Stronger than plastic and tougher than glass, the resin-filled material is being exploited for smartphone screens, insulated windows and more.
New Zealand’s Quest to Save Its Rotund, Flightless Parrots
DNA sequencing, GPS tracking and tailored diets are slowly restoring the endangered kākāpō.
DNA sequencing, GPS tracking and tailored diets are slowly restoring the endangered kākāpō.
Neanderthals: More Knowable Now Than Ever
They have held our fascination ever since we first identified their remains. Today, thanks to new artifacts and technologies, findings about our closest relatives are coming thick and fast.
They have held our fascination ever since we first identified their remains. Today, thanks to new artifacts and technologies, findings about our closest relatives are coming thick and fast.
Green Shipping Picks Up Speed
An international treaty aims to bring the shipping industry to net-zero emissions by around 2050. Can novel fuels, wind power and coordination on a global scale get it there?
An international treaty aims to bring the shipping industry to net-zero emissions by around 2050. Can novel fuels, wind power and coordination on a global scale get it there?
Speedy Downloads: Why NASA Is Turning to Lasers for Next-Gen Space Comms
The first tests of optical communications far from Earth will take place aboard the asteroid-bound Psyche spacecraft
The first tests of optical communications far from Earth will take place aboard the asteroid-bound Psyche spacecraft
The Race to Understand Polar Ice Sheets
As glacial cliffs break off and destabilize frozen landscapes, glaciologist Richard Alley focuses on the fractures. The work could improve predictions about future sea-level rise.
As glacial cliffs break off and destabilize frozen landscapes, glaciologist Richard Alley focuses on the fractures. The work could improve predictions about future sea-level rise.
In the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, New Marine Ecosystems Are Flourishing
Sea life, stuck to plastic bottles and other human trash, has journeyed far from coastal habitats — and may threaten local species
Sea life, stuck to plastic bottles and other human trash, has journeyed far from coastal habitats — and may threaten local species
How Wind Turbines Could Coexist Peacefully With Bats and Birds
As wind power grows around the world, so does the threat the turbines pose to wildlife. From simple fixes to high-tech solutions, new approaches can help.
As wind power grows around the world, so does the threat the turbines pose to wildlife. From simple fixes to high-tech solutions, new approaches can help.
Untangling the Genetics That Underlie Our Facial Features
After turning up hundreds of genes with hard-to-predict effects, some scientists are now probing the grander developmental processes that shape face geometry
After turning up hundreds of genes with hard-to-predict effects, some scientists are now probing the grander developmental processes that shape face geometry
The Remaining Frontiers in Fighting Hepatitis C
A scientist whose work was key to identifying, studying and finding treatments for this life-threatening virus discusses the scientific journey and challenges that persist
A scientist whose work was key to identifying, studying and finding treatments for this life-threatening virus discusses the scientific journey and challenges that persist
As the Climate Changes, Plants Must Shift Their Ranges. But Can They?
Lots of them depend on fruit-eating birds and mammals to spread their seeds. But it’s debatable whether the animals — many in trouble themselves — can disperse seeds far and fast enough to keep pace with a warming world.
Lots of them depend on fruit-eating birds and mammals to spread their seeds. But it’s debatable whether the animals — many in trouble themselves — can disperse seeds far and fast enough to keep pace with a warming world.
Everyone Should Start Counting Spiders
Our collective arachnid aversion could be causing us to overlook something even scarier: Spiders may be disappearing.
Our collective arachnid aversion could be causing us to overlook something even scarier: Spiders may be disappearing.
New Devices Could Change the Way We Measure Blood Pressure
Embedded in a cell phone or in accessories such as rings, bracelets or watches, the novel tools aim to make it easier to manage hypertension. But they must still pass several tests before hitting the clinic.
Embedded in a cell phone or in accessories such as rings, bracelets or watches, the novel tools aim to make it easier to manage hypertension. But they must still pass several tests before hitting the clinic.
The Quest to Understand Tornadoes
Scientists are still grappling with how and why violent twisters form. Will new technology and computing power help?
Scientists are still grappling with how and why violent twisters form. Will new technology and computing power help?
Leaning Into Indigenous Knowledge on Climate Change
Native peoples attuned to the natural world have long collected detailed environmental information. Now scientists are cataloging these observations and learning how they’re affecting Indigenous communities globally.
Native peoples attuned to the natural world have long collected detailed environmental information. Now scientists are cataloging these observations and learning how they’re affecting Indigenous communities globally.
Does It Work to Pay People Not to Cut the Forest?
Evidence that the approach helps to save trees, preserve ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions is often hard to come by. But it can succeed if it’s done right, says an economist.
Evidence that the approach helps to save trees, preserve ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions is often hard to come by. But it can succeed if it’s done right, says an economist.