Right Now

An image depicting high carb ultra processed foods, those which are often associated with health risks

Is Ultraprocessed Food Really That Bad?

A Harvard professor challenges conventional wisdom. 

by Craig Lambert

Illustrations depict gas from a sun-like companion star being drawn in a swirling pattern into a black hole (top) and onto a neutron star (bottom). In both cases, as the gas nears the central object, strong gravitation weakens the light, making it appear redder and dimmer. When the gas strikes the solid surface of the neutron star, it glows brightly in x-rays. But after crossing the "event horizon" of the black hole, it produces no x-rays, since a black hole has no surface.

Compelling evidence of black holes

Astronomers at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA) presented data that strongly suggest the existence of an "event horizon"--the black hole's one-way boundary from which nothing, not even light, can escape.

Dead Confederate artillerymen grouped near one of their limbers after Antietam. In the background is a Dunker church, built by a German Baptist pacifist sect.

The Deadliest War

Drew Faust speaks on how the Civil War’s astounding death toll reshaped American society.

by Craig Lambert

Secret Errors Kill

Meaningful mistakes, deceptive voices, smoking and mental health, the source of human speed

by Craig Lambert

Bluffing the Baritone

Just as looks can be deceiving, so, too, can sounds mislead.

by Jonathan Shaw

Inhaling Distress

After 40 years of scientific and news reports on tobacco's hazards, smoking today may be a fundamentally irrational act.

The Source of Human Speed

What is it that makes Michael Johnson, world's fastest human, swifter than a typical man or woman plucked at random from the street?

by Jonathan Shaw

Work at Its Best

Moral excellence in the professions

by Craig Lambert

Some Classical Profanity

Classics debowdlerized

Stubborn Theorems

Seven math mysteries

Very Young Beauty Queens

Baby beauty contestants

by Craig Lambert