The Problem With The Plasma
In this excerpt from “Nine Pints,” Rose George explains how issues with the 1970s American plasma led to a contaminated supply.
The Logic Of Blame
When it comes to blame and logic, it may be more useful to understand the system rather than the individual.
The Pursuit Of ‘Pure’ Food
Nineteenth century milk sellers used formaldehyde to preserve their product. Just how far have food regulations come?
Pakistan Faces A Water War On The Horizon
In his new book, Jeff Nesbit unpacks the rising political tensions between India and Pakistan as a critical water source begins to shrivel up. Will it trigger a nuclear war?
How Did A Computer Beat A Chess Grandmaster?
Some say Garry Kasparov was more than capable of defeating Deep Blue—but he underestimated the ability of the algorithm.
The Biology Behind Our Emotions
In his new book “The Disordered Mind,” neuroscientist Eric Kandel explores how we control our emotions.
The Roots Of The Tangled Genetic Tree
In this excerpt from David Quammen’s “The Tangled Tree,” meet the people who saw that evolution is more complex than you’d think.
The Man Who Builds Beaches
In this excerpt from “The World in a Grain,” beach sand is gold. Illegal sand mining and rising seas are shrinking beaches, but this man is working to replenish them.
The Alluring Beauty Of Supersymmetry
In this excerpt from “Lost in Math,” Sabine Hossenfelder explains how the idea of supersymmetry is just too beautiful for scientists to ignore.
Shakespeare’s Starlings And The City
Introduced to North America by a Shakespeare enthusiast, starlings become a test case of urban evolution in this excerpt of “Darwin Comes To Town.”