The Flu Pandemic of 1918, As Reported in 1918
The Spanish Influenza pandemic 100 years ago was the most lethal global disease outbreak since the Black Death. What were people thinking at the time?
What Awaits on the Dark Side of the Moon?
An unmanned Chinese probe will be exploring the moon's far side in 2018. The side that faces away from the earth differs significantly from the familiar face of the moon. So why are the two sides so different?
Why Air Pollution Is a Socioeconomic Issue
Too much pollution can pose a health risk to anyone, but whether it is lethal or not mostly depends on the person's underlying health—and economic—status.
Rereading the Story of the Crack Epidemic
As policymakers seek solutions for the ongoing opioid epidemic, it's worth remembering how sensationalist reporting can lead to troubling responses.
Better Writing Begins with the Right Tools
Word processing software has not only changed the way we write; it's changed the way we read. It pays to think about what we want from our writing tools.
A Primer on e-DNA
eDNA is DNA that an animal sloughs off into its environment through feces, shedding, or lost skin. The technology can detect invasive species.
Why Facebook Can Be Good For Your Health
Is Facebook bad for your mental health? Researchers have been studying the profound impact social bonds can have on health since the 1970s.
The Surprising Frequency of Interspecies Mating
Sometimes different but related species can reproduce. When two different species successfully mate, the resulting offspring is called a hybrid.
Do We Still Need to Worry About the Hole in the Ozone Layer?
The world tends to forget about the annual ozone hole that appears over Antarctica, though we're facing huge and complex environmental concerns.
Testing Americans’ Tolerance for Surveillance
What would have been considered a dystopian level of surveillance a mere twenty years ago has now become the norm. Why don't internet users care?