Scientific American.com

A mathematical ratio could explain why AI-generated art doesn’t evoke awe from viewers

In a “breakthrough,” researchers demonstrate how engineered bacteria held in a jellylike container could help fight infection in mice

The hantavirus cruise outbreak may not have started in a garbage dump in Ushuaia, Argentina, after all

The Psyche spacecraft is bound for a metal-rich asteroid that it will examine up close starting in 2029. But first, it needs to swing past the Red Planet

The rare isotope helium-3 is one of Earth’s most precious commodities—so precious, in fact, that it might prove profitable to mine from the moon

Despite decades of damage, the Persian Gulf’s ecological marvels remain—for now

Flecks of minerals captured in diamonds show hidden connections between Earth’s surface and its deep interior

Research suggests depression assessment questionnaires can’t reliably compare people with differing intelligence

Heat conditions could exceed dangerous levels at a quarter of the planned 2026 World Cup soccer matches, including the final in New Jersey on July 19

Debris is a growing threat to orbital infrastructure, and it’s only going to get worse as the number of launches increases

The Andes type of the hantavirus is spread by “close contact,” but it’s unclear how much of that transmission occurs by inhaling airborne droplets or other means

A survey found that more than 60 percent of respondents “strongly support” making psychedelics easier to study, reflecting a growing consensus that some could have therapeutic use

Archaeologists analyzed a Neanderthal molar that seems like it was intentionally drilled, but some experts are skeptical

Flock shape, speed and structure are key in deciphering whether radar readouts are birds, bats, insects or weather

Digital distractions can undermine our focus, but research suggests that our inherent capacity to pay attention hasn’t diminished

Seen just 800 million years after the big bang, an object called LAP1-B is a galactic building block that seems to hold some of the first stars to ever shine

Mapping their starting point like bees do helps autonomous drones find their way

Malaria incidence is increasing, progress on maternal mortality is stalling, and some childhood vaccine rates are plateauing or have dipped below the threshold for herd immunity

People exposed to the Andes strain of the hantavirus may not develop symptoms for up to 42 days, a delay that makes tracing infections more difficult

With millions of people now using GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound, scientists are racing to find ways to help people retain their weight loss after they stop taking the medication