The Moments After Chernobyl Blew
First responders arrive at the crippled nuclear power station in this excerpt from ‘Midnight in Chernobyl’ by Adam Higginbotham.
Why You Can’t Bring A Jar Of Peanut Butter On A Plane—And Other Illusive Liquids
Peanut butter’s thick, sticky spread is not a solid, but a liquid. Explore the many curious properties of fluid materials that can be tricky to grasp.
‘You Press The Button.’ The Rest Is History.
You thought the hand-wringing around cell phone cameras was bad? Learn how controversial even adding a button to cameras was in this excerpt from Rachel Plotnick’s “Power Button.”
The Season The Earth Shattered
In N.K. Jemisin’s novel “The Fifth Season,” the earth lashes back when humans begin to harm the planet—leaving behind a barren, broken world.
The Doctor Who Saved Hamilton’s Son’s Life
David Hosack was much more than just the doctor present at the Hamilton-Burr duel. He was also a respected botanist who founded the first botanic garden in the U.S.
The Science Behind The Five-Second Rule
Let’s dig into the science and history of this urban myth.
Do Babies Experience Schadenfreude?
Author Tiffany Watt Smith and her nine-month-old baby meet with a developmental psychologist to find out what makes infants laugh—and when humans begin to experience joy out of other’s misfortunes.
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The Best Science Books Of 2018
Ira and a panel of guests round up their favorite science books from 2018
In Three Billion Heartbeats
Cardiologist Sandeep Jauhar vividly remembers when his grandfather died from a heart attack—a memory that fed his fascination with the “life-giving” organ.
Why Your Dog Is More Efficient Than A Laundry Machine
In this excerpt from ‘How to Walk on Water and Climb Up Walls,’ David Hu explains why the wet-dog shake is so efficient.