Earth
Explainer: Ice sheets and glaciers
Ice sheets and glaciers give scientists clues about climate change.
Featured Articles in this Issue
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Cover Story
Weird black holes may reveal secrets of the early universe
Emerging evidence points to the existence of rogue black holes and other cosmic oddities — such as big black holes in tiny galaxies.
Explainer
Technically Fiction
Oceans
What makes Aquaman special? He can take a lot of pressure
The new Aquaman movie makes life under the sea look pretty glamorous. In fact, we puny humans probably couldn’t take the pressure.
Profile
Space
Black holes and activism inspire this astrophysicist
Mallory Molina is looking for supermassive black holes — and helping others find their place in the field of astronomy.
Features
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Weird black holes may reveal secrets of the early universe
Emerging evidence points to the existence of rogue black holes and other cosmic oddities — such as big black holes in tiny galaxies.
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A natural ‘cathedral’ lurks deep under Antarctic ice
By drilling into this cavern, scientists have opened a window into the mysterious world of hidden lakes, their occupants — and rivers that run uphill.
More Stories from the December 1, 2023 issue
- Plants
A single particle of light can kick off photosynthesis
In a new experiment with bacteria, a lone photon sparked the process of turning light to chemical energy.
- Brain
Neuroscientists use brain scans to decode people’s thoughts
The research may lead to new devices for people who can’t communicate easily. It also raises privacy concerns.
- Materials Science
This house is partly made of recycled diapers
After being washed, dried, sanitized and shredded, used diapers were mixed with other materials to make a strong concrete.
- Animals
This bird nest becomes a ‘fortress’ using antibird spikes
The spikes were meant to keep birds away. But five nests found in Europe may use the bird deterrents for structure and to scare off predators.
- Physics
Experiment: How well do different materials create static electricity?
Why are some materials more susceptible to static cling than others? Investigate by making your own electroscope.
- Tech
High-tech solar ‘leaves’ create green fuels from the sun
Chemists make a liquid alternative to fossil fuels from carbon dioxide, water and the sun. Their trick? They use a new type of artificial leaf.
