Science & Society

  1. Animals

    Whales feast when hatcheries release salmon

    Humpback whales are visiting sites where hatcheries release juvenile salmon in Alaska. It’s a dining bonanza for the huge whales.

    By Susan Milius
  2. Climate

    Analyze This: Seasonal hurricane costs have been rising sharply

    Scientists study past hurricanes to help them predict future risks. Better predictions can help communities prepare for monster storms.

    By Lillian Steenblik Hwang
  3. Science & Society

    Calling scientists of all colors

    More black, Hispanic and Native American scientists and engineers are needed to tackle important problems such as climate change and disease.

    By Roberta Kwok
  4. Oceans

    Cuba: How politics has become a hurdle for its researchers

    Scientists in Cuba face difficulties getting equipment and publishing results due to a U.S.-imposed trade embargo on their country.

    By Bryn Nelson
  5. Health & Medicine

    Racial discrimination may aggravate asthma, study finds

    Kids who suffer racial discrimination are more likely to develop a hard-to-treat form of asthma. New data suggest the stress of bigotry can affect the immune system, potentially making the disease worse.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  6. Health & Medicine

    Mindfulness in eating pays the body big dividends

    Schools are starting to use mindful eating in the classroom — and science shows that it can reduce overeating and improve overall health.

    By Alison Pearce Stevens
  7. Brain

    Many U.S. football players had brain disease, data show

    The brains of more than 200 former football players were donated to science upon their deaths. Signs of severe brain trauma showed up in the vast majority.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  8. Math

    Math isn’t just for boys

    The United States won the International Mathematical Olympiad in 2015 and 2016. The big question: Why wasn’t there even one girl on either year’s team?

    By Rachel Crowell
  9. Archaeology

    DNA from African mummies tie these folk to Middle Easterners

    Ancient DNA extracted from 90 Egyptian mummies reveals genetic links to Greece and the Middle East.

    By Helen Thompson
  10. Health & Medicine

    Think you’re not biased? Think again

    Everyone holds some unconscious bias about certain social groups, even when they don’t mean to. Scientists are learning how people can fight such implicit biases.

    By Alison Pearce Stevens
  11. Genetics

    Cool Jobs: New tools to solve crimes

    Future investigators may identify criminals by the microbes they leave behind or by using DNA-like evidence from strands of their hair.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  12. Health & Medicine

    Are fidget spinners tools or toys?

    Fidget spinners are all the rage. Therapists say toys such as these can help some kids calm down and pay attention.

    By Kathryn Hulick