Scientifc America
Cute Little Tardigrades Are Basically Indestructible, and Scientists Just Figured Out One Reason Why
Tardigrades are microscopic animals that can survive a host of conditions that are too extreme to ever occur on Earth—and scientists want to learn their secrets
Children Anticipate What Others Want, But Great Apes Don't
New cross-species research suggests a theory of mind is one thing that sets humans apart from apes
First-of-Its-Kind Procedure Uses Pig Liver to Filter Human's Blood
A genetically modified pig liver successfully filtered the blood of a human who had completely lost brain activity and did so for three days. The achievement offers a potential temporary treatment for people with acute liver failure
AI Matches the Abilities of the Best Math Olympians
Until now computers have failed to solve mathematical problems. But the AI program AlphaGeometry has succeeded in finding proofs for dozens of theorems from the International Mathematical Olympiad
Bizarre Dark Object Could Be First-Known 'Empty' Galaxy from the Early Universe
A serendipitously discovered object nearly as massive as the Milky Way appears to be made of primordial gas that has formed almost no stars
Which Lost Species May be Found Again? Huge Study Reveals Clues
There are 856 mammal, bird, amphibian and reptile species currently missing—but researchers continue to search
Four New Octopus Species Discovered in the Deep Sea
Enigmatic octopuses that have been newly discovered in the waters off Costa Rica add to a growing registry of deep-sea dwellers
What's Behind the 'Arctic Blast' Plunging into the U.S.?
This week’s cold snap across the U.S. will be one of “the most impressive Arctic outbreaks of this century,” one climate scientist says
2023 Was the Hottest Year on Record by a Long Shot
The year 2023 is officially the hottest on record, edging close to the mark of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. But that doesn’t mean that the goals of the Paris climate accord are out of reach
AI-Optimized Catheter Design Could Prevent Urinary Tract Infections without Drugs
A 3-D-printed tube stymies microbes with a tiny obstacle course to combat rampant infections in hospitals
Earth's Wobble Wreaks Havoc on Astronomers--And Astrologers, Too
Our planet’s precession is scarcely noticeable during anyone’s lifetime, but across history, it has had enormous effects
Ancient Amazon Civilization Developed Unique Form of 'Garden Urbanism'
Traces of an ancient civilization that had a unique urban infrastructure with cities set amid fields have been rediscovered in the Amazon
Enigmatic Dinosaur Skull Sparks Debate over Tyrannosaur Evolution
A dinosaur skull first discovered in the 1980s was originally catalogued as a T. rex. Now some scientists argue it represents a new species of tyrannosaur and could shed light on where the massive animals originated
Thousands of U.S. Cities Could Become Virtual Ghost Towns by 2100
These projected findings about depopulation in U.S. cities are shaped by a multitude of factors, including the decline of industry, lower birth rates and the impacts of climate change
This Doctor Helped Spare Women from Radical Mastectomy
Canadian radiation oncologist Vera Peters pioneered the use of lumpectomies and postoperative radiation to treat breast cancer patients.
Simple Math Creates Infinite and Bizarre Automorphic Numbers
Squaring numbers can have surprising consequences
NASA's Troubled Mars Sample Mission Has Scientists Seeing Red
NASA’s Mars Sample Return program is the agency’s highest priority in planetary science, but projected multibillion-dollar overruns have some calling the plan a “dumpster fire”
First-Ever Biorobotic Heart Helps Scientists Study Cardiac Function
A model heart made from living tissue fused with robotic muscles could help researchers see how the organ works on the inside
What Killed the Largest Known Ape Species Ever?
The massive ancient ape Gigantopithecus blacki disappeared in a mystery that scientists are eager to crack
Sludge Videos Are Taking Over TikTok--And People's Mind
“Sludge content” is a type of viral video that features multiple clips playing simultaneously on a screen. Experts unpack what it may be doing to the brain