Category

Natural Science

So Moses extended his hand toward the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state when the sun began to rise. Now the Egyptians were fleeing before it, but the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. The water returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the army of Pharaoh that was coming after the Israelites into the sea not so much as one of them survived! But the Israelites walked on dry ground in the middle of the sea, the water forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. (Exodus, Chapter 14, 27-29). Woodcut after a drawing by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (German painter, 1794 - 1872) from the "Große Haus-Bilder-Bibel (Large House Pictures Bible)" by Dr. Martin Luther. Published by J. Ebner, Ulm (1877)

The Science Behind Weather Miracles

Can science explain legendary weather myths and legends?

Crashing surf on the shore of a Tonga Island

The Once and Future Island

There's a new island on Earth.

Black hole is shining bright red light in the distant cosmos

Scientists Discover Largest Black Hole Ever

Scientists recently discovered the largest black hole ever.

Painting of Mary Anning

Mary Anning and Other Forgotten Female Fossilists

The accomplishments of Mary Anning and other early female fossilists, geologists and natural historians

Construction site

Radiocarbon Dating at 75

Carbon-14, or radiocarbon, was discovered 75 years ago by Martin Kamen and Sam Rubin at the UC-Berkely Radiation Lab

A pocket of rust colored snow in a crater

The Surprising Colors of Snow

In mountain and other wilderness areas where deep snows last well into the spring, the snow may be tinted red, green, orange, or yellow.

A crowded highway in the midst of snow falling

DIY Weather Forecasting

Are there better options for weather forecasting than educated guessing?

Perspective of peering down a library aisle full of books on either side

Research Fraud: When Science Goes Bad

At its worst, science research fraud might have deadly consequences. What can be done about it?

The planet Mars

Is There Life on Mars?

Is there life on Mars? Probably not, but it's likely that there used to be.

Neon vortex

A Universe Where Time Runs Backwards

Running out of time? Not in a universe where time runs backwards.

Editors' Picks

James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni in Conversation

In 1971, two legends of Black letters discussed Black manhood, white racism, the role of the writer, and the responsibility to teach.

Science & Technology

Can We Build a Better Facebook?

Is it time to turn our back on Facebook? And if so, what social network could possibly replace it?

Science & Technology

The Anatomists of Ancient Alexandria

Cultural forces under the Ptolemaic dynasty briefly allowed scholars like Herophilus to practice dissection—and possibly vivisection—on human subjects.

Politics & History

The Genocide Before the Shoah

For a century, Jews in Turkey have maintained a strategic silence when it comes to recognizing the Armenian genocide. Could that be changing?

Politics & History

Wilhelm Reich: Twice Burned

A psychoanalyst and physician, Reich fled the Nazis only to be detained by the US as an “enemy alien” during World War II. And then came the sexual revolution.