Right Now

Man splashing water on his face at outdoor fountain beside woman holding cup near stone building.

Why Heat Waves Make You Miserable

Scientists are studying how much heat and humidity the human body can take.

by Erin O’Donnell

Illustration of a man looking at constellations with ants traversing the shortest distance between the stars in the constellation.

Using puzzles to teach physics

In his freshman seminar, Cumrun Vafa uses puzzles to help students understand complex physics.

by Steve Nadis

A woman seated on a stool wearing traditional Mongolian garb milks a yak.

Dairy culture on the Eurasian Steppe

Ancient dental plaque points to the historical significance of dairy culture on the Eurasian Steppe.

by Jonathan Shaw

Illustration of a dog with a brain made up of different colorful regions depicting skills such as hunting and herding

Canine behavioral specializations reflected in brain structures

Researchers hope to tease out the effects of breeding and training on dog brain structure.

by Jonathan Shaw

Illustration showing Greek pillars to represent democracy made from rolled newspapers. One of the pillars has tipped over and spilled a jumble of letters.

Protecting the press as a foundation of democracy

If the press is essential to democracy, what can be done to save news organizations?

by Erin O’Donnell

Illustration of a woman in a lab coat studying shadows cast by vials of blood, each shadow a readout indicating the presence of a past exposure to a specific pathogen.

Harvard’s VirScan exposes viral vulnerabilities

A serological test may reveal the COVID-19 virus’s weaknesses—and expose its strategic decoys.

by Bennett McIntosh

Six butterflies shown in infrared wavelengths of purple and pink colors

Butterfly wing secrets revealed in infrared

A study reveals new dimensions to their function and beauty.

by Bennett McIntosh

Matthias Nahrendorf seated in front of a PET/CT scanner

Stem cell activity linked to lifestyle

Exercise attenuates stem cell production of pro-inflammatory white blood cells.

by Jonathan Shaw

Children play outside while a homeschooled child watches through a window

What rights do children have in homeschooling?

Elizabeth Bartholet highlights risks when parents have 24/7 authoritarian control over their children.

by Erin O’Donnell

Frontiers

Activity tracking to identify the at-risk elderly, and China’s offshore windfarm potential 

by Jonathan Shaw

Frontiers

A common plasticizer causes infertility, and fructose affects fat metabolism.