So, you’ve just decided to take a break from studying and need something to pass the time. Or maybe you’re waiting for a plane, or you’re stuck at the train station, and you want something to keep ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...

I watch Rufus, a friend’s dog, chew enthusiastically on a rubber bone. I know the dog is alive, and his toy is not. I know that intuitively. But can I prove it scientifically? Can science parse the ...

From rebus puzzles to brain-teasing riddles and quirky quiz games, our love for mental challenges is more than just fun—it’s brain training in disguise. Science shows that solving tricky problems ...

We are at a critical time and supporting climate journalism is more important than ever. Science News and our parent organization, the Society for Science, need your help to strengthen environmental ...

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.View full profile James is a ...