Scientific American
@sciam.bsky.social
📤 30476
📥 55
📝 640
A legacy of discovery. A future of innovation.
A fossil belonging to an ancient hominin that lived seven million years ago bears the hallmarks of bipedalism, according to a new study
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Earliest Human Ancestor May Have Walked on Two Legs
A fossil belonging to an ancient hominin that lived seven million years ago bears the hallmarks of bipedalism, according to a new study
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/earliest-human-ancestor-may-have-walked-on-two-legs/
about 8 hours ago
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2026 should be a banner year for space science and exploration
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Here’s What to Get Excited about in Space in 2026
From crewed lunar voyages to flight tests of fully reusable rockets and launches of new orbital telescopes studying the outer limits of the cosmos, 2026 should be a banner year for space science and e...
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/these-are-the-most-exciting-space-science-events-for-2026/
about 9 hours ago
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Just a few days left! Scientific American subscriptions are ✨ up to 50% off ✨ right now at
sciam.com/getsciam/
. Get yourself (or a loved one) the science world's best writing and reporting, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, and much more.
about 11 hours ago
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The “Seven Sisters” of the Pleiades are part of a much larger complex that can help reveal our galaxy’s deep history
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Astronomers Have Discovered the Pleiades’ Secret Stellar Family
The “Seven Sisters” of the Pleiades are part of a much larger complex that can help reveal our galaxy’s deep history
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-pleiades-star-cluster-has-a-secret-stellar-family/
about 12 hours ago
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From immune cell therapies to measles outbreaks to federal attacks on public health, these are some of the health topics we’ll be watching in the coming year
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7 Important Health Stories to Watch in 2026
From immune cell therapies to measles outbreaks to federal attacks on public health, these are some of the health topics we’ll be watching next year
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/7-important-health-stories-well-be-following-in-2026/
about 15 hours ago
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Instead of using a single muscle to control the action, woodpeckers activate every muscle in their bodies and let out short, explosive grunts with each strike
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How Woodpeckers Turn Their Entire Bodies into Pecking Machines
These birds’ drilling approach is more like extreme tennis playing than weight lifting
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-woodpeckers-turn-their-entire-bodies-into-pecking-machines/
about 16 hours ago
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Astronomers just measured the mass of a free-floating planet without a star for the first time
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Scientists Just Clocked a ‘Rogue’ Planet the Size of Saturn
Astronomers just measured the mass of a free-floating planet without a star for the first time
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-just-clocked-a-rogue-planet-the-size-of-saturn/
1 day ago
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The new year has arrived, and the Quadrantid meteor shower is coming in hot. Here’s how to see this often-spectacular shower at its peak
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Watch the First Meteor Shower of 2026 Light Up the Sky This Weekend
The new year has arrived, and the Quadrantid meteor shower is coming in hot. Here’s how to see this often-spectacular shower at its peak
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-see-the-first-fiery-meteor-shower-of-2026/
1 day ago
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The Scientific American team is full of avid readers--here are 67 books our staffers loved this year
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The Scientific American Staff’s Favorite Books of 2025
Here are the 67 books Scientific American staffers couldn’t put down this year, from fantasy epics to gripping nonfiction
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-scientific-american-staffs-favorite-books-of-2025/
2 days ago
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Space Forge plans to manufacture semiconductors from space—without the need for humans
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The Push to Make Semiconductors in Space Just Took a Serious Leap Forward
Space Forge plans to manufacture semiconductors from space—without the need for humans
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-push-to-make-semiconductors-in-space-just-took-a-serious-leap-forward/
2 days ago
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From glowing neurons to newborn memories, here are the most fascinating brain discoveries of 2025
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The 10 Most Mind-Blowing Discoveries About the Brain in 2025
From glowing neurons to newborn memories, here are the most fascinating brain discoveries of 2025
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-mind-blowing-brain-discoveries-from-2025/
2 days ago
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A galaxy cluster discovered on New Year’s Eve in 2020 shines in a new image from NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory
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Cheers! Ring in the New Year with Glittering ‘Champagne Cluster’ Image
A galaxy cluster discovered on New Year’s Eve in 2020 shines in a new image from NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cheers-nasa-rings-in-the-new-year-with-sparkling-champagne-cluster-image/
2 days ago
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A subscription to Scientific American means the science world's best writing and reporting, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, and much more. Best of all, subscriptions are ✨ up to 50% off ✨ right now at
sciam.com/getsciam/
2 days ago
