Science vs. Pseudoscience: 3 Ways to Spot Bad Science

Pseudoscience is composed of a set of theories, methods, and assumptions that may resemble scientific practices but lack genuine scientific validity. In the some of the worst cases, proponents of pseudoscience intentionally exploit this resemblance to deceive and take advantage of people. However, even when well-meaning, pseudoscience can prevent individuals from getting the help they […]

Are we alone in the universe? 4 essential reads on potential contact with aliens

UFOs usually have non-extraterrestrial origins, but many have urged the government to be more transparent about UFO data. Westend61/Westend61 via Getty Images Mary Magnuson, The Conversation The House subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs met in July 2023 to discuss affairs so foreign that they may not even be of this world. […]


How swarming animals can help humans and AI make better decisions

Starling murmurations form as daylight fades over their roosting sites. Shutterstock / Albert Beukhof Samuel Johnson, University of Oxford The word swarm often carries negative connotations – think biblical plagues of locusts or high streets full of last-minute shoppers during the Christmas rush. However, swarming is essential for the survival of many animal collectives. And […]

Cats first finagled their way into human hearts and homes thousands of years ago – here’s how

Who run the world? Cats! Grace Cary/Moment via Getty Images Jonathan Losos, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go on safari in southern Africa. One of the greatest thrills was going out at night looking for predators on the prowl: lions, leopards, hyenas. […]

Social media can in fact be made better: Research shows it is possible to reward users for sharing accurate information instead of misinformation

We feel rewarded by reactions to information we share, and that can lead to good and bad habits. Linka A Odom/DigitalVision via Getty Images Ian Anderson, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Gizem Ceylan, Yale University, and Wendy Wood, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Is social media designed to reward […]

Measuring helium in distant galaxies may give physicists insight into why the universe exists

New measurements from Japan’s Subaru telescope have helped researchers study the matter-antimatter asymmetry problem. Javier Zayas Photography/Moment via Getty Anne-Katherine Burns, University of California, Irvine When theoretical physicists like myself say that we’re studying why the universe exists, we sound like philosophers. But new data collected by researchers using Japan’s Subaru telescope has revealed insights […]

Unraveling Cancer through PET Scans: Visualizing the Invisible Menace [Science Video]

When a person gets a PET scan to find tumors and see how much cancer has spread, the machine is actually detecting sugar. This is because cancer has a sweet tooth, and this discovery, called the Warburg effect, could help us create better medicines and treatments for cancer. To learn more about how PET scans […]

First Room-Temperature Superconductor Announced

South Korean scientists have allegedly created a superconductor that works at room temperature and regular pressure. This is a big deal because superconductors transmit electricity with zero resistance and have special magnetic properties that are very useful in technology. Normally, superconductors require extreme cold temperatures, but this new one can apparently work outside the lab […]

Can Gray Hair be Reversed? Exploring the Possibility of Reversal Through Science

Researchers have successfully pinpointed the processes responsible for causing gray hair and conducted experiments aimed at its reversal. Surprisingly, some of these potential solutions have been available for several decades. Watch this episode of SciShow to learn more about how one day, people with grey hair could go reverse their greying condition.