The Dunning-Kruger Effect Shows that People Don’t Know What They Don’t Know
David Dunning explains how people can avoid overestimating their own knowledge, a psychological bias called the Dunning-Kruger effect
A Solar Eclipse Is Too Special to See Through Your Smartphone
To make the most of any total solar eclipse, put down your gadgets and bask in one of our solar system’s most glorious spectacles
To Ancient Maya, Solar Eclipses Signified Clashing Gods
Ancient Maya saw solar eclipses as a “broken sun” that was a sign of possible destruction
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-ancient-maya-solar-eclipses-signified-clashing-gods/
How Rats Took Over North America
Rat remains from shipwrecks and dig sites show how two rodent species duked it out in eastern North America
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-rats-took-over-north-america/
IVF Treatment in the U.S. May Be at Risk, Scientists Warn
An Alabama court ruling that human embryos outside the uterus should be regarded as children has raised concerns among doctors and scientists about the future of the fertility treatment in vitro fertilization
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ivf-treatment-in-the-u-s-may-be-at-risk-scientists-warn/
Solar Eclipse Will Reveal Stunning Corona, Scientists Predict
Predicting what the sun will look like during a total solar eclipse is a helpful exercise for scientists in the long quest to understand how our star works
The Latest Weather Forecast along the Total Solar Eclipse Path
From cloud coverage to clear skies, here’s up-to-date weather conditions expected along the path of April 8’s total solar eclipse
A Rare Greenhouse Gas Comes from—Termite Pesticide?
As much as 85 percent of U.S. emissions of sulfuryl fluoride—a rare greenhouse gas and common pesticide used to treat termites—comes from California
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-rare-greenhouse-gas-comes-from-termite-pesticide/
Why Kate Middleton and Other Cancer Patients Require More Than One Treatment
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, announced she had cancer last month. Many cancer patients undergo surgery, chemotherapy and other treatments in combination
Eclipses Reveal a Comforting Clockwork in Our Chaotic Universe
Eclipses bring the future—or at least a tiny sliver of it—into sharp focus
Chickadees Use Brain-Cell ‘Barcodes’ to Remember Where They Stashed Their Snacks
Unique patterns of neuron activation help tiny birds catalog thousands of scattered food caches
Three Experiments Could Help Electrify Big Trucks
With a new EPA rule aiming to reduce carbon emissions from the biggest class of trucks in the U.S., companies are experimenting with overhead cables and wireless road charging
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/three-experiments-could-help-electrify-big-trucks/
How to Photograph a Total Solar Eclipse with Any Camera: Tips from an Eclipse Chaser
We asked a professional astro photographer and eclipse chaser how to take the best photographs and videos of a total solar eclipse.
Are Your Solar Eclipse Glasses Fake? Here’s How to Check
You’re going to want to guard your eyes from the sun using legitimate protective gear
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/eclipse-glasses-fake-counterfeit/
Walking Backward Can Improve Joints, Arthritis and Overall Health
Experts explain how moving in reverse can take pressure off your knees and improve flexibility
Chatbots Struggle to Answer Medical Questions in Widely Spoken Languages
Two popular chatbots showed some difficulty in providing medical information when asked in Spanish, Hindi or Mandarin
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chatbots-medical-questions-language/
How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse Online
Will you be outside the path of totality during the 2024 total solar eclipse? What if clouds block your view? Find out how to watch the event online with this collection of livestreams
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-watch-the-total-solar-eclipse-online/
In Countries Facing Scorching Heat, Shade Trees and Cheap Cooling Strategies Gain Traction
Countries from Sierra Leone to Mexico are looking for low-cost, easy ways to protect residents from extreme heat, such as planting shade trees and setting up warning systems
America’s Most Visited National Park Is Threatened by Climate Change
Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s spruce and fir forests are rebounding from overlogging and acid rain but may be no match for higher temperatures
Ever Larger Cargo Ships Threaten Bridges, Ports and Other Structures
Cargo ships, like the one that caused the Baltimore bridge to collapse, are getting dangerously big