Technology
The Search for the Next Big Idea in Magnetic Field Mapping
A new competition challenges scientists to innovate on how we map Earth's constantly shifting magnetic field—and make navigation safer...
A Creator of the Ebola Vaccine Has Hope for Slowing Covid-19
Gary Kobinger says a vaccine targeting groups like the elderly could be ready in less than a year, and control measures are slowing...
In Crowded Hospitals, Who Will Get Life-Saving Equipment?
As health care workers prepare for surges of Covid-19 patients, they must grapple with the ethics of rationing critical medical gear.
Why Life During a Pandemic Feels So Surreal
The study of the surreal has mostly concerned Dali's paintings and Kafka’s writings. But there are psychological reasons why every...
Should I Stop Ordering Packages? Is It Ok to Get Takeout?...
Plus: What it means to 'flatten the curve,' and everything else you need to know about the coronavirus.
Charge a Car Battery in 5 Minutes? That’s the Plan
Several companies have built lithium-ion batteries that can fully charge in a matter of minutes. Their next goal: getting these into...
The Mathematics of Predicting the Course of the Coronavirus
Epidemiologists are using complex models to help policymakers get ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the leap from equations to decisions...
Where Did Plants Come From? This Ancient Algae Offers Clues
A tiny seaweed fossil from a billion years ago may help scientists understand how the first plants came ashore and evolved for life...
Business as Usual Is On Hold—Even at the EPA
The Trump administration is adding environmental protection regulations to the list of temporary cancelations due to the pandemic.
Space Photos of the Week: Rovers Taking Selfies—for Science
Instead of likes, these snapshots provide teams with vital information about how spacecraft are faring on interplanetary surfaces.
