In places like Indonesia, plastic refuse is often burned in unregulated low-tech furnaces that pose grave health risks.
The Push for Artificial Inheritance
Since the emergence of the gene-editing tool Crispr-Cas9 more than a decade ago, scientists, bioethicists, legal scholars, faith leaders, and policy experts have wrestled with what it would mean to use the tool to tinker with the human gene pool — the fulfillment it could bring to prospective parents who want to bring healthy, flourishing offspring into the world; the socioeconomic inequalities it could deepen; the transformative effect it could have on what it means to be human.
Since the emergence of the gene-editing tool Crispr-Cas9 more than a decade ago, scientists, bioethicists, legal scholars, faith leaders, and policy experts have wrestled with what it would mean to use the tool to tinker with the human gene pool — the fulfillment it could bring to prospective parents who want to bring healthy, flourishing offspring into the world; the socioeconomic inequalities it could deepen; the transformative effect it could have on what it means to be human.
As Rocket Launches Increase, They May Be Polluting the Skies
Research suggests that rocket exhaust and debris could be threatening the ozone layer, though uncertainties persist.
Research suggests that rocket exhaust and debris could be threatening the ozone layer, though uncertainties persist.
Opinion: Prediction Markets Make a Bet Against Public Health
Online prediction markets evade safeguards against gambling and risk normalizing addictive behaviors.
Online prediction markets evade safeguards against gambling and risk normalizing addictive behaviors.
The Future of Sex as a Biological Variable in Health Research
An executive order upended an NIH policy requiring researchers to account for both sexes in preclinical animal studies.
An executive order upended an NIH policy requiring researchers to account for both sexes in preclinical animal studies.
Why Swedish Schools Are Bringing Back Books
Amid declining test scores, the country has pivoted away from screens and invested in back-to-basics school materials.
Amid declining test scores, the country has pivoted away from screens and invested in back-to-basics school materials.
Book Review: How Genetics Shapes Our Ideas About Vice and Blame
Kathryn Paige Harden’s “Original Sin” explores the genetic roots of sin and guilt, and our attitudes toward punishment.
Kathryn Paige Harden’s “Original Sin” explores the genetic roots of sin and guilt, and our attitudes toward punishment.
Opinion: Science Communication Is Central to the Practice of Science
Explaining and defending knowledge is as essential to the scientific enterprise as publishing research.
Explaining and defending knowledge is as essential to the scientific enterprise as publishing research.
Polygraphs Aren’t Very Accurate. Are There Better Options?
Research is identifying alternative methods to the polygraph, but some doubt whether true lie detection is possible.
Research is identifying alternative methods to the polygraph, but some doubt whether true lie detection is possible.
Where There’s Wildfire Smoke, There’s Poor Mental Health
On a mild day in mid-November, among a clutch of oaks and sycamores, more than a dozen people encircled a small fire.
On a mild day in mid-November, among a clutch of oaks and sycamores, more than a dozen people encircled a small fire.
Opinion: The Problem With Promoting ‘Gold Standard Science’
Branding scientific research with a simplified label risks misleading the public and harming scientific literacy.
Branding scientific research with a simplified label risks misleading the public and harming scientific literacy.
Interview: Sylvia Fogel on Rethinking Autism Research
The newly-appointed head of a government advisory committee on autism is ready to reshape federal priorities.
The newly-appointed head of a government advisory committee on autism is ready to reshape federal priorities.
Rifling Through the Evidence: Uncertainty in Firearms Analysis
Recently published studies raise basic methodology questions about the tests used to vet ballistic analysts.
Recently published studies raise basic methodology questions about the tests used to vet ballistic analysts.
Stuck in the Weeds: An Invasive Plant Meets Bureaucracy
At the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond, Arundo donax shouldn’t be hard to control. Red tape and disorder get in the way.
At the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond, Arundo donax shouldn’t be hard to control. Red tape and disorder get in the way.
Opinion: Why Environmental Tipping Points Don’t Have to Spell Doom
A tipping point commonly means a point of no return. But conservation can still help ecosystems restore their balance.
A tipping point commonly means a point of no return. But conservation can still help ecosystems restore their balance.
Why the FDA Is Embracing Old Math for New Drugs
In the 20th-century statistics wars, Bayesians were underdogs. Now their methods may help speed treatments to market.
In the 20th-century statistics wars, Bayesians were underdogs. Now their methods may help speed treatments to market.