A break down of why Venezuela’s oil boom is clashing with a hotter, more fragile planet

A food scientist debunks the vilification of seed oils on social media and explains what research says about them.

Why flu cases are spiking, how AI predicts disease from your sleep, and what surprising biomechanics lie behind woodpeckers’ powerful pecks.

Behind the hype of GLP-1 medications lies complex science, serious side effects and a pharmaceutical arms race.

A look at how evolving national health policies could reshape the future of kids’ care, from vaccines to essential treatments.

Behavioral economist Katy Milkman explains why most New Year’s resolutions fail and shares how science-backed strategies can build habits that last.

Linguist Adam Aleksic explains how viral slang and algorithm-driven speech aren’t destroying language––they’re accelerating its natural evolution.

A mysterious and often debated aspect of human sexuality colloquially known as “squirting” sparks controversy. This episode explores what research reveals.

In honor of SciAm’s 180th birthday, we’re spotlighting the biggest “wait, what?” moments in science history.

As Christmas trees face mounting challenges from climate change, researchers explore solutions to help ensure that a beloved holiday tradition endures in a warming world.

A look back at 2025’s biggest science stories—from federal upheaval and public health setbacks to climate policy reversals and groundbreaking discoveries in space.

Researchers uncover 20 new underwater calls from Hawaii’s endangered monk seals.

A scientist, a journalist and a remarkable scent‑detecting dog race to learn what’s endangering the last southern resident orcas.

This week’s science roundup covers 2025’s near-record heat, a new mpox strain and fresh clues about why hobbits vanished 50,000 years ago.

Journalist Karen Hao unpacks the rise of AI “empires,” their ideological roots, and the hidden environmental and societal costs of OpenAI’s quest for artificial general intelligence.

NASA’s Perseverance rover has gathered groundbreaking Mars samples, but the mission to bring them home is facing serious challenges.

Vaccines coming under fire, satellites crowding the skies, and dogs boosting teen mental health.

This Two-Week Treatment May Reset the Brain

Scientific American unveils its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction books of the year, spotlighting stories that blend science, imagination and unforgettable voices.

Wild turkeys once nearly disappeared, but today they’re thriving.

A new study finds that fluoride is safe for kids’ brain—and linked to slightly better test scores.

Witness the Hidden Beauty of Snowflakes, Radiolarians and Lunar Rocks

As holiday feasts and stress approach, an expert explains how to keep your gut healthy without skipping the stuffing.

Scientific American’s editor in chief David M. Ewalt reflects on a 20-year experiment in e-mailing the future.

From COVID shots to cancer therapy, mRNA is changing medicine.