How black holes morphed from theory to reality
PODCAST: Physicists were mostly skeptical back when the idea of them emerged a century ago from Einstein’s work. The evolution of the evidence, from circumstantial to conclusive, is the quintessential story of science.
Jan. 11, 2021 • ~22 min
podcast space-astronomy physical-world
How researchers are making do in the time of Covid
The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered labs and sidelined scientists all over the world. Here’s a look at how some of them have coped.
Dec. 2, 2020 • ~21 min
public-health coronavirus psychology society space-astronomy living-world physical-world the-mind reset special-report-reset
Rising to meet the tide
As the threat of coastal flooding grows, scientists are responding with an inundation of data. Faster and more accurate forecasts can save lives and property.
Nov. 11, 2020 • ~12 min
climate-change food-environment physical-world
Seeking surprises in comets and asteroids
Exploring small bodies in the solar system provides clues to origins
Oct. 16, 2020 • ~18 min
space-astronomy physical-world
The danger lurking in an African lake
Kivu is no ordinary lake, with dense depths packed with methane and carbon dioxide gas. Its features hold aquatic puzzles, explosive hazards and the capacity to provide valuable energy.
Oct. 7, 2020 • ~11 min
story-behind-a-picture physical-world
Why solar geoengineering should be part of the climate crisis solution
The controversial technology of reflecting sunlight away from the planet could help blunt the worst impacts of climate change
Sept. 16, 2020 • ~15 min
climate-change technology qa food-environment physical-world
Why some artificial intelligence is smart until it’s dumb
Machine learning has found uses in fields as diverse as particle physics and radiology, and its influence is growing. But so is the understanding of its limits.
Aug. 27, 2020 • ~14 min
robotics technology physical-world in-review
The origin of mud
For most of Earth’s history, hardly any of the mucky stuff existed on land. It finally started piling up around 458 million years ago, changing life on the planet forever.
Aug. 17, 2020 • ~10 min
living-world physical-world
Searching high and low for the origins of life
Researchers think they’re getting warmer: They’ve created amino acids and primitive membranes by simulating conditions found at scalding vents on the ocean floor
July 21, 2020 • ~10 min
living-world physical-world
/
4