Science & Society

  1. Animals

    Our shocking eel story wins international prize

    Roberta Kwok’s story on the shocking (and surprising) behaviors of electric eels was honored with a win for outstanding science writing.

    By Janet Raloff
  2. Science & Society

    Broadcom MASTERS awards honor science, invention and teamwork

    Each year, 30 middle school science fair winners work together to show off their science knowledge and innovation skills.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  3. Computing

    How computers get out the vote

    Increasingly computers play a role in voting. Here’s why that concerns scientists, even as they acknowledge that computers may be increasingly essential.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  4. Humans

    Big Viking families got away with murder

    The most deadly Vikings came from families that were big enough to discourage revenge.

    By Bruce Bower
  5. Science & Society

    Women in science are living life by the numbers

    These women show that math, physics and technology are definitely a girl thing.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  6. Health & Medicine

    Pokémon no! Playing the popular game while driving is risky

    Dangerous moves: Over a recent 10-day period, tens of thousands of people were playing Pokémon Go while driving — and tweeting about it.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  7. Science & Society

    Women in science study earth and sky

    These scientists rock. Meet scientists who study snowstorms, earthquakes, fossils and more.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  8. Climate

    Warming turns Alaskan villagers into climate migrants

    Arctic warming is causing such severe erosion that an Alaskan coastal village has voted to abandon its shrinking island.

    By Elizabeth Grossman
  9. Science & Society

    Women in ecology, from forests to the sea

    These women study everything from the fish in the sea to the bugs on the land, and how all parts of an ecosystem come together.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  10. Health & Medicine

    Measles in the Americas: Going, going — gone!

    The Americas have at last shed a major childhood scourge: measles. The viral infection used to kill hundreds of children each year. Now the hemisphere only sees cases spread by travelers.

    By Meghan Rosen
  11. Brain

    One day, computers may decode your dreams

    Scientists are learning how to translate brain activity into words and thoughts. This may one day allow people to control devices with their minds.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  12. Brain

    Explainer: How to read brain activity

    Electricity underlies the chattering of brain cells. Here’s how scientists eavesdrop on those conversations.

    By Kathryn Hulick