- Culture

- Artificial Intelligence

- Neuroscience

- Mathematics

- Milky Way

- Health

- Arts

- Archaeology

- Language

- Dogs

- History

Culture

- A bright light in the dark: Jan 2026

- Readers respond to the October 2025 issue: Jan 2026

JAN 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

A bright light in the dark

The Nobel Prizes remind us how science can unite society and inspire hope for the future

By David M. Ewalt edited by Jeanna Bryner

Scientific American, February 2026

David M. Ewalt is editor in chief of Scientific American.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-bright-light-in-the-dark on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

JAN 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

Readers respond to the October 2025 issue

Letters to the editors for the October 2025 issue of Scientific American

By Aaron Shattuck

Scientific American, October 2025

Aaron Shattuck is a senior copy editor at Scientific American.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/readers-respond-to-the-october-2025-issue on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Artificial Intelligence

- How one mom used vibe coding to build an AI tutor for her dyslexic son: Oct 2025

OCT 31, 2025, 6:30 AM EDT | ARTICLE SOURCE

How one mom built an AI tutor for her dyslexic son

Faced with her son’s struggle with dyslexia, one mom built an AI platform to help kids learn their own way

By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Clara Moskowitz & Seth Fletcher

Martin Gee

Deni Ellis Béchard is Scientific American’s senior writer for technology. He is author of 10 books and has received a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, a Midwest Book Award and a Nautilus Book Award for investigative journalism. He holds two master’s degrees in literature, as well as a master’s degree in biology from Harvard University. His most recent novel, We Are Dreams in the Eternal Machine, explores the ways that artificial intelligence could transform humanity. You can follow him on X, Instagram and Bluesky @denibechard

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-one-mom-used-vibe-coding-to-build-an-ai-tutor-for-her-dyslexic-son on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Neuroscience

- The neuroscience behind the ‘parenting paradox’ of happiness: Oct 2025

OCT 29, 2025, 10:30 AM EDT | ARTICLE SOURCE

The neuroscience behind the ‘parenting paradox’ of happiness

Separate brain processes cope with moment-to-moment versus big-picture experiences, which helps to explain how parenting both increases and decreases aspects of well-being

By Anthony Vaccaro edited by Daisy Yuhas & Allison Parshall

Dusan Stankovic/Getty Images

Anthony Vaccaro is a research assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He studies the neuroscience of emotion in modern contexts.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-neuroscience-behind-the-parenting-paradox-of-happiness on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Mathematics

- The math mystery that connects Sudoku, flight schedules and protein folding: Jan 2025

JAN 6, 2025, 2:00 PM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

The math mystery that connects Sudoku, flight schedules and protein folding

Thousands of notoriously difficult problems in computer science are actually the same problem in disguise

By Jack Murtagh edited by Jeanna Bryner

With NP-complete problems, you could discover a fast algorithm to solve Sudoku puzzles that could also break the encryption schemes that protect our digital economy.

Natalia Barliaeva/Getty Images

Jack Murtagh is a freelance math writer and puzzle creator. He writes a column on mathematical curiosities for Scientific American and creates daily puzzles for the Morning Brew newsletter. He holds a Ph.D. in theoretical computer science from Harvard University. Follow him on X @JackPMurtagh

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-math-mystery-that-connects-sudoku-flight-schedules-and-protein-folding on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Milky Way

- Why is the Milky Way warped?: Nov 2025

NOV 7, 2025, 6:45 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

Our Milky Way’s warped disk keeps getting weirder

Observations show the disk of our galaxy is not flat but warped and waving. Astronomers are still working out the reasons why

By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings & Clara Moskowitz

Observations from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission have revealed a giant wave rippling through the disk of the Milky Way. This image, derived from Gaia data, shows an edge-on view of our galaxy; the data points for the newfound wave are plotted in red (above the disk) and blue (below the disk).

