Astronomy
Our Sun Was Born in a Stellar Family Far, Far from Here
We only have a few clues about where the sun was born. Some new ones point to a crowded origin story for our nearest star
Opinion
Neuroscience
How Our Team Overturned the 90-Year-Old Metaphor of a ‘Little Man’ in the Brain Who Controls Movement
A pillar of every neuroscience textbook, the classic “homunculus” has just gone through a radical revision
Drug Use
Over-the-Counter Narcan Is a Small Win in the Overdose Crisis. We Need More
Requiring a prescription for all forms of naloxone holds the overdose-reversing medication hostage, kept from millions of Americans who should carry it in their purses and back pockets
Climate Change
Environmental Policies Must Manage Climate Change and Biodiversity as One
Biodiversity loss and climate change are two sides of the same coin. Why can’t we treat them that way?
Arts
AI Can’t Solve this Famous Murder Mystery Puzzle
The 1934 puzzle book Cain’s Jawbone stumped all but a handful of humans. Then AI took the case
Water
Ongoing Development Is Part of the Colorado River Problem
Using “slow water” methods can make the Colorado River Basin and its people more resilient
Psychology
Extreme Views Are More Attractive Than Moderate Ones
New research shows that people are drawn to others with more extreme versions of their own political views
Extraterrestrial Life
How Far Should We Take Our Cosmic Humility?
For centuries, scientific discoveries have suggested humanity occupies no privileged place in the universe. Now, however, studies of worlds beyond our solar system could place meaningful new limits on our existential mediocrity...
Policy
Stopping Fentanyl at the Border Won’t Work. We Must Reimagine Drug Law Enforcement
Law enforcement should fight crime, violence, and corruption and not pretend its job is to shrink the illicit drug supply enough to prevent its use
Reproduction
Mifepristone Is Safe. A Court Ruling Reducing Access to It Is Dangerous
A judge’s bad decision about the abortion pill rests on stigma about abortion that harms health care
