Basic Research

Trio wins Nobel Prize by using chemistry to ‘evolve’ the building blocks of life

By Nsikan Akpan

This year’s chemistry Nobel also comes with some political controversy, as one of the winners has been accused of promoting anti-Israel views.

How alcohol, time and trying to forget trauma can change what we remember

By Nsikan Akpan

Here’s what science says about how alcohol, age and memory interplay, and how trying to forget a memory can reinforce or corrode it.

What if we could put our plastic trash to good use?

By Jamie Leventhal

Humans produce 420 million tons of plastic annually, most of which lands in the environment. With these two innovations, plastic could have a useful second life.

In Kavanaugh debate, ‘boys will be boys’ is an unscientific excuse for assault

By Nsikan Akpan

Scientists debunk four myths about teenage brains, sexual aggression and what we remember about assault.

Scientists gave octopuses some molly. Here’s what happened.

By Jamie Leventhal

Two scientists drugged some cephalopods and were surprised to find that their reactions to MDMA were similar to those of humans, despite massive evolutionary differences.

World’s largest scientific society adopts policy against harassment. Will it work?

By Jamie Leventhal

In response to a #TimesUp movement, the American Association for the Advancement of Science passed measures on Saturday to tackle harassment.

Maps: Here’s where flooding from Florence could be the worst

By Julia Griffin

Hurricane Florence is predicted to bring a storm surge of 9 to 13 feet to parts of North Carolina, threatening residents and wild horses alike. But even after the storm passes, officials warn flooding could persist in the region for…

Meet the scientist behind these stunning images of Jupiter

By Vicky Stein

Candice Hansen-Koharcheck, a planetary scientist, has been photographing celestial bodies for decades. But for the Juno mission, her collaborators are citizen scientists.