This article is part of “Innovations In: RSV,” an editorially independent special report that was produced with financial support from MSD, Sanofi and AstraZeneca. When Laura Ehrlich gave birth to her first child in 2020, the COVID-causing virus wasn’t the only threat facing her son. Born a micro preemie at under 26 weeks, little Alistair…
Spotted ratfish, or “ghost sharks,” have forehead teeth that help them grasp onto mates. It’s the first time teeth have been found outside of a mouth.
Rachel Feltman: Happy Monday, listeners! For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. Let’s kick off the week with a quick roundup of some of the latest science news. First, let’s check in on vaccines. On Thursday and Friday of last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or…
September 22, 2025 3 min read Deep-Earth Diamonds Reveal ‘Almost Impossible’ Chemistry Seemingly contradictory materials are trapped together in two glittering diamonds from South Africa, shedding light on how diamonds form By Stephanie Pappas edited by Andrea Thompson Yael Kempe and Yakov Weiss A pair of diamonds that formed hundreds of kilometers deep in Earth’s…
Scientific American celebrated its 180th birthday on August 28, 2025, by highlighting the many ways science has evolved over nearly two centuries. Since Scientific American’s inception 180 years ago, its covers have taken readers on epic journeys—from deep oceans to distant galaxies. Decade by decade, the magazine’s covers have showcased incredible artistic renderings of breakthrough…
September 21, 2025 2 min read Nobody Knows How Tylenol Really Works The common pain reliever is safe when used as directed, research shows. But scientists remain puzzled by one aspect: how it reduces pain and fever By Josh Fischman edited by Jeanna Bryner Tylenol is used by millions for pain relief. Brendan Smialowski/Stringer/Getty Images…
Provider: Pete Ryan Pete Ryan For Cherelle Gardiner, the link between her endometriosis and multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses, both received in her late 20s, a couple of years apart, has long been clear. “I realised that whenever I was on my period, my legs were also hurting me a lot more,” recalls the now-42-year-old, based…
Building blocks of life have been found on this moon of Saturn. They may come from chemical reactions beyond Enceladus’ possible life-supporting ocean.
The Trump administration today plans to link rising rates of autism spectrum disorder to the use of Tylenol (a brand name of acetaminophen) during pregnancy, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. President Donald Trump previewed the announcement on Sunday, saying at a memorial for the late Charlie Kirk, “I…
We are learning more about Venus, the hot, high-pressure planet JSC/NASA We now know for sure that massive underground tunnels, carved by lava, exist on Venus – and they are surprisingly wide and different from those on any other planet. It is uncontroversial that lava tubes – underground tunnels carved out by molten rock –…
