Scientifc America
Behold--the Best Space Images of 2023
This year’s most interesting space images include infrared views of galactic “bones,” an asteroid’s double moon, Jupiter’s giant polar vortex, and more
Sometimes We Can Have Nice Things: Our 10 Favorite Feel-Good Stories of 2023
Here’s the best, most inspiring and coolest science we encountered this year
2023's Mind-Bending Revelations in the Brain Sciences
This year the explosion of interest in AI had a profound impact on how experts in the fields of neuroscience and psychology think about biological intelligence and learning
Zapping the Vagus Nerve Could Relieve Some Long COVID Symptoms
Ongoing research shows electrical vagus nerve stimulators could relieve some long COVID symptoms. But are the expensive devices worth the price?
Extreme Weather Has Long-Term Health Consequences
Authorities must take proactive measures to mitigate the damaging effects of extreme weather and climate events on long-term health
The Most Important Climate Stories of 2023 Aren't All Bad News
In 2023 climate news was a mixed bag: we saw unrelenting heat but also glimmers of hope of progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions
A Hunt for Sterile Neutrinos Could Unlock Deep Cosmic Secrets
The Short-Baseline Neutrino Program will try to determine once and for all whether sterile neutrinos are real
7 Weird Animal Behaviors That Amazed Us in 2023
From fish that dance to “see” to frogs disguised as poop to boat-attacking killer whales, Scientific American rounds up our favorite odd animals of 2023
Why Does Fruitcake Last So Long?
The holiday fruitcake is a timeless dessert—literally
Reindeer Chew Their Food While Napping
Brain wave studies suggest that when it comes to eating and sleeping, reindeer multitask to survive in the harsh Arctic
You Can Literally Sniff Out Other People's Inner Feelings
Scents are not only important in our relationship to food and the natural world. They also play a role in how we communicate with people we know
The 6 Most Intriguing Things We Learned about Pet Cats and Dogs This Year
In 2023 we learned that cats really are choosing to ignore humans and that—despite dogs getting all the glory when it comes to retrieving prowess—cats want to play fetch, too
The Winter Solstice Has a Surprising Secret
How can the December solstice have the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere but neither the earliest sunset nor the latest sunrise? Earth’s orbital quirks offer answers
Octopuses Are Colorblind. Here's How They See the World
Cephalopods have developed unique visual systems to deal with their underwater world
Antarctic Octopus Holds Secrets of Prehistoric Ice Loss in Its Genome
As the climate crisis continues, sooner or later the massive West Antarctic Ice Sheet will collapse. An unassuming octopus just gave scientists an important clue about how quickly that might happen
Sniffing Women's Tears Makes Men Less Aggressive
For the first time, researchers have used behavioral measures, brain imaging and molecular biology to test how odorless chemicals from human tears affect people
Two Private U.S. Moon Landers Prepare for Historic Launches
The first vehicles to fly under NASA’s new lunar delivery initiative will aim to be the first commercial spacecraft to land softly on another celestial body
Masking Even Some of the Time This Winter Could Help Prevent Respiratory Infections
Experts weigh in on how you can navigate social gatherings and travel as respiratory illnesses rise this winter
Online COVID Wastewater Sites Can Help You Stay Safe during the Holidays
Here’s how to plan COVID-safer holiday get-togethers, using websites that show viral levels in wastewater
Cutting Salt May Lower Blood Pressure as Much as Medication
A new study confirms the blood pressure-lowering power of a low-sodium diet