Energy
Nuclear Power Looks to Regain Its Footing 10 Years after Fukushima
Economics may play a stronger role than fear in steering nuclear power toward a slow decline
Stories by Jeremy Hsu
Neuroscience
AI Assesses Alzheimer’s Risk by Analyzing Word Usage
New models used writing samples to predict the onset of the disease with 70 percent accuracy
Public Health
Population Density Does Not Doom Cities to Pandemic Dangers
Crowding, connections among communities and other factors seem to better explain infection and mortality rates
Computing
Here’s How Computer Models Simulate the Future Spread of New Coronavirus
They aim for clarity amid confusion surrounding the outbreak
The Sciences
Color-Changing Fibers Unravel a Knotty Mystery
Mathematicians are devising new techniques to better predict how to tie strong knots that are useful in climbing and sailing
Computing
AI Takes on Popular Minecraft Game in Machine-Learning Contest
The MineRL competition encourages coders to devise programs that learn by example
Technology
Kilometer-Long Space Tether Tests Fuel-Free Propulsion
The U.S. space mission aims to demonstrate technology that could someday help clean up space junk
Space & Physics
Mini Gravitational-Wave Detector Could Probe Dark Matter
A miniature gravitational wave detector under development would measure higher-frequency waves than LIGO
Engineering
An Innovative Robotic Exosuit Boosts both Walking and Running
The soft wearable could prove useful for military applications, emergencies and medical rehabilitation
Fossil Fuels
Private Space Race Targets Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Cheaper, smaller satellites could help more precisely sniff out sources of methane
Computing
Humans Fold: AI Conquers Poker’s Final Milestone
A new program outperforms professionals in six-player games. Could business, political or military applications come next?
Electronics
Don’t Panic about Rare Earth Elements
The materials used in iPhones and Tesla cars need not become a long-term casualty of a U.S.-China trade war
Engineering
Can Robots Help Pick Up after the Recycling Crisis?
They will have to overcome the challenges of America’s convenient single-stream recycling system
Energy
Solar Power’s Benefits Don’t Shine Equally on Everyone
Racial and ethnic minorities have less access to solar power, regardless of income, highlighting the need for environmental justice
Engineering
Out of the Way, Human! Delivery Robots Want a Share of Your Sidewalk
As automated delivery ramps up, cities must decide how to make the best use of public spaces
Public Health
Drones Used to Find Toylike "Butterfly" Land Mines
Quadcopters with thermal imagery cameras can help detect vicious mini-mines that often kill or maim children
Energy
Experts Aren’t Taking a Shine to California’s Rooftop Solar Rule
Energy economists say the new home requirement is inefficient and benefits wealthier people; supporters say it’s just one piece of the puzzle
Quantum Computing
Is the U.S. Lagging in the Quest for Quantum Computing?
U.S. government funding is needed to sustain the arduous journey toward a practical quantum computer, experts say
Public Health
Why Are There So Few Autism Specialists?
Lack of interest, training and pay may limit the supply
Space & Physics
Asteroid Sample-Return Spacecraft Are Approaching Their Targets
Japanese and U.S. missions could yield new discoveries about the origins of life on Earth
