Without real-time flood monitoring, communities and insurance companies can’t adequately prepare for storm impacts.
Podcast: Is Fluoride Toxic at Low Levels?
This week on Entanglements, our hosts talk to a dentistry professor and a clinical neuropsychologist about fluoride.
This week on Entanglements, our hosts talk to a dentistry professor and a clinical neuropsychologist about fluoride.
The Data Dragnet: A New World of Technological Surveillance
Advances in DNA technology and artificial intelligence may usher in a more Orwellian world. But do they work?
Advances in DNA technology and artificial intelligence may usher in a more Orwellian world. But do they work?
The Elusive Payoff of Gain of Function Research
Experiments that make viruses more virulent or contagious present significant risks. Are those risks worth the rewards?
Experiments that make viruses more virulent or contagious present significant risks. Are those risks worth the rewards?
For Science That Comes With Risks, a Key Question: Who Decides?
From pathogen research to geoengineering and AI, consequential science is accelerating. Whose hands are on the wheel?
From pathogen research to geoengineering and AI, consequential science is accelerating. Whose hands are on the wheel?
Interview: Overseeing the Research That Might Start a Pandemic
Biosecurity expert Gerald Epstein discusses how certain high-risk science should be regulated.
Biosecurity expert Gerald Epstein discusses how certain high-risk science should be regulated.
Opinion: Caring for Patients from Conflict Zones
When providing health care for new immigrants and refugees, the world’s faraway conflicts fall sharply into focus.
When providing health care for new immigrants and refugees, the world’s faraway conflicts fall sharply into focus.
Home Foundations Are Crumbling. This Mineral Is to Blame.
Pyrrhotite causes cracks in concrete. But research on how widespread the issue might be has only scratched the surface.
Pyrrhotite causes cracks in concrete. But research on how widespread the issue might be has only scratched the surface.
Opinion: Most College Science Professors Aren’t Trained to Teach
STEM faculty are hired predominantly for research expertise, not necessarily teaching skill. This can hurt students.
STEM faculty are hired predominantly for research expertise, not necessarily teaching skill. This can hurt students.
The Long, Contentious Battle to Regulate Gain-of-Function Work
For years, experts have tussled over whether — and how — to restrict risky pathogen research. Is a compromise possible?
For years, experts have tussled over whether — and how — to restrict risky pathogen research. Is a compromise possible?
Book Review: The Alchemy That Powers the Modern World
Two recent books examine the use and abuse of uranium and the vital minerals fueling today’s technology.
Two recent books examine the use and abuse of uranium and the vital minerals fueling today’s technology.
Are Weight-Loss Drugs Contributing to a Fall in the Obesity Rate?
Results from a recent survey have prompted questions about the influence of GLP-1s on the obesity rate of U.S. adults.
Results from a recent survey have prompted questions about the influence of GLP-1s on the obesity rate of U.S. adults.
Book Review: Bringing the Universe Into Ever-Sharper Focus
In “Pillars of Creation,” Richard Panek shows how the James Webb Space Telescope is transforming our view of the cosmos.
In “Pillars of Creation,” Richard Panek shows how the James Webb Space Telescope is transforming our view of the cosmos.
Geoengineering Could Alter Global Climate. Should It?
Scientists and companies increasingly support blocking some sunlight to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
Scientists and companies increasingly support blocking some sunlight to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
Book Review: The Many Bounties of Collaboration in Nature
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “The Serviceberry” explores the profound benefits that sharing and mutual exchange can create.
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “The Serviceberry” explores the profound benefits that sharing and mutual exchange can create.
Opinion: What Does It Mean to Be In the ‘Post-Genomic’ Age?
New dialogues are emerging about what comes next in biology, 25 years after completion of a draft of the human genome.
New dialogues are emerging about what comes next in biology, 25 years after completion of a draft of the human genome.