As people turn to AI for therapy and companionship, some say the models still need to learn the nuances of human humor.
Weed Regulation Is Foundering. For Answers, Look to the Labs
Lots of legal marijuana is sold with inflated THC levels or unsafe contaminants. Can the oversight system be reformed?
Lots of legal marijuana is sold with inflated THC levels or unsafe contaminants. Can the oversight system be reformed?
Do Indoor Pools Really Need to Close for Lightning?
National organizations say indoor pools should close during storms. Not everyone’s convinced the policy makes sense.
National organizations say indoor pools should close during storms. Not everyone’s convinced the policy makes sense.
Opinion: When ‘Coexistence’ Is Co-Opted in Conservation Practice
Coexistence between humans and wildlife is a meaningful goal, but it’s being misused or superficially invoked.
Coexistence between humans and wildlife is a meaningful goal, but it’s being misused or superficially invoked.
Interview: How a Hearing-Loss Grant Got Cut in the Fight Over DEI
“It felt like the floor dropped out,” researcher Uri Manor said after the sudden suspension of his lab’s award.
“It felt like the floor dropped out,” researcher Uri Manor said after the sudden suspension of his lab’s award.
Opinion: What Happened to All the Human Bird Flu Cases?
The end of the CDC’s emergency H5N1 flu response shows the challenges of disease surveillance in vulnerable groups.
The end of the CDC’s emergency H5N1 flu response shows the challenges of disease surveillance in vulnerable groups.
Wildfires Are Challenging Air Quality Monitoring Infrastructure
The U.S. has one of the world’s most advanced systems to monitor air pollutants. Can it keep up with a changing climate?
The U.S. has one of the world’s most advanced systems to monitor air pollutants. Can it keep up with a changing climate?
Opinion: The Many Perils of the ‘Pivot Penalty’
A recent study exposes modern science’s bias against researchers who explore beyond their established field.
A recent study exposes modern science’s bias against researchers who explore beyond their established field.
The Impact of NIH Cuts Ripples Beyond U.S. Borders
As international research projects are upended, European leaders say they will fill the funding void. Is that realistic?
As international research projects are upended, European leaders say they will fill the funding void. Is that realistic?
Book Review: An Impassioned Ode to the Riverine World
The nature writer Robert Macfarlane probes some profound moral and environmental questions in “Is a River Alive?”
The nature writer Robert Macfarlane probes some profound moral and environmental questions in “Is a River Alive?”
Opinion: Data, Death, and Delay — America’s Maternal Health Crisis
Several state maternal mortality review committees have had lapses in their reporting of pregnancy-related death data.
Several state maternal mortality review committees have had lapses in their reporting of pregnancy-related death data.
Shifting Forces: The Evolving Debate Around Dark Energy
New evidence suggests the universe might not behave as expected, raising questions about the costs of being wrong.
New evidence suggests the universe might not behave as expected, raising questions about the costs of being wrong.
The Challenges of Tackling Too Much Screen Time
Excessive smartphone and social media use may harm youth, but are blanket school bans a feasible solution?
Excessive smartphone and social media use may harm youth, but are blanket school bans a feasible solution?
Book Review: The Trouble with Depending on Experts
Two recent books make an impassioned case that in recent years, politics has tainted both health policy and science.
Two recent books make an impassioned case that in recent years, politics has tainted both health policy and science.
Opinion: What if MAGA Has a Point About Science?
Conservative distrust of science helped set the stage for its dismantling. Can scientists bridge the partisan divide?
Conservative distrust of science helped set the stage for its dismantling. Can scientists bridge the partisan divide?
Via the False Claims Act, NIH Puts Universities on Edge
A funding pause at the University of Michigan illustrates the uncertainty around new language in NIH grant awards.
A funding pause at the University of Michigan illustrates the uncertainty around new language in NIH grant awards.