Science & Society
- Materials Science
Super-absorbent swab could curb errors in COVID-19 testing
A new super-absorbent swab could cut down on false negatives from COVID-19 testing. And that could help slow spread of the disease.
- Science & Society
New technology can get inside your head. Are you ready?
New technologies aim to listen to — and maybe even change — your brain activity. But just because scientists can do this, should they?
- Science & Society
People are concerned about tech tinkering with our minds
It’s not science fiction: Science can already eavesdrop on and influence our thoughts. Here’s what our readers think about it.
- Science & Society
How to fight online hate before it leads to violence
Counter-speech, artificial intelligence and other tools can help spot online hate — and maybe thwart it. New studies show how.
- Physics
What did you say? Fabric masks can really muffle voices
Some types of face masks muffle speech more than others — something that teachers should take into account.
- Math
What the mummy’s curse reveals about your brain
A man died soon after opening a mummy’s tomb. But don’t assume the mummy killed him. Statistics help explain why coincidences may not be meaningful.
- Health & Medicine
What kids need to know about getting a COVID-19 shot
COVID-19 vaccines are already being administered to some adults. Here’s what that means for kids and teens.
- Animals
Utah mink is first known case of the coronavirus in a wild animal
A wild mink appears to have picked up the novel coronavirus from farmed animals. Such spread in the wild does not appear common.
- Science & Society
Suffering from racist acts can prompt Black teens to constructive action
Stress from experiencing racist acts can lead Black teens to recognize and confront racism and fight for social justice.
- Archaeology
This prehistoric woman from Peru hunted big game
Women in the Americas speared large prey as early as 9,000 years ago, new archaeological evidence suggests.
- Health & Medicine
Warning! Junk foods can harm a teen’s brain
The adolescent brain has a hard time resisting junk food. But high-fat, high-sugar diets can interfere with learning and pose risks to mental health.
- Health & Medicine
COVID-19 risk linked to vaping, but addicted kids find it hard to stop
Coronavirus risk offers a good reason to quit smoking e-cigarettes, except that’s really hard. And lots of kids were trying even before the pandemic hit.
