Meghan Bartels is a science journalist based in New York City. She joined Scientific American in 2023 and is now a senior news reporter there. Previously, she spent more than four years as a writer and editor at Space.com, as well as nearly a year as a science reporter at Newsweek, where she focused on space and Earth science. Her writing has also appeared in Audubon, Nautilus, Astronomy and Smithsonian, among other publications. She attended Georgetown University and earned a master’s degree in journalism at New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program.
NASA’s Stranded Astronauts Will Fly Home on SpaceX’s Dragon
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched to the International Space Station in June and expected eight days in space. Now these stranded astronauts finally have a ride home
With New COVID Vaccines Arriving Soon, Brush up on Guidelines and Summer Surge Facts
We’re in a summer COVID surge, and updated vaccines are due soon. Here’s a quick update on what you need to know
Bird Flu Is Infecting Pet Cats. Here’s What You Need to Know
As bird flu spreads in cats, cows and other animals, it has more opportunity to adapt to easily infect humans
Stonehenge’s Strangest Rock Came from 500 Miles Away
A new analysis of Stonehenge’s “Altar Stone” suggests Neolithic people walked or sailed some 500 miles to transport the six-ton boulder
West Nile Cases Are Rising. Here’s How to Protect Yourself
West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Here’s what to know about the infection
How NASA’s Stranded Starliner Astronauts Could Fly Home with SpaceX
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stuck on the ISS since they launched to the station in early June. Now the space agency is close to deciding how to bring them back
The Hidden Ways Extreme Heat Disrupts Infrastructure
Scorching temperatures are further burdening an already-troubled infrastructure system across much of the U.S. in ways people are still learning to recognize
Giant, Sparkly Clams Hide the Most Efficient Solar Panels Ever Found
Inside giant, iridescent clams are algal farms that could inspire highly efficient bioreactors
NASA Retires Asteroid-Hunting Telescope
NASA’s NEOWISE telescope has searched for asteroids, brown dwarfs and luminous galaxies. The spacecraft will soon burn up in Earth’s atmosphere
Komodo Dragons’ Nightmare Iron-Tipped Teeth Are a Reptilian First
Reptile teeth have long been considered simple and cheap because the animals replace them regularly. That isn’t so, Komodo dragons show
How SpaceX Will Turn a Workhorse Vehicle into a Hulking Destroyer of Space Stations
SpaceX will supercharge its Dragon capsule to send the International Space Station to a watery retirement
Europe Announces New Mission to Infamous Asteroid Apophis
ESA’s Ramses spacecraft will scout out Apophis before and after the asteroid’s super-close flyby of Earth in 2029
The Head of NASA Science Spent a Whole Weekend Building a LEGO Rocket
Scientific American sat down with Nicola Fox, head of NASA science, to talk about her LEGO-building hobby, the agency’s massive Space Launch System rocket and the NASA science she’s most excited about
‘Frog Saunas’ Could Protect Species from Devastating Fungal Disease
A low-tech immune boost may help some species of frogs survive a brutal fungal disease that’s already ended 90 amphibian species
NASA Selects SpaceX to Destroy the International Space Station
The world will be watching—literally—as SpaceX tackles possibly what might be its highest-stakes endeavor to date: safely destroying the beloved International Space Station
A Supreme Court Ruling May Make It Harder for Government Agencies to Use Good Science
The Supreme Court overturned Chevron deference, a 40-year legal principle that has shaped the role of government agencies. The outcome could affect medication approval, pollution regulation, and more
These Gray Whales Are Shrinking, and Scientists Aren’t Sure Why
Gray whales in a small group that sticks close to the shores of the Pacific Northwest appear to be shrinking—and shockingly quickly
Voyager 1 Is Back! NASA Spacecraft Safely Resumes All Science Observations
NASA’s venerable Voyager 1 spacecraft has resumed normal science operations with all four functioning instruments for the first time in more than six months
Superstorm-Spawning Sunspot Cluster Is Facing Earth Again. What’s Next?
The massive sunspot region that gave Earthlings stunning auroral displays earlier in May is back from its trip around the far side of the sun
Hurricane Categories Don’t Capture All of a Storm’s True Dangers
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season could be disastrous. Experts warn that a storm’s Saffir-Simpson category misses many storm dangers
You Can Protect Wildlife without Leaving Home
You don't have to venture far to make a difference for wildlife.
Next-Generation Cosmic Observatory Hits South Pole Stumbling Block
Cosmic Microwave Background Stage 4, a top-priority project for U.S. astrophysics, was designed to make breakthrough observations of the universe’s very earliest moments. Now the U.S. government says it can’t currently support the project’s construction at the South Pole
Could Putting Neosporin in Your Nose Fend Off COVID?
People may someday have a surprisingly familiar tool to prevent viral infections: one of the antibiotics found in a common ointment
How Did Cockroaches Reach Global Domination?
A common species of cockroach hails from Asia, according to new research that tracks its spread around the globe