Scientific American.com

Experiments suggest an unusual magnetic material could help harness energy from Earth’s rotation. But not everyone is convinced

Most movies follow one of six emotional arcs. Which one sells the most tickets?

President Donald Trump is threatening steep tariffs on virtually all imports. Here’s what that means and what economics research suggests would be the impact

Defining the word “moon” is harder than you might think

A neurosurgeon who has acted as a consultant for Severance explains the science behind the show’s brain-altering procedure—and whether it could ever become reality.

What we learned about ape and human cognition from Kanzi the bonobo, who died this week

A new Trump administration health initiative called Operation Stork Speed aims to improve the safety of infant formula and reduce contamination risk, but budget and staffing cuts may hinder that

As the world gets closer to the mark 1.5 degrees Celsius in Paris climate agreement, scientists are racing to establish a single way to monitor current warming

Measles continues to spread in Texas and other states and has caused the first reported U.S. death from the virus in a decade. Vaccination data over time reveal vulnerabilities in protection

Andrea Evangelina Rodríguez Perozo, the Dominican Republic’s first female doctor, raised the funds to set sail for Paris so that she can learn about the latest advances in women’s health

From China to Brazil to Germany, huge numbers of people are addicted to shopping, driven in part by companies that use gaming strategies

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have announced ambitious plans to send a mission to Mars in 2026 and 2028. It’s not going to happen

Three studies show that a mouse will try to rouse an unconscious companion

Health secretary RFK, Jr. has repeatedly suggested that farmers should let bird flu spread through flocks. Experts explain why that’s a dangerous idea

A new map of cosmic expansion suggests that dark energy evolves over time, hinting that the universe doesn’t work the way we thought it did

With limited access to mental health care, people looking for answers about ADHD are turning to TikTok, where information is frequently misleading or inaccurate

A plan by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to fire scientists could disrupt environmental rules focused on clean air and water long after President Donald Trump leaves office

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost commercial lander has gone dark on the moon as planned, but not before sending back spectacular views of the lunar sunset

Life as an “innie” in the show Severance would likely involve severe trauma and mental stress, psychological research suggests

Tariffs on Mexico and Canada won’t stop the demand for addictive drugs