Engineering Design

Tech

A greener way to keep flames away

Scientists use safer materials to create a new flame retardant.

Animals

Lotion takes a bite out of snake venom

Scientists discover that a cream can slow the spread of a serpent’s poison.

Science & Society

Scientist profile: Leroy Hood

The inventor of the DNA sequencing technique, and Albert Lasker Awardee, embarks on the next big challenge.

Computing

Watson a game-changer for science

Supercomputer outsmarts humans in historic Jeopardy! competition.

Chemistry

Superslim silicene

Lab-made sheets of silicon are only one atom thick.

Health & Medicine

Scientists help amputees by getting on their nerves

Environment

Planting seeds for better plastic

Scientists are working to put the bio in plastics.

Physics

Explainer: How a synchrotron works

Giant magnets direct superfast light into beams up to 30 million times as bright as those produced by a laser pointer.

Tech

Crime lab

From accidents to crime scenes, scientists are helping detectives solve mysteries.

Tech

Inspired by nature

Researchers are applying lessons learned from butterflies, beetles, mussels, and other creatures to problems of human survival.

Tech

A taste for cheese

Researchers aim for cheese that is tastier, more nutritious, and easier to make than those now available.