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Whether space, health, technology or environment, here are the issues in science that the editors of Scientific American are focusing on for 2026
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Science Carries On. Here Are Our Top Topics for 2026
Whether space, health, technology or environment, here are the issues in science that the editors of Scientific American are focusing on for 2026
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-carries-on-here-are-our-top-topics-for-2026/
2 days ago
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Understanding what makes alcohol so potent can help people avoid getting drunker than they mean to or suffering a painful hangover the day after
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How to Avoid Holiday Hangovers, According to Science
Scientific American asked experts about the factors that shape how drunk someone gets during a night out and how bad a hangover they might have the next morning
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-avoid-holiday-hangovers-according-to-science/
3 days ago
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From an interstellar comet to breathtaking auroras and from brand-new rockets to iconic space telescopes, here are some of our favorite images from the cosmos in 2025
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The Most Jaw-Dropping Space Images of 2025, Revealed
From an interstellar comet to breathtaking auroras and from brand-new rockets to iconic space telescopes, here are some of our favorite images from the cosmos in 2025
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-best-space-photos-of-2025-reveal-the-most-jaw-dropping-views-of-the/
3 days ago
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Looking for something to read? Check out Scientific American's 10 best nonfiction books of 2025
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Scientific American’s Best Nonfiction of 2025
The 10 best nonfiction books of 2025, from the history of replaceable body parts to our AI future
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-americans-best-nonfiction-of-2025/
3 days ago
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Thinking about welcoming the new year with a polar plunge? Here's what science has to say about the practice
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Is Cold-Water Swimming Good for You?
Though sometimes overstated, the benefits of cold-water swimming are slowly becoming clearer
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-cold-water-swimming-good-for-you/
3 days ago
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From advancements in male birth control to the science of supplements, Scientific American highlights some of the most fascinating health and medicine stories of 2025
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10 Discoveries That Transformed How We Thought about Health in 2025
From advancements in male birth control to the science of supplements, Scientific American highlights some of the most fascinating health and medicine stories of 2025
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-transformational-health-discoveries-of-2025/
3 days ago
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If your motivation is flagging, try giving advice to someone who is struggling with a similar issue as you are
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New Year's Resolutions Are Notoriously Slippery, but Science Can Help You Keep Them
You can change your behavior in lasting ways by changing how you frame your situation, explains behavioral scientist Ayelet Fishbach in her new book
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-years-resolutions-are-notoriously-slippery-but-science-can-help-you-keep-them/
3 days ago
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Astronomers combined data from NASA’s JWST and Chandra X-ray Observatory to create a stunning new image of two merging spiral galaxies
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Colliding Spiral Galaxies Captured in Sparkling Detail
Astronomers combined data from NASA’s JWST and Chandra X-ray Observatory to create a stunning new image of two merging spiral galaxies
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-telescopes-capture-colliding-spiral-galaxies-in-sparkling-detail/
3 days ago
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From the first sighting of a colossal squid in the wild to a seriously goofy octopus, 2025 delivered some astounding photos from the ocean’s depths
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6 Otherworldly Deep-Sea Images from 2025
From the first sighting of a colossal squid in the wild to a seriously goofy octopus, 2025 delivered some astounding photos from the ocean’s depths
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/6-otherworldly-deep-sea-images-from-2025/
3 days ago
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Reminder--it's not too late to save ✨ up to 50% off ✨ a Scientific American subscription for yourself or a loved one!
3 days ago
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A shark that lived 115 million years ago surpassed the size of modern-day great whites, paleontologists discovered
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15 Million Years before the Megalodon, This Giant Ancient Shark Prowled the Oceans
A humungous shark that lived 115 million years ago surpassed the size of modern-day great whites, paleontologists discovered
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/15-million-years-before-the-megalodon-this-giant-ancient-shark-prowled-the/
3 days ago
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Hidden Fibonacci numbers, a new shape and the search for a grand unified theory of mathematics are among our choices for most exciting findings of the year
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10 Fascinating Math Findings of 2025
Hidden Fibonacci numbers, a new shape and the search for a grand unified theory of mathematics are among our choices for most exciting findings of the year
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-top-10-math-discoveries-of-2025/
3 days ago
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New medications are in the pipeline that could help people win their battles against addictive substances, including opioids
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Could Next-Generation Medicines Help Solve the Opioid Crisis?
