Scientific American.com

Meditation’s Benefits Stretch Beyond the Person Who Meditates
Often framed as a boon for personal wellness, meditation helps us connect with and support others, too
New Proof Dramatically Compresses Space Needed for Computation
Surprising new work bucks 50 years of assumptions about the trade-offs between computation space and time
Could the Solar System Lose a Planet to a Passing Star?
Close stellar encounters could change the structure of our planetary system, potentially dooming Earth or other worlds to oblivion
Creating Bird Flu Vaccines for Humans at a Biosecure Laboratory
This San Antonio, Tex., lab takes biosecurity seriously. Suit up with its scientists and go behind the scenes of the science of vaccine creation.
Does Using ChatGPT Really Change Your Brain Activity?
Scientists warn against reading too much into a small experiment about ChatGPT and brain activity that is receiving a lot of buzz
These Actions Could Make Vaccines Safer. But RFK, Jr., Isn’t Pursuing Them
Vaccines are safe, but they could always be safer—here’s what would make a difference
A Gigantic Megacomet Is Erupting as It Zooms through the Solar System
Recent observations have revealed carbon monoxide venting from the largest comet ever seen, providing clues about its origins in the mysterious depths of the outer solar system
Heat Domes Are Hotter and Lingering Longer—Because of the Arctic
A rapidly warming Arctic is driving long-lasting summer extremes, such as this month’s sweltering temperatures, new research suggests
Math Enthusiasts Unite to Have Rover Calculate Pi on the Moon
Later this year a tiny rover will carry out an unusual lunar task
What Is Thimerosal? Why Most Vaccines Don’t Contain Mercury Anymore
Thimerosal, which contains an organic compound of mercury, has mostly been phased out as a preservative for vaccines. Here’s how we know it is safe and why we still use it in some vaccines given to adults
Archaeologists Recreate Prehistoric Tools to Build a Canoe for 140-Mile Ocean Voyage
Researchers and expert seafarers teamed up to re-create an ocean journey from more than 30,000 years ago
Use Summer Break to Build Closer Bonds with Your Children
The kids are out of school, and some of the pressures may be off. Here’s how you can further connect with them to make next year a little easier
Trump Administration Ousts National Science Foundation from Headquarters Building
Employees at the National Science Foundation say they’ve been blindsided by a plan for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to take over their offices
Sexual Synesthesia Paints the World in Color at the Moment of Orgasm
Scientists are just beginning to document sexual synesthesia, a phenomenon that can bring consciousness-altering washes of color and fantastical scenes at the moment of orgasm
A Sodom and Gomorrah Story Shows Scientific Facts Aren’t Settled by Public Opinion
Claims that an asteroid or comet airburst destroyed the biblical Sodom captured the public’s imagination. Its retraction shows that scientific conclusions aren’t decided by majority rule in the public square
When Do Babies Become Conscious?
Answering the question of when consciousness emerges is deeply tied to the mystery of what it actually is and how it can be measured
See Vaccine Recommendations Backed by Science in These Handy Charts
These graphics will guide you through science-based vaccine guidelines for children and adults
How Bird Flu Went from Devastating Poultry Farms to Infecting Dairy Herds
The bird flu was long known to poultry farmers. Here’s why the dairy industry was caught off guard by its jump to cattle.
How Perfectionism Hurts Parents and Their Kids
New research highlights the risks and occasional rewards of parental perfectionism
How to Keep Your Home Cool in Extreme Heat
When extreme heat arrives, here are science-based tips to keep your home cool, from the most efficient way to use air conditioning to strategic uses of fans