Latest Articles

Scientists Map 5,000 New Ocean Viruses

May 21, 2015

In the few decades since viruses were first found in the oceans, scientists have only been able to identify a handful of species. A new survey has uncovered nearly all the rest.

Will Computers Redefine the Roots of Math?

May 19, 2015

The Fields medalist Vladimir Voevodsky has died at 51. This 2015 article describes his computer-aided quest to eliminate human error and rewrite the century-old rules underlying all of mathematics.

The Particle That Broke a Cosmic Speed Limit

May 14, 2015

Physicists are beginning to unravel the mysteries of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, particles accelerated by the most powerful forces in the universe.

Animal Copies Reveal Roots of Individuality

May 12, 2015

Genetically identical animals raised under similar conditions can make very different choices. These distinctions are helping researchers map the biological basis of individuality.

A Surprise for Evolution in Giant Tree of Life

May 5, 2015

The largest evolutionary tree ever compiled leads researchers to conclude that chance mutation — not natural selection — drives the development of new species.

Interactive: What Is Space?

April 30, 2015

Imagine the fabric of space-time peeled back layer by layer.

How Quantum Pairs Stitch Space-Time

April 28, 2015

New tools may reveal how quantum information builds the structure of space.

Wormholes Untangle a Black Hole Paradox

April 24, 2015

A bold new idea aims to link two famously discordant descriptions of nature. In doing so, it may also reveal how space-time owes its existence to the spooky connections of quantum information.

Q&A

Concerns of an Artificial Intelligence Pioneer

April 21, 2015

Computer scientist Stuart Russell wants to ensure that our increasingly intelligent machines remain aligned with human values.

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