Enigmatic Dinosaur Skull Sparks Debate over Tyrannosaur Evolution
A dinosaur skull first discovered in the 1980s was originally catalogued as a T. rex. Now some scientists argue it represents a new species of tyrannosaur and could shed light on where the massive animals originated
Thousands of U.S. Cities Could Become Virtual Ghost Towns by 2100
These projected findings about depopulation in U.S. cities are shaped by a multitude of factors, including the decline of industry, lower birth rates and the impacts of climate change
Simple Math Creates Infinite and Bizarre Automorphic Numbers
Squaring numbers can have surprising consequences
NASA's Troubled Mars Sample Mission Has Scientists Seeing Red
NASA’s Mars Sample Return program is the agency’s highest priority in planetary science, but projected multibillion-dollar overruns have some calling the plan a “dumpster fire”
First-Ever Biorobotic Heart Helps Scientists Study Cardiac Function
A model heart made from living tissue fused with robotic muscles could help researchers see how the organ works on the inside
From Wildfires to Melting Sea Ice, The Warmest Summer on Record Has Had Cascading Effects Across the Arctic
Climate change is already disrupting lives in the Arctic, and the warmest summer on record will certainly have an enormous impact on the people and wildlife of the region
U.S. Emissions Fell by 2 Percent in 2023, Even as Economy Grew
Collapsing coal use drove a reduction in overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, but transportation emissions are still on the rise
What Killed the Largest Known Ape Species Ever?
The massive ancient ape Gigantopithecus blacki disappeared in a mystery that scientists are eager to crack
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-killed-the-largest-known-ape-species-ever/
It Turns Out We Were Born To Groove
The evolution of beat perception likely unfolded gradually among primates, reaching its pinnacle in humans
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/it-turns-out-we-were-born-to-groove/
Sludge Videos Are Taking Over TikTok--And People's Mind
“Sludge content” is a type of viral video that features multiple clips playing simultaneously on a screen. Experts unpack what it may be doing to the brain
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sludge-videos-are-taking-over-tiktok-and-peoples-mind/
Wildfire Risk Maps Haven't Kept Up with Wildfire Risks
Many states haven’t been able to keep their wildfire risk maps up to date, even as global warming increases the danger, because of funding constraints
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wildfire-risk-maps-havent-kept-up-with-wildfire-risks/
Coast Redwoods Are Enduring, Adaptable Marvels
Redwoods, like all trees, are engineered marvels that offer life lessons about adapting over time
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coast-redwoods-are-enduring-adaptable-marvels/
Private U.S. Lunar Lander Suffers 'Critical' Anomaly after Launch
Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander was meant to be the first commercial spacecraft to operate on the surface of the moon. Instead, it may not reach lunar orbit at all
How Supergenes Shape Evolution
By locking together traits that work well together, supergenes provide striking evolutionary advantages. But they can also be costly because they make it nearly impossible to purge bad mutations
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-supergenes-shape-evolution/
AI Weather Forecasting Can't Replace Humans--Yet
GraphCast and other artificial intelligence-based forecasting tools offer a whole new way to predict the weather, but they have limits
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-weather-forecasting-cant-replace-humans-yet/
What to Know About the New COVID Variant JN.1
A new SARS-CoV-2 variant is behind the latest surge in infections this winter, but it doesn't appear to cause more severe disease
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-to-know-about-the-new-covid-variant-jn-1/
The U.S. Energy Transition Explained in 8 Numbers
Solar and natural gas surged last year in the U.S., while wind stumbled
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-u-s-energy-transition-explained-in-8-numbers/
Uranus and Neptune Have Similar Hues, New Study Shows
A new analysis finds that images from Voyager 2's close encounter with Neptune show the planet as being far too blue
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/uranus-and-neptune-have-similar-hues-new-study-shows/
We Need Smarter Driverless Vehicle Regulations More Urgently than We Need Smarter AI
Recent Tesla Autopilot and Cruise robo-taxi news has raised public concern. Strong federal and state safety regulations are needed to ensure the safety of driverless vehicles’ AI-based software
How Networked Incitement Fueled the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection
Networked incitement, including cellphones and social media, powered the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/jan-6-was-an-example-of-networked-incitement/