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When Einstein Was Bohemian
His brief sojourn in Prague saw him working on early versions of general relativity and engaging with writers, philosophers and politicians
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Observations
The Illusion of Genetic Romance
Matchmaking based on “DNA compatibility” may sound intriguing, but the underlying science is hardly convincing
Cross-Check
The Cancer Industry: Hype vs. Reality
Cancer medicine generates enormous revenues but marginal benefits for patients...
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Have We Solved the Black Hole Information Paradox?
The answer is maybe. And as a bonus, we may soon have a new understanding of nature at a qualitatively different and deeper level than ever
What Lichens Can Teach Us
A new IMAX film highlights their beauty and resilience
Scientists Must Stand Up for Internationalism
Nationalistic trends across the world threaten the cross-border cooperation that underlies scientific progress
Slime Molds Have Been Oozing around Earth for at Least 100 Million Years
Stunning new fossil reveals that at least one Cretaceous slime mold—an “intelligent” giant amoeba—looks identical to one alive today
An Unanswered Question at the Heart of the U.S.’s Nuclear Arsenal
Nobody knows how long the plutonium “pits” in the cores of bombs last, and the answer could cost—or save—billions
Updates on Puerto Rico and Whakaari/White Island, Plus Taal Volcano Erupts
The year 2019 ended with a tragic bang, and 2020 is already a busy one for geologic disasters. Here’s the latest
Death on Mars
The martian radiation environment is a problem for human explorers that cannot be overstated
Penguin Skin Offers Hints about Dinosaur Fluff
A fossil penguin wing found in Antarctica has broader implications for what dinosaurs looked like
Can the Universe Provide Us with the Meaning of Life?
Astronomy and space exploration might offer a new perspective on our purpose in the cosmos
The Coolest Physics You’ve Ever Heard Of
Ultracold atoms can simulate all sorts of quantum behavior
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STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
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A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
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