Trump’s Personality Cult Plays a Part in His Political Appeal
Personality measures suggest Donald Trump exerts a cult of personality over his followers, people who are psychologically susceptible to his appeal. This could help explain how he has succeeded in U.S. politics while other populists have not
How Tobacco Companies Use Chemistry to Get around Menthol Bans
Regulating chemicals one-by-one has allowed the tobacco industry to skirt menthol bans by creating new additives with similar effects but unclear safety profiles
RFK Jr.’s Vice-Presidential Pick Drawn in by Debunked Autism Conspiracy Theory
Conspiracy thinking about autism drives anti-vaxxer presidential candidate RFK Jr.’s pick for vice president
It Is Too Soon for Clinical Trials on Artificial Wombs
A technology meant to help severely premature infants raises questions of inequity and may someday threaten parents’ rights to make decisions
Brain Scans of Jazz Musicians Reveal How to Reach a Creative ‘Flow State’
Both expertise and the ability to release one’s focus can help people enter a state of effortless attention
Voyager 1’s Revival Offers Inspiration for Everyone on Earth
Instruments may fail, but humanity’s most distant sentinel will keep exploring, and inspiring us all
Neurodivergent Kids Flourish When They’re Taught How Their Brains Work
When teachers and parents talk to kids about having ADHD, autism or learning disabilities, they set them up for success
We Can Prevent Another Summer mPox Outbreak
Queer people’s behavior squashed the U.S. mpox outbreak in 2022. We shouldn’t have to rely on that to stop future outbreaks here or abroad
How the Guinness Brewery Invented the Most Important Statistical Method in Science
The most common test of statistical significance originated from the Guinness brewery. Here’s how it works
We Must Face Down the Expanding Anti-Reality Industry
Exposing the antiscience playbook reveals the antiregulatory motives of its deep-pocketed bankrollers
The Emerging Artificial Intelligence Era Faces a Growing Threat from Directed Energy Weapons
Autonomous and AI-enabled systems increasingly rely on optical and radio frequency sensors and significant computer power. They face growing vulnerabilities from directed-energy laser and microwave weapons
Innovative Thinking Could Make New Sickle Cell Treatments More Accessible
The cost of new gene-based sickle cell treatments isn’t the only barrier to access. Coming up with new ways to treat the whole disease—and person—could make treatment more equitable