cataclysms</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"38F3A00A-6C30-4169-949D5E7CEEBA0462","url":"/author/clara-moskowitz/","contentful_id":"3sINdK17AQK75IfqXBEo3s","name":"Clara Moskowitz","slug":"clara-moskowitz","biography":"<p><b>Clara Moskowitz</b> is chief of reporters at <i>Scientific American,</i> where she covers astronomy, space, physics and mathematics. 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Previously she was editor in chief of Live Science and, prior to that, an editor at Scholastic's <i>Science World</i> magazine. Bryner has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species, including the gorgeous Florida Scrub Jay. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She is a firm believer that science is for everyone and that just about everything can be viewed through the lens of science.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/45137761-c327-4dc7-bf7b-722b2138873c/saw1026Hist01.jpg?m=1788891874.167","image_width":2616,"image_height":1800,"image_alt_text":"Illustration of two macaques.","image_caption":"<p><b>1976, Social Order of Macaques:</b> “Researchers observed a so-called subleader policing episode in a group of macaques. The episode, which lasted 1.5 seconds, starts with Tulip, a juvenile female, threatening Infinity, an adult female, shown here in an illustration based on a series of photographs.”</p>
72","image_credits":"<p><i>Scientific American, </i>Vol. 235, No. 4; October 1976</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-15T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"History","subtype":"col","column":"History","page_number":"96"}],"features":[{"id":1312074,"contentful_id":"53osaD2YYPd1Pu7gzLK0a8","article_doi":"10.1038/scientificamerican102026-53osaD2YYPd1Pu7gzLK0a8","mura_id":null,"mura_contentid":null,"title":"The questions science may never answer","display_title":"<p>The questions science may never answer</p>","slug":"the-questions-science-may-never-answer","url":"/article/the-questions-science-may-never-answer/","summary":"<p>Will some of the biggest mysteries in science remain forever unsolved?</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":"003B3FD6-F9E4-48C1-88C3DB55A07997A8","url":"/author/sarah-scoles/","contentful_id":"7HlKJcmJuekauyELGMZwuf","name":"Sarah Scoles","slug":"sarah-scoles","biography":"<p><b>Sarah Scoles</b> is a Colorado-based science journalist and a contributing editor at <i>Scientific American</i>. 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He shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for research on the structure and function of ribosomes. He is author of <i>Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality</i> (William Morrow, 2024).</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/38030320-b557-4937-987c-051b22719571/saw1026Rama01.jpg?m=1789396133.092","image_width":2500,"image_height":1634,"image_alt_text":"A woman looking at an aged reflection in a mirror with the hands of a clock with various other clocks made from science structures are scattered next to it on the wall by Ada Zejun Shen.","image_caption":null,"image_credits":"
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He was previously a math staff writer at <i>Quanta Magazine</i> and holds a Ph.D. in particle physics from Columbia University.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Staff","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/19495b9b-663b-4529-b475-11331c2e1df6/saw1026Howl01.jpg?m=1789396203.761","image_width":2500,"image_height":1875,"image_alt_text":"Rows of copper tubes rise from a white panel punctuated with an array of circular indentations inside the XENONnT dark matter detector. 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72/","summary":"<p>Dozens of temporary gas turbines are powering SpaceXAI’s expansion—and fights over permits and pollution</p>","authors":[{"mura_id":null,"url":"/author/austyn-gaffney/","contentful_id":"1m8j3V67pFGND0x76yjT8v","name":"Austyn Gaffney","slug":"austyn-gaffney","biography":"<p><b>Austyn Gaffney</b> is a climate and energy writer based in Louisville, Ky. She has written for <i>The Atlantic, National Geographic</i> and <i>The New York Times</i>.</p>","short_biography":null,"picture_file":null,"category":"Freelance","contacts":[]}],"image_url":"https://static.scientificamerican.com/dam/asset/3139eff3-9529-4843-aab5-a0d78a731516/saw1026Gaff01.jpg?m=1788463072.45","image_width":2500,"image_height":1336,"image_alt_text":"Rows of gas turbines and construction equipment fill a large power site surrounded by trees and transmission lines.","image_caption":"<p>SpaceXAI’s Southaven power plant feeds one of its data centers across the Tennessee state line in Memphis. By July, Mississippi regulators counted 69 temporary gas turbines at the site—more than double the number the company had previously acknowledged.</p>","image_credits":"<p>Kevin Wurm</p>","image_desktop_url":null,"image_desktop_width":0,"image_desktop_height":0,"image_block_syndication":false,"media_url":null,"media_type":null,"release_date":"2026-09-09T06:00:00-04:00","date_published":"2026-09-09T06:00:00-04:00","digital_column":null,"digital_column_slug":null,"category":"Energy","subtype":"feature","column":"Features","page_number":"72"}]},"related_events":[]}},"abTestGroup":"1","renderedAt":"Thu Sep 24 2026 07:29:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)","renderedAtIso":"2026-09-24T07:29:20.010Z"},"bundle":{"name":"home-ux2","allowSentry":true,"allowAds":true,"allowExternalTracking":true,"allowCookieBanner":true,"allowChargebeeJs":false,"isAuthPage":false,"isRedirectPage":false,"isSensitivePage":false,"isManagementPage":false,"isMarketingPage":false,"isDebugPage":false}}`)</script>
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