Column
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Here comes the sun, the eclipsed version
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute muses on the total solar eclipse that will cross North America in April 2024.
- Artificial Intelligence
Why large language models aren’t headed toward humanlike understanding
Unlike people, today's generative AI isn’t good at learning concepts that it can apply to new situations.
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Come along with us on a mathematical mystery tour
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses an unexpected breakthrough on a puzzle that has intrigued mathematicians for almost a century.
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Using public health research to save lives
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses how overdose prevention centers, where people can use drugs in a supervised setting, are saving lives.
- Humans
Here’s why COVID-19 isn’t seasonal so far
Human immunity and behavior may be more important than weather for driving seasonality when it comes to COVID-19.
- Animals
A bird flu outbreak is sweeping the globe. Its long-term effects are unclear
A reporter’s recent trip to the Galápagos offered a chance to reflect on the bird flu outbreak, which has killed millions of birds and other animals.
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What a parrot knows, and what a chatbot doesn’t
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses AI chatbots' vulnerabilities and the intelligence of parrots.
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Bringing scientists’ stories out of the shadows
Editor in chief Nancy Shute spotlights scientist Emma Rotor's contributions to weapons research in World War II.
- Climate
COP28 is making headlines. Here’s why the focus on methane matters
Here’s one takeaway from COP28: Deep cuts to methane are essential to meet the Paris Agreement goals. That’s still possible.
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Under the jungle, a more pluralistic Maya society
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses how new scientific discoveries are rewriting the history of Maya society
- Science & Society
Why the Thanksgiving myth persists, according to science
The science of collective memory — and a desire for clear origin stories — may explain the endurance of the Thanksgiving myth despite a messier reality.
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Scientific meetings — it’s nice to see you again
Executive editor Elizabeth Quill discusses the importance of covering scientific meetings.
