The human immune system is a marvel of complexity, coordinating the activities of many different cell types to try to protect the body from invaders.

Contradictory findings persist in social sciences, undermining validity, reliability, and public trust in research. Practices such as open science cannot fully address this problem.

For most of human history, it was common for societies to have flexible social hierarchies and practices. This adaptability allowed humans to thrive in different environments.

A century ago, The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes trial kicked off what is now thought of as America’s 100-year culture war centering on evolution and creationism.

A patient with serious heart disease might go without noticeable symptoms for a long time.

Detecting the Dark Ages signal could help answer some of the biggest questions in cosmology, such as the nature of dark energy and the origin of the large-scale structure.

People have witnessed masting since time immemorial; after all, it's pretty obvious when you're tripping over nuts strewn all over the path some years and you find barely one or two in others.

Adult ADHD diagnoses have become more common as the definition of the condition has broadened. However, treatment of “light ADHD” does not constitute overdiagnosis.

Cognitive science meets the classroom. We're talking with Dr. Dan Willingham—psychologist, professor, and author of Why Don’t Students Like School?—about what it really means to think for yourself in today’s world. 🎧 From "Wired for This" — full episode available now!

The Great Green Wall is an ambitious project to cultivate the Sahel region, which separates the dry Sahara Desert in North Africa from the wet savannas in Central Africa.

One thing that can make public discourse feel biased, polarized, or hostile, is our tendency to connect with people who already share our values. "Wired For This" is now streaming! open.spotify.com/episode/0vPV...

We’ve alluded to it already, but digital technology is fundamentally changing how we take in and process information. This is a relatively new field of research, but scientists like Jason have already made some surprising observations. Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/0vPV...

David Baron’s newest book explores how Mars captivated Americans in the early 20th century.

Why does some information seem to "stick," while other things seem to go in one ear and out the other? Listen to the most recent episode of "Wired for This" now: open.spotify.com/episode/0vPV...

Messor ibericus ant queens can clone males of another species (M. structor) as a colony survival strategy.

It’s one of the great sorrows and mysteries of our species: How humans are so adept at assuming our independence and superiority, and how easily we forget that partnerships with the rest of the living world not only exist, but are essential to our very survival.

Flatworms encompass a wide array of species, but one especially intriguing group is the planarians. These worms are found in various habitats, largely in freshwater and saltwater, but some have also adapted to land.

Psychiatrists began testing whether psychedelic drugs, such as LSD and mescaline, could be used to treat mental health conditions in the mid-20th century.

The cosmic microwave background (CMB), relic radiation from 380,000 years after the Big Bang, is our oldest record of temperature and density conditions from the universe’s infancy.

Technology is not just changing, it's transforming the way we take in and process information. 🔊 In this episode, Jason Lodge and Philipp Lorenz-Spreen discuss how we consume, process, and share information, and how these practices are changing due to our relationships with technology.

With the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first known exoplanet around a Sun-like star coming up next week, my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science fact is a great primer on all things exoplanets, and how we interpret them through science fiction.

In the most recent episode of “Wired for This,” Shereen Chaudhry shares how we can convey sincerity to skeptical listeners. Listen to the full episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/7bjB...

Difficult conversations are everywhere—and they don’t have to cause harm. Behavioral scientists Emma Levine and Shereen Chaudhry share how honesty, empathy, and awareness can turn conflict into connection.

The large-scale structure of the universe was set by the tiniest of forces—quantum fluctuations—during the incredibly brief period of rapid expansion that occurred just after the Big Bang.

In this installment of the American Scientist lunchtime seminar series, Science by the Slice, Ryan Emanuel discusses his book, On the Swamp: Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice (2024, UNC Press).

Difficult conversations are everywhere—and they don’t have to cause harm. Behavioral scientists Emma Levine and Shereen Chaudhry share how honesty, empathy, and awareness can turn conflict into connection.

Creating small, portable radios had the unexpected outcome of influencing youth culture, as teenagers could now listen to their choice of music away from adult supervision.

A common problem is that we tend to try to fix problematic noise, rather than anticipating and addressing sound in our designs of buildings, cities, and products. Read more of K. Anthony Hoover's review:

Maintaining sensors on the oceanic floor is difficult and expensive, but monitoring remains vital for conducting research, mitigating risks, and measuring climate change and tectonic activity.

The most important statistic for any type of photovoltaic technology is the efficiency percentage by which it converts solar energy into electricity.

What makes temporal landmarks like the New Year so powerful when it comes to behavioral change? Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/3o0t...

What makes temporal landmarks like the New Year so powerful when it comes to behavioral change? Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/3o0t...

Catch up on the latest episode of "Wired for This," in which host Celia Ford interviews Paul A. O'Keefe, social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at the University of Exeter Business School. Listen now: www.americanscientist.org/blog/from-th...

Curious minds, rejoice! The newest episode of "Wired for This" just dropped.

When Star Trek first aired in 1966, it posited a universe bursting with planetary possibilities—a bold move at a time before anyone knew of a single planet beyond our Solar System. Read more of Michael L. Wong's review of "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact."

Understanding scientific explanation can help engineers frame what questions must be answered for the use of AI to be considered on strong scientific footing.

Thank you to all the scientists who sent in letters requested in our July-August issue. We're still accepting letters about why your science is important. Read more letters: buff.ly/giXAdsk

Curious minds, rejoice! The newest episode of "Wired for This" just dropped.

Woven between patient stories are Anand’s critiques of the medical establishment’s treatment of patients, from the language used in medical notes to the showmanship in which doctors have engaged. Read more of Dawn M. McBride's review now:

Catch up on the latest episode of "Wired for This," in which host Celia Ford interviews Paul A. O'Keefe, social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at the University of Exeter Business School. Listen now: www.americanscientist.org/blog/from-th...

What exactly are mindsets? In this clip of “Wired for This,” Paul O’Keefe breaks down the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. #psychology #WFT Listen to the full episode here: www.americanscientist.org/blog/the-sci...

The tail muscles of seahorses differ from those of most other prehensile animals.

What drives us forward? What holds us back? How do we navigate a world full of contradiction + complexity? Check out "Wired for This"—a new podcast from @americanscientist.org exploring the psychology and neuroscience that shape our choices & behavior 🎙️ americanscientist.org/article/wired-for-this

Life's moments of kismet blow my mind. At the same time that my kid is struggling with transitioning to middle school, @americanscientist.org drops a podcast about growth mindsets. Check out the first episode of our new podcast series, Wired for This! www.americanscientist.org/blog/from-th...

I wrote a review of Keith Cooper's new book "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact" for @americanscientist.org!

Thank you to all the scientists who sent in letters requested in our July-August issue. We're still accepting letters about why your science is important. We've pulled a quote from Amanda Brock Morales at University of North Carolina at Charlotte: www.americanscientist.org/article/my-s...

The rules of baseball are quite particular, but the regulations governing the shape of Major League Baseball (MLB) parks are surprisingly flexible.

Have you listened to the first episode of our latest "Wired for This" series yet? Meet the host, Celia Ford. Celia interviewed Paul O'Keefe, a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at the University of Exeter Business School.

🧠 New from the American Scientist Podcast: Wired for This — exploring the psychology and neuroscience of how we think, believe, change, and connect. 🎙

Scientific institutions and societies need to have a stronger focus and develop new standards for protecting their affiliated scientists who might experience such threats.