Scientific American.com

Vaccines are safe, but they could always be safer—here’s what would make a difference

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

A rapidly warming Arctic is driving long-lasting summer extremes, such as this month’s sweltering temperatures, new research suggests

Later this year a tiny rover will carry out an unusual lunar task

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

Researchers and expert seafarers teamed up to re-create an ocean journey from more than 30,000 years ago

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

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

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

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

Answering the question of when consciousness emerges is deeply tied to the mystery of what it actually is and how it can be measured

These graphics will guide you through science-based vaccine guidelines for children and adults

The bird flu was long known to poultry farmers. Here’s why the dairy industry was caught off guard by its jump to cattle.

New research highlights the risks and occasional rewards of parental perfectionism

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

Nuclear policy specialist David Albright explains how his organization is monitoring for damage to nuclear sites following U.S. and Israeli strikes

Inspired by superconductivity, a strange new theory that seeks to explain dark matter might explain dark energy, too

The brain weighs factors based on their importance to oneself and one’s social world as part of a complex calculation that shapes behavior

In the early 20th century, a mathematician and economist sought the optimal strategy for Holmes to escape Moriarty’s pursuit

This explorer spacecraft is heading to a rare asteroid with a naked metal core. It could hold clues to how Earth began