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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Discovers New Moon of Uranus
Using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have spotted a moon nestled near Uranus’s rings that’s so small you could walk around it
Why Hurricanes like Erin Trigger Rip Currents Hundreds of Miles Away
From Miami to Maine, the East Coast is under moderate or high rip current risk advisories because of Hurricane Erin
U.S. Cuts Antarctica’s Only Research Icebreaker Ship under Trump Budget Squeeze
The National Science Foundation will stop operating the Nathaniel B. Palmer icebreaker and slash polar science funding by 70 percent, devastating Antarctic research
What Happens When an Entire Scientific Field Changes Its Mind
Total reversals in scientific thinking are rare—but earth-shattering
180 Years of Standing Up for Science
Our anniversary celebration begins with an outstanding collection of stories about times that science itself has made a full about-face
Why Some Smells Are Pleasant and Others Are Off-Putting, according to Science
More familiar smells and scents from complex molecules can often be more appealing
Readers Respond to the April 2025 Issue
Letters to the editors for the April 2025 issue of Scientific American
Human Uniqueness Is a Myth, Mounting Evidence Shows
Other species exhibit capabilities that were once thought to be exclusive to Homo sapiens
How NASA’s Juno Probe Changed Everything We Know about Jupiter
The Juno spacecraft has rewritten the story on Jupiter, the solar system’s undisputed heavyweight
How Plastics Went from a Sustainability Solution to an Environmental Crisis
Synthetic polymers were supposed to free us from the limitations of our natural resources. Instead they led to an environmental crisis
September 2025: Science History from 50, 100 and 150 Years Ago
Huge fish; spiritualist rebuke
New Treatments Can Free Kids from the Deadly Threat of Peanut Allergy
Remarkable new treatments can free millions of kids and adults from the deadly threat of peanut allergy, tackling one of our fastest-growing medical problems
Contributors to Scientific American’s September 2025 Issue
Writers, artists, photographers and researchers share the stories behind the stories
In the Search for Life beyond Earth, the Only Constant Is Hope
The search for extraterrestrial life has periodically been turned upside down
Science Crossword: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Play this crossword inspired by the September 2025 issue of Scientific American
Math Puzzle: Dissect the Square
Figure out how to split the square in this math puzzle
Public Education Needs Our Support
The U.S. is a global powerhouse. Public education is one of the main reasons why
How Gluten-Free Diets Are Getting Overhyped
Unless you have celiac disease, there are few health benefits to a gluten-free diet
How Sleep Cleans the Brain and Keeps You Healthy
Washing waste from the brain is an essential function of sleep—and it could help ward off dementia