New medications are in the pipeline that could help people win their battles against addictive substances, including opioids
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/could-next-generation-medicines-help-solve-the-opioid-crisis/
3 days ago
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The brutal respiratory infection has infected tens of thousands and killed at least 13 people in the U.S. in 2025
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Whooping Cough Deaths Rise in U.S. as Surge in Infections Continues
The brutal respiratory infection has infected tens of thousands and killed at least 13 people in the U.S. in 2025
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whooping-cough-deaths-rise-in-u-s-as-surge-in-infections-continues/
3 days ago
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Scientific American asked experts about the factors that shape how drunk someone gets during a night out and how bad a hangover they might have the next morning
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How to Avoid Holiday Hangovers, According to Science
Scientific American asked experts about the factors that shape how drunk someone gets during a night out and how bad a hangover they might have the next morning
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-avoid-holiday-hangovers-according-to-science/
3 days ago
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Health officials have agreed to assess pending medical research grants after a Trump administration antidiversity purge put them on ice
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NIH Agrees to Evaluate Stalled Scientific Grants
Health officials have agreed to assess pending medical research grants after a Trump administration antidiversity purge put them on ice
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nih-agrees-to-evaluate-stalled-scientific-grants/
3 days ago
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NASA’s new boss Jared Isaacman hinted that he could break with Texas lawmakers’ push to move iconic space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston
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NASA’s New Chief Hints Iconic Space Shuttle Might Not Be Moving to Texas After All
NASA’s new boss Jared Isaacman hinted that he could break with Texas lawmakers’ push to move iconic space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-jared-isaacman-iconic-space-shuttle-discovery-not-moving-texas/
3 days ago
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reposted by
Scientific American
Jackie Flynn Mogensen
4 days ago
Excited to say that today was my first day as a Breaking News Reporter at Scientific American! Send your story ideas, tips, fun facts, etc. to me: Signal: @jackiefmogensen.01
[email protected]
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If you're pondering a new year's resolution for 2026, consider this unusual option: letting go of an unfulfilled life goal
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The Best New Year's Resolution Might Be to Just Let Go of an Unfulfilled Life Goal
Leaving aside a cherished objective may benefit psychological and even physical health
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-best-new-years-resolution-might-be-to-just-let-go-of-an-unfulfilled-life-goal/
4 days ago
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Scientific American spoke with an appetitive neuroscientist about whether food addiction is real, whether certain types of foods might have more addictive qualities and how related eating disorders can be addressed
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What Makes Ultraprocessed Foods Addictive?
A neuroscientist explains how highly processed foods may be key to “food addiction.” She also reveals some solutions
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-ultraprocessed-foods-addictive/
4 days ago
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From disaster response to information sciences, here are some topics the staff of Scientific American will be watching in the new year
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Science Carries On. Here Are Our Top Topics for 2026
Whether space, health, technology or environment, here are the issues in science that the editors of Scientific American are focusing on for 2026
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-carries-on-here-are-our-top-topics-for-2026/
4 days ago
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Are you planning a polar plunge to welcome the new year?
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Is Cold-Water Swimming Good for You?
Though sometimes overstated, the benefits of cold-water swimming are slowly becoming clearer
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-cold-water-swimming-good-for-you/
4 days ago
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reposted by
Scientific American
Andrea Thompson
4 days ago
With only a couple of days left in 2025, here are some stories we wrote
@sciam.bsky.social
looking back at some of the fun and exciting scientific news from the year, starting with the brain: (by
@parshallison.bsky.social
)
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The 10 Most Mind-Blowing Discoveries About the Brain in 2025
From glowing neurons to newborn memories, here are the most fascinating brain discoveries of 2025
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-mind-blowing-brain-discoveries-from-2025/
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From crewed lunar voyages to flight tests of fully reusable rockets and launches of new orbital telescopes studying the outer limits of the cosmos, 2026 should be a banner year for space science and exploration
loading . . .
Here’s What to Get Excited about in Space in 2026
From crewed lunar voyages to flight tests of fully reusable rockets and launches of new orbital telescopes studying the outer limits of the cosmos, 2026 should be a banner year for space science and e...
