You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. A vocal contingent of passengers on planet Earth has convinced themselves ...

There are perhaps many things in science that seem logical to scientists but defy common sense for most laymen. Quantum physics and its theories are one such field, and our very existence might be ...

Oceans are salty because rivers carry minerals like sodium and chloride from rocks on land, gradually adding salt over ...

Scientific information is complicated and full of caveats and clarifications. This, of course, absolutely ruins the shareability of even the most interesting facts and discoveries. So, what’s an ...

Historically, biological reality included the existence of two immutable sexes, the humanity of a late-term fetus, and that childbirth was exclusive to one sex. Today, this reality is exchanged for ...

Sidebar: Just Printing Results Doesn't Validate Them Sidebar: Discouraging Hypotheses Slows Progress What is a scientific fact? How are such facts established? Who are the judges, the referees, the ...

We’re often told to “follow the science” — a comforting phrase that suggests clarity, objectivity, and consensus. But in today’s hyperpolarized world, even science itself has become a political ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...

Russell has a PhD in the history of medicine, violence, and colonialism. His research has explored topics including ethics, science governance, and medical involvement in violent contexts. Russell has ...