Issues
Readers’ Forum
Search and Discovery
New hydrogen-isotope measurements refine the picture of water on Mars
Atmospheric maps and in situ spectrometry of clay minerals constrain climate models and the prevalence of water in the planet’s ancient past.
Superresolution microscopy reveals chromosomes’ smallest structure
It’s long been thought that at size scales of tens of nanometers, our genetic material is packaged in a neat, orderly way. New observations show that’s not the case.
A stellar source of lithium is caught in the act
To explain the observed abundance of the light metallic element, astrophysical modelers have concluded that much of it was produced in stars. But direct evidence has been lacking until now.
Issues and Events
Record-energy collisions coming soon at the LHC
The machine that discovered the Higgs boson is flexing its muscles again. The results could be stunning new findings or striking new mysteries.
New ITER head is confident the fusion energy project will succeed
Bernard Bigot sees management of the seven-party international effort as a greater challenge than the technological demands.
Foundations join forces to raise funds for basic research
With federal funding in decline, philanthropists are stepping up to back risky projects, early-career researchers, and expensive scientific equipment.
Momentum grows for new climate agreement
Pledged US greenhouse gas cuts should need no new authorizations from Congress, officials say.
US nuclear waste may have temporary home
Combined developments could break the logjam over disposition of spent nuclear fuel and defense high-level radioactive waste.
Naval reactors in need of redesign
Nonproliferation concerns should propel US Navy to switch to safer nuclear fuel, says FAS task force.
Articles
Is solid helium a supersolid?
Recent experiments suggest that helium-4 atoms can flow through an experimental cell filled with solid helium. But that incompletely understood flow is quite different from the reported superfluid-like motion that so excited physicists a decade ago.
Asteroseismology
Pulsations known as starquakes can provide precious glimpses into a star’s interior—and clues to how the star will live and die.
From the archives: The future of lasers
A panel discussion: Nine specialists foresee an expanded frequency range, new kinds of lasers, and many novel applications.
Books
Unmaking the Bomb: A Fissile Material Approach to Nuclear Disarmament and Nonproliferation
An Observer’s Guide to Clouds and Weather: A Northeastern Primer on Prediction
Conductors, Semiconductors, Superconductors: An Introduction to Solid State Physics
New Products
Obituaries
Esther Marly Conwell
Marvin Denham Girardeau
Matthew Linzee Sands
Quick Study
Talking science with journalists
The media attention bestowed on scientists is like a hundred-year flood—rare but potentially overwhelming for the unprepared.