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/these-are-the-most-exciting-space-science-events-for-2026/
4 days ago
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From immune cell therapies to measles outbreaks to federal attacks on public health, these are some of the health topics we’ll be watching next year
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7 Important Health Stories to Watch in 2026
From immune cell therapies to measles outbreaks to federal attacks on public health, these are some of the health topics we’ll be watching next year
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/7-important-health-stories-well-be-following-in-2026/
5 days ago
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Dynamic mounds made of methane at a depth of some 3,640 meters act like “frozen reefs” for a bizarre array of deep-sea creatures, new observations reveal
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Bizarre Ecosystem Discovered More Than Two Miles beneath Arctic Ocean
Dynamic mounds made of methane at a depth of some 3,640 meters act like “frozen reefs” for a bizarre array of deep-sea creatures, new observations reveal
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bizarre-ecosystem-discovered-more-than-two-miles-beneath-arctic-ocean/
5 days ago
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From an interview with author Mary Roach to a chat with cardiologist Eric Topol, here are 12 of the most eye-opening conversations we had this year
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12 of the Best Interviews Scientific American Did in 2025—on AI, Headaches, and More
From an interview with author Mary Roach to a chat with cardiologist Eric Topol, here are 12 of the most eye-opening conversations we had this year
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/12-of-the-best-interviews-scientific-american-did-in-2025/
6 days ago
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From the first sighting of a colossal squid in the wild to a seriously goofy octopus, 2025 delivered some astounding photos from the ocean’s depths
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6 Otherworldly Deep-Sea Images from 2025
From the first sighting of a colossal squid in the wild to a seriously goofy octopus, 2025 delivered some astounding photos from the ocean’s depths
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/6-otherworldly-deep-sea-images-from-2025/
6 days ago
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reposted by
Scientific American
Phil Plait
7 days ago
How far away is the most distant galaxy ever seen? Turns out these kinds of records are actually kinda important.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
[Pssst: I wrote this!] 🧪🔭
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What’s the Most Distant Galaxy? And Why Does It Matter?
Record-breaking objects can tell us about the most powerful events in the cosmos—sometimes
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whats-the-most-distant-galaxy/
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How are you actively resting in the last days of this year?
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Why Active Rest Is Important During the Holidays
Sleep is often the first thing that many people associate with rest, but humans also require restorative downtime when awake
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-active-rest-is-important-during-the-holidays/
7 days ago
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Immense progress in gene editing, drug discovery and conservation are just some of the reasons to be cheerful about 2025
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Seven Feel-Good Science Stories to Restore Your Faith in 2025
Immense progress in gene editing, drug discovery and conservation are just some of the reasons to be cheerful about 2025
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/seven-feel-good-science-stories-to-restore-your-faith-in-2025/
8 days ago
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Finish up gifting in a snap with ✨ up to 50% off ✨ Scientific American subscriptions!
10 days ago
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Conversations are a key tool for reimagining the world we want together, and curious exploration can make those conversations successful even when people don't agree
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Good Conversations Don’t Require Everybody to Agree, Neuroscience Shows
Brain imaging is illuminating the patterns linked to productive, positive dialogue, and those insights could help people connect with others
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/good-conversations-dont-require-everybody-to-agree-neuroscience-shows/
10 days ago
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The Euclid Space Telescope is decking the halls with boughs of starlight
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Dark Matter Telescope Captures a Sparkling Galaxy Merger
The Euclid Space Telescope is decking the halls with boughs of starlight
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sparkling-galaxy-merger-shines-in-new-euclid-space-telescope-image/
10 days ago
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reposted by
Scientific American
Meghan Bartels
10 days ago
If you'll forgive a little self-indulgence, I wanted to share some of my favorites 🧪 stories from a long year. I'll start with the one I'm most proud of--a piece digging into the cost of bird flu among wild animals, something I'd been wanting to cover for two years (🧵)
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The Bird Flu Story No One Is Telling
Bird flu fears have focused on the poultry and dairy industries and human health. But wild animals are threatened, too—at scales no one fully understands
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bird-flu-is-killing-wildlife-and-experts-fear-the-ecological-toll/
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Today on the pod: as Christmas trees face mounting challenges from climate change, researchers explore solutions to help ensure that a beloved holiday tradition endures in a warming world.
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Climate Change Is Coming for Christmas Trees. Here’s What Researchers Are Doing to Protect Them
As Christmas trees face mounting challenges from climate change, researchers explore solutions to help ensure that a beloved holiday tradition endures in a warming world.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/what-researchers-are-doing-to-protect-christmas-trees-in-a-warming-world/
10 days ago
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If you don't follow us on TikTok, here's what you've missed out on this year--and we're right here to hit that button 😉
www.tiktok.com/@scientifica...
(These also get posted to our Instagram and YouTube if you prefer to follow there!)
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Watch Scientific American's Favorite Science Videos of 2025
On TikTok and other short-form video platforms, Scientific American explored the underground labs of Greenland, brand-new colors and the perfect way to make eggs
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/our-7-best-science-tiktoks-you-need-to-watch-right-now/
10 days ago
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