Science & Tech

Science & Tech

Explore the discoveries that reveal how the world works, alongside the technologies that extend, reshape, and sometimes challenge what’s possible.

Construction equipment stands poised near a large, partially demolished dam wall, signaling the ongoing dam removal process beside a pool of green water.
Retrofitting America's aging dams for hydropower — while removing ecologically harmful ones — may be a productive path forward.
Astronomical image of a young star system with labeled features: jet, conical outflow, dark lane, possible spiral, disk, tail, and a scale marking 300 astronomical units.
A young, nearby, massive star, whose protoplanetary disk appears perfectly edge-on, was just viewed by JWST, with staggering implications.
The Earth is partially illuminated against a dark space background, showing glowing city lights and a blue atmosphere.
A new SETI study shows how far the field of technosignatures has come.
planetary nebula
Historically, astronomers have often named things creatively, bizarrely, and often inaccurately. But which terms are the most egregious?
A sunflower with a detailed close-up of its center, showcasing spiral patterns intertwined with mathematics. Fibonacci sequence and mathematical diagrams elegantly overlay a serene blue background.
The artistic and the mathematical mind are not so far apart.
Five men, immersed in conversation, sit indoors on a blanket, eating from metal bowls. Despite the cloud of ignorance surrounding them about modern science, they share stories and laughter as a red bowl rests prominently at their center.
If we wish to tackle the very real problems society faces, we require expert-level knowledge. Valuing it starts earlier than we realize.
Collage featuring scientific diagrams, two black-and-white portraits of men, wheat plants, and "Solutionism" text in the center.
We need to fully acknowledge problems, while vigorously pursuing solutions. Call it “solutionism.”
An athlete skillfully executes the Fosbury Flop, soaring gracefully in mid-air over the high jump bar, while colorful flags flutter and spectators watch in awe.
The story of how the world high jump record was smashed in 1968 contains golden lessons for business and innovation.
super earth mini neptune transit spectroscopy
Seeking life beyond the Solar System, we first look to the closest star systems with Earth-like planets. Here's why that's not good enough.
A grayscale image captures the moon's surface, featuring numerous craters of varying sizes. The scene is reminiscent of a lunar Grand Canyon, with a highlighted spot drawing the viewer's attention.
Our Moon is full of craters, basins, and ancient lava flows. But two large lunar Grand Canyons have the same origin: a single, giant impact.
Illustration of Mars being struck by an asteroid, with debris flying and Earth visible in the background.
Life may have arisen far earlier — and more rapidly — than previously thought.
A colorful cosmic scene features a bright super star cluster with glowing stars surrounded by swirling red, orange, blue, and gray nebulous clouds.
There are only four super star clusters in all the Local Group: rarities today. Here's what the youngest, the just-discovered N79, shows us.
warm-hot intergalactic medium sculptor wall
Here in our Universe, both normal and dark matter can be measured astrophysically. But only normal matter can collapse. Why is that?
Collage featuring a construction worker, a person with a hand on their back, silhouettes, and the text "The Nightcrawler" in green and black, highlighting the power of in-person connection.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
A textured, abstract artwork prominently features the word "CENSORSHIP" in bold black, flanked by stark words like "BEATEN," "DEATHS," and "IRON FIST." The beige backdrop subtly hints at government influence, blending shadows of science with restraint.
With a flurry of threats to scientists, science funding, and health policy, the USA now faces a crisis reminiscent of Soviet-era Lysenkoism.
Diagram showing the cosmic microwave background radiation with satellites COBE, WMAP, and Planck, illustrating improvements in observational detail and resolution.
First discovered in the mid-1960s, no cosmic signal has taught us more about the Universe, or spurred more controversy, than the CMB.
Red ants on green leaves with purple abstract shapes and squares in the background, symbolizing how AI for stronger teams can create a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem.
Jotform CEO Aytekin Tank highlights an AI-powered pathway towards more productive and more creative teams.
elements
From LIGO, there weren't enough neutron star-neutron star mergers to account for our heavy elements. With a JWST surprise, maybe they can.
A pencil eraser gently rubs away a detailed sketch of a human brain on graph paper, subtly symbolizing the fine balance needed in critical thinking.
"Ultimately, the choice rests with each individual: whether to take the convenient route of allowing AI to handle our critical thinking, or to preserve this essential cognitive process for ourselves."
A dark nebula with dimming T Tauri stars nestled among dust and gas. The nebula casts a shadowy silhouette against a backdrop of numerous smaller stars in space.
It's the ultimate game of cosmic "cover up," as the dimming occurs when a circumbinary disk from a nearby star passes in front of T Tauri North.