Science & Society
- Climate
Explainer: Weather and weather prediction
The sun and Earth combine to create the planet’s weather systems. And science is getting good at predicting what they’ll do.
- Health & Medicine
The power of ‘like’
A single “like” on a social-media post can make it much more popular, which can influence how teens behave.
- Health & Medicine
Social media: What’s not to like?
Social media can help teens connect with friends and family. Sometimes, however, it may leave them feeling depressed or isolated.
- Science & Society
Social networks can learn about you through your friends
Social networks can gather information from users that let them create “shadow profiles” of others — even people not on the network.
- Earth
Air pollution takes a toll on solar energy
Air pollution can rob the light needed for solar panels to make electricity. In India and China, the percent solar energy losses can reach double digits.
- Brain
Understanding body clocks brings three a Nobel Prize
Three American men will share this year’s Nobel prize for physiology or medicine. The award recognizes their contributions to understanding the workings of the body’s biological clock.
- Science & Society
Explainer: The Nobel Prize
Every year, Nobel Prize winners are front page news for their discoveries. But what is a Nobel Prize and why does it matter? We explain.
- Archaeology
Clay reveals secrets of China’s mysterious terra-cotta army
Production of the famous terra-cotta troops found in ancient Chinese emperor’s tomb was made possible by a specialized system of clay manufacturing.
- Computing
Video games level up life skills
A new study shows that playing video games can sharpen important life skills, including communication, adaptability and resourcefulness.
- Science & Society
In an era of fake news, students must act like journalists
In an era when the library may be about the last place students go to do research, news literacy — knowing how to vet sources and check facts — is becoming more important for kids than ever.
- Science & Society
Fake news: How not to fall for it
Schools don’t always teach kids how to tell fact from fiction on the internet. But news literacy is more important now than ever.
- Science & Society
Fact checking: How to think like a journalist
In an era when much research can be done online, knowing how to assess what ‘facts’ to trust is essential. Unfortunately, it’s also becoming harder than ever.
