Evidence Does Not Support the Use of the Death Penalty
Capital punishment must come to an end. It does not deter crime, is not humane and has no moral or medical basis
Stories by The Editors
Changing Car Culture Can Benefit Our Health and Our Planet
We need to rethink the American love affair with the automobile and redesign cities to reduce car pollution
Hospice Providers Must Be Better Regulated
Too many hospice providers in the U.S. are run by private equity and for-profit corporations. A lack of regulation allows them to provide abysmal end-of-life care
As the Climate Crisis Deepens, High-Polluting Nations Must Start Paying Reparations
The wealthy countries that are most responsible for greenhouse gas pollution must compensate the poorer nations that bear the greatest burden
The U.S.’s Plans to Modernize Nuclear Weapons Are Dangerous and Unnecessary
The U.S. should back away from updating its obsolescent nuclear weapons, in particular silo-launched missiles that needlessly risk catastrophe
Protecting Plants and Animals at Risk Must Start before They Need the Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act is an emergency measure turning 50 this year. Focusing on ecosystem preservation can keep us from ever needing it
Safeguarding AI Is Up to Everyone
The use of artificial intelligence is so varied and industry-specific, no one federal agency can manage it alone
Building Codes Save Money and Lives
As climate change increases the number and severity of natural disasters, an investment in updated building codes will save billions in repairs
The Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision Harms Science, Education and Health
The Supreme Court’s actions on affirmative action are a setback to justice and equality in the U.S.
Kids Need More Places to Play, Not Fat Shaming
We should pay less attention to children’s weight and more to their overall health by encouraging outdoor play
Images Show Wildfire Smoke Choking the East Coast
Scientific American will be rounding up some of the most striking images and notable updates about the smoke blanketing the Northeast from wildfires raging across Canada
We Need to Better Regulate Nutraceuticals
Manufacturers of a class of food-derived supplements called nutraceuticals often make statements about their health value that are hard to verify, which can cause safety and efficacy issues
Ron DeSantis’s Antiscience Agenda Is Dangerous
Presidential contender Ron DeSantis has used governmental power in Florida to restrict access to health and education, promoting an intolerant and harmful agenda
Use Nature as Infrastructure
In the climate crisis, wetlands have more economic value than new development
To Fight Antimicrobial Resistance, Start with Farm Animals
Governments must regulate drug misuse in food animals that is contributing to antimicrobial resistance
Why the U.S. Needs a Formal Reckoning on the COVID Pandemic
After Pearl Harbor, 9/11 and other major tragedies, the U.S. has examined itself to see how to prevent the next catastrophe. We need to do the same for the COVID pandemic
Let Teenagers Sleep
Despite years of evidence that starting school later promotes better health and improved grades, too few schools have adopted this measure
What’s on the Horizon for 2023
Scientific American editors share what scientific events they are paying attention to as 2023 begins
Keep Looking Up
As a dismal year on Earth draws to a close, milestones in space exploration offer much for the whole world to celebrate
Every Story Is a Science Story
Science applies to every important social issue. Saying so doesn’t make us “unscientific”
We Need 50 More Years of the Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that has fundamentally changed water pollution in the U.S., is under attack when it should be strengthened instead
On Election Day, Vote for Candidates with Science-Based Policies, Not Politicians Who Ignore Evidence
Some office seekers have positions based on research and facts, whereas others stand on assumptions and bias
We Need More Health Clinics at Schools
In-school clinics improve well-being and educational outcomes and serve children who need them most
Exploration Is Fundamental to Human Success
Discoveries inspire us, give us hope for a better future and pay off generously