How far away was that lightning?
When you see a bolt of lightning, do you immediately start counting to see how far off a storm is? An atmospheric scientist…
June 7, 2018
468
Technology
I want your (anonymized) social media data
Researchers analyze social media data to gain useful insights into modern society and culture. But it's important to…
June 6, 2018
510
Why won't scientific evidence change the minds of Loch Ness monster true believers?
If you're committed to a belief, it's hard to let go. Psychology and philosophy provide different ways to think…
June 6, 2018
529
With federal funding for science on the decline, what's the role of a profit motive in research?
Money always seems tight university scientists. A sociologist conducted hundreds of interviews to see how they think about…
June 5, 2018
489
When did humans first learn to count?
Linguistic clues show how people around the world first developed mathematical thought.
June 5, 2018
597
A los presidentes latinoamericanos les encanta Twitter (y esta no es una buena señal)
Cuando los líderes de las democracias débiles usan las redes sociales para conectarse con sus electores, las personas…
June 4, 2018
922
Satellite imagery is revolutionizing the world. But should we always trust what we see?
Geospatial data offers a powerful new way to see the world. But these high-tech images can be misleading or incomplete.
June 4, 2018
539
When will Google defend democracy?
Social media sites aren't the only online systems that can secretly influence people's votes. Search engines can…
June 4, 2018
920
Blood in your veins is not blue – here's why it's always red
Your blood is red; it's never blue. Because of hemoglobin; and the view through tissue.
June 1, 2018
527
For NFL players, social media is key to winning PR battle over anthem protests
NFL players, historically losers in power struggles with team owners, can retake control of the kneeling-protest issue if…
June 1, 2018
512
Immigration agents X-raying migrants to determine age isn't just illegal, it's a misuse of science
If an undocumented migrant is a minor or an adult can have far-reaching implications. A forensic anthropologist explains…
May 31, 2018
555
How can criminals manipulate cryptocurrency markets?
Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are susceptible to fraud and price manipulation, just like any other type of investment.
May 31, 2018
1269
Organs-on-chips: Tiny technology helping bring safe new drugs to patients faster
Researchers who've created a kidney-on-a-chip explain why these kinds of devices are an improvement over traditional…
May 30, 2018
558
Can this bird adapt to a warmer climate? Read the genes to find out
As the climate warms, some species will not be able to evolve fast enough to adapt to the new conditions. Rachael Bay examined…
May 29, 2018
522
New federal policy would hike student spacecraft costs, threatening technology education
Will new communications licensing costs make small satellites so expensive that they can't be used for student education?
May 29, 2018
588
Federal judge rules Trump's Twitter account is a public forum
A Twitter account used for official purposes is a public forum protected by the First Amendment, a federal judge has ruled.
May 24, 2018
590
Personality tests with deep-sounding questions provide shallow answers about the 'true' you
Few can resist an assessment that promises to reveal your hidden, true self. But new research suggests that people mistakenly…
May 24, 2018
550
What are these 'levels' of autonomous vehicles?
There are a few notable milestones along the road to fully self-driving cars.
May 23, 2018
572
The Standard Model of particle physics: The absolutely amazing theory of almost everything
A particle physicist explains just what this keystone theory includes. After 50 years, it's the best we've got to…
May 23, 2018
534
Debunking the 6 biggest myths about 'technology addiction'
Popular concerns about technology use and alleged addiction don't hold up to scholarly scrutiny.
May 22, 2018
704