The SciencesJuly 1, 2020
Coronavirus Antibody Tests Have a Mathematical Pitfall
The accuracy of screening tests is highly dependent on the infection rate
Stories by Sarah Lewin Frasier
Sarah Lewin Frasier is Scientific American's assistant news editor. She plans, assigns and edits the Advances section of the monthly magazine, as well as editing online news. Before joining Scientific American in 2019, she chronicled humanity's journey to the stars as associate editor at Space.com. (And even earlier, she was a print intern at Scientific American.) Frasier holds an A.B. in mathematics from Brown University and an M.A. in journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She enjoys musical theater and mathematical paper craft.
ChemistryJune 25, 2020
Science Briefs from around the World
Here are some brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about a 70-million-year-old mollusk fossil that reveals years back then had a few more days than we have now.
PolicyJune 1, 2020
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
EngineeringMay 28, 2020
Science News Briefs from All Over
Here are some brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about an incredibly well-preserved horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), like the one pictured, that lived 46,000 years ago.
PolicyMay 1, 2020
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
Natural DisastersApril 29, 2020
Science News Briefs from around the World
Here are a few brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about what the eruption of Mount Vesuvius might have done to one ill-fated resident of Herculaneum.
PolicyApril 1, 2020
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
ChemistryMarch 29, 2020
Science News Briefs from around the Planet
Here are a few brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about the discovery of an intact chicken egg dating to Roman Britain.
BiologyMarch 2, 2020
Science News Briefs from around the World
Here are a few brief reports about science and technology from around the world, including one from off the California coast about the first heart rate measurement done on a blue whale.
PolicyMarch 1, 2020
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
EvolutionFebruary 4, 2020
Science News Briefs from All Over
Here are a few brief reports about international science and technology from around the world, including one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo about a toad that has evolved coloring that makes it look like a deadly snake’s head.
PolicyFebruary 1, 2020
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
ChemistryJanuary 6, 2020
Science News Briefs from around the Globe
A few brief reports about international science and technology from Indonesia to Spain, including one from Brazil about the highest-voltage electric eel ever discovered.
PolicyJanuary 1, 2020
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
PolicyDecember 1, 2019
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
Space & PhysicsDecember 18, 2018
“Farout!” Newfound Object Is the Farthest Solar System Body Ever Spotted
The pink-colored object is nearly four times more distant from the sun than Pluto, and hints at the possibility of an as-yet-undiscovered giant planet farther out
Space & PhysicsDecember 13, 2018
Look Up! Gleaming Geminid Meteor Shower of 2018 Peaks Tonight
The celestial display is expected to be the best meteor shower of 2018
Space & PhysicsAugust 24, 2018
NASA Astronauts Could Fly to Moon-Orbiting Station by 2024, Pence Says
The Vice President’s remarks offered new details on the Trump administration’s space-policy plans
PolicyJune 19, 2018
Trump Orders “Space Force,” Signs Space-Traffic Policy
The President’s proposal could create a new branch of the armed services meant to assure “American dominance” in space
Space & PhysicsJune 18, 2018
Weird Low-Light Bacteria Could Potentially Thrive on Mars
The photosynthetic organisms subsist on redder, lower-energy light than other species, and could be a new source of fuel and air for interplanetary outposts
Space & PhysicsMay 14, 2018
NASA Will Send a Helicopter to Mars in 2020
The autonomous rotorcraft will fly to the Red Planet with the Mars 2020 rover
Space & PhysicsFebruary 6, 2018
Watch Live as SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket Launches Today
Whether a success or a failure, the first test flight of the world's current most powerful rocket guarantees fireworks
Space & PhysicsNovember 11, 2017
First Flight of NASA’s Largest Rocket May Be Delayed Until 2020
The agency’s Space Launch System is intended to take astronauts to the Moon and beyond
Space & PhysicsNovember 6, 2017
Astronomers Use Shadowy Alien Worlds to Peer Inside Stars
New analyses allow scientists to measure stellar densities using orbiting planets