Science

To Understand Anti-vaxxers, Consider Aristotle

Science denialism reaches back centuries.

A Classic American Car Is Having an Identity Crisis

Ford’s electric Mustang, the Mach-E, is attracting an unusual bunch of drivers—including me.

How Decades of Lax Rules Enable Train Disasters

Not much is stopping a catastrophe like the one in East Palestine from happening again.

Tattoos Do Odd Things to the Immune System

When you stick ink-filled needles into your skin, your body’s defenders respond accordingly. Scientists aren’t sure if that’s good or bad for you.

Crypto Is Mostly Over. Its Carbon Emissions Are Not.

The environmental toll of Bitcoin could be even higher this year than last.

The Rise of Gender-Neutral Names Isn’t What It Seems

The desire of parents to be truly original has had a perhaps unintended effect.

A Major Clue to COVID’s Origins Is Just Out of Reach

A key set of data could shore up the case for a purely animal origin. So why aren’t scientists sharing it?

A Cognitive Revolution in Animal Research

Animal ‘personalities’ are forcing scientists to rethink basic research.

A Devastating Toxin Is Bubbling Up From the Permafrost

Rising temperatures are releasing mercury into the Arctic.

The Strongest Evidence Yet That an Animal Started the Pandemic

A new analysis of genetic samples from China appears to link the pandemic’s origin to raccoon dogs.

Climate Activists Are Turning Their Attention to Hollywood

If TV can change Americans’ views on gay marriage, why not the environment?

The Alaska Oil Project Will Be Obsolete Before It’s Finished

The world might not have enough renewable energy to power everything by 2029, but we’ll have more than enough to keep the lights on without additional drilling.

The Next Stage of COVID Is Starting Now

What happens when everyone first gets immunity to the coronavirus as a very young kid?

Net-Zero Homes Aren’t Just for Millionaires

A Colorado initiative is betting that the cheapest housing will also be the greenest.

You Should Build a Frog Pond

Will someone please think of the urban amphibian?

Pregnancy Shouldn’t Work Like This

Some mammals pause their pregnancies for nearly a year, like a DIY version of freezing your embryos.

A Way to Predict Coastal Flooding Was Hiding in Plain Sight

Lichens can help answer an impossibly tough climate question.

Astronomers Were Not Expecting This

Newly discovered galaxies are scrambling our story of the universe.

The Future of Conservation Is Basically Shazam for Wildlife

Identifying the sounds of what’s happening in nature might just help researchers save it.

There’s Something Odd About the Dogs Living at Chernobyl

Pets left behind when people fled the disaster in 1986 seem to have seeded a unique population.