All Stories by Stephen Ornes
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MathFor these artists, math is their muse
Artists around the world are finding inspiration in the curves, equations and patterns of mathematics. Here are some of their stories.
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TechThis robot’s parts are helpless alone, but turn smart as they team up
In a new system called “particle robotics,” many small, simple helpless units can seemingly come to life and start moving when amassed into a team.
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Health & MedicineExplainer: Vaccines are not linked to autism
Some parents say no to children’s vaccines because they worry immunizations could cause autism. But science has looked again and again and still finds no causal tie.
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PhysicsExplainer: What are black holes?
Among the most extreme celestial bodies in the universe, black holes are dense, massive entities whose gravity can sometimes hold together an entire galaxy.
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TechRise of the botnets
Botnets are armies of connected, infected computers that attack websites and other online businesses. Some scientists have found ways to use connected computers for good, too.
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OceansHow three coastal communities are dealing with rising seas
As our climate changes and seas rise, people who live near the ocean are at risk of losing their towns — and homes.
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Materials ScienceSome plastics learn to repair themselves
A new material can fix its own scratches and small cracks. One day, it also may make self-healing paints and plastics possible.
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PhysicsScientists vote to fix the world’s weight-loss problem
Scientists will soon vote to change the definition of the kilogram. The event shows how much we depend on a tiny metal cylinder locked in an underground vault in France.
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EnvironmentIs climate change fanning megafires?
Climate studies predict that a warmer world will up the risk of megafires. Now, scientists are studying real blazes for the fingerprint of a warming climate.
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ClimateFingerprint of climate change shows up in some extreme weather
Scientists have long predicted that climate change will worsen extreme weather. Now, they have tools to help measure that impact.
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ComputingWhat powers these electronics? We do!
Active people may end up becoming the 'fuel' for their electronics. Engineers are developing ways to harness the body’s motions to power the many devicess on which we now depend.
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EnvironmentScientist tackles water pollution with epic swims
German chemist Andreas Fath swam the entire Tennessee River — in record time. The reason was not to win a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He wanted to raise awareness about water pollution.