All the Gold in the Universe Was (Likely) Created This Way

For a long time, no one knew how “heavy metals” formed—or showed up on Earth. Now some new evidence finally points the way to an answer.

Leona Zacharias Helped Solve a Blindness Epidemic among Premature Babies. She Received Little Credit

In the first Lost Women of Science Shorts podcast, host Katie Hafner dives into the life and work of Leona Zacharias—a brilliant researcher who, before reporting this story, Hafner only knew as her grandmother.

Why COVID’s XBB.1.5 ‘Kraken’ Variant Is So Contagious

A new variant of the virus that causes COVID has mutations that make it more transmissible, but vaccines are still likely to protect against severe disease.

See the Largest Flower Ever Found Encased in Amber

A rare flower encased in amber is the largest one ever found and dates from around 40 million years ago.

Why California Is Being Deluged by Atmospheric Rivers

California has been hit by repeated storms fueled by torrents of moisture called atmospheric rivers that will only intensify in a warming climate.

Scientific American February Issue:

How to search for aliens that are nothing like Earthlings.