ESA/Gaia/DPAC, S. Payne-Wardenaar, E. Poggio et al. (2025)

Phil Plait is a professional astronomer and science communicator in Virginia. His column for Scientific American, The Universe, covers all things space. He writes the Bad Astronomy Newsletter. Follow him online.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-is-the-milky-way-warped on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Health

- Heal injuries faster with new science: Jan 2026

JAN 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

Heal your injuries faster than ever

Motion is the new potion, and rest is no longer the best

By Lydia Denworth edited by Josh Fischman

Jay Bendt

Lydia Denworth is an award-winning science journalist and contributing editor for Scientific American. She is author of Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond (W. W. Norton, 2020) and several other books of popular science.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heal-injuries-faster-with-new-science on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Arts

- Poem: ‘E = mc²’: Jan 2026

JAN 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

Poem: ‘E = mc²’

Science in meter and verse

By Elaine Mintzer edited by Dava Sobel & Clara Moskowitz

Masha Foya

Elaine Mintzer is a southern California poet and retired high school teacher who finds scientific vocabulary a useful anchor for feelings and philosophy. Her two poetry collections are Natural Selections (Bombshelter Press, 2004) and Drink from the River (coming soon from Moontide Press).

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/poem-e-mc on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Archaeology

- History smelled. Here’s how we’re sniffing it out: Oct 2025

OCT 27, 2025, 6:45 AM EDT | ARTICLE SOURCE

Ancient incense, cosmetics and mummies: Scientists sniff out the scents of the past

How can reconstructing long-lost smells of ancient artifacts help us connect with the past?

By Gayoung Lee edited by Andrea Thompson & Clara Moskowitz

Shideh Ghandeharizadeh

Gayoung Lee is a science journalist and former news intern and Games ace at Scientific American. A philosopher turned journalist, originally from South Korea, Lee is interested finding unexpected connections between life and different science, particularly in theoretical physics and mathematics. You can read more about her here: https://gayoung-lee.carrd.co

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-archaeology-is-reviving-the-smell-of-history on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Language

- Science crossword: Consciousness carriers: Jan 2026

JAN 21, 2026, 6:21 PM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

Science Crossword: Consciousness Carriers

By Aimee Lucido

Aimee Lucido makes crosswords part-time for several outlets and writes trivia full-time for Bloomberg's news quiz, Pointed. She is also the author of several books for kids, including Emmy in the Key of Code, Recipe for Disaster, and Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta. Lucido lives with her husband, daughter and dog in New York.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-crossword-consciousness-carriers on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Dogs

- Which dog breed stereotypes are true? Here’s the science: Jan 2026

JAN 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

From anxious Weimaraners to aggressive Chihuahuas: What science can tell us about dog breeds

A large dataset shows some dog stereotypes are based in reality, and others might be unfair characterizations

By Humberto Basilio, Miriam Quick, Jen Christiansen & Lee Lotor edited by Clara Moskowitz & Jen Christiansen

Lee Lotor and Jen Christiansen

Humberto Basilio is a Mexican science journalist covering policy, health, misconduct, archaeology and the environment. His work has been published in the New York Times, National Geographic, Science, Nature, and more. He was previously a news intern at Scientific American.

Miriam Quick is a data journalist who investigates scientific, environmental, economic and cultural issues. Her analyses and storytelling have been featured by major international media outlets, including the BBC, the New York Times, Scientific American and Sentient Media. Her book I Am a Book. I Am a Portal to the Universe (Particular, 2020), co-authored with Stefanie Posavec, won the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2021.

Jen Christiansen is acting chief of design and senior graphics editor at Scientific American, where she art directs and produces illustrated explanatory diagrams and data visualizations. She is also author of the book Building Science Graphics: An Illustrated Guide to Communicating Science through Diagrams and Visualizations (CRC Press). In 1996 she began her publishing career in New York City at Scientific American. Subsequently she moved to Washington, D.C., to join the staff of National Geographic (first as an assistant art director–researcher hybrid and then as a designer), spent four years as a freelance science communicator and returned to Scientific American in 2007. Christiansen presents and writes on topics ranging from reconciling her love for art and science to her quest to learn more about the pulsar chart on the cover of Joy Division’s album Unknown Pleasures. She holds a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a B.A. in geology and studio art from Smith College. Follow Christiansen on Bluesky @jenchristiansen.com

Lee Lotor is an independent artist, based in the western U.S., who creates digital art inspired by native North American ecosystems and wildlife. Lotor strives to increase awareness for conservation through unique and creative artwork that highlights the interconnectedness of the natural world.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/which-dog-breed-stereotypes-are-true-heres-the-science on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

History

- February 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago: Jan 2026

JAN 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EST | ARTICLE SOURCE

February 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago

Giant atoms; corpses for science

By Jeanna Bryner

1976, Industrial Robot: Made Unimation, Inc., of Danbury, Conn., the Unimate robot can execute six basic motions. In this multiple-exposure photograph, the robot's gripper, or hand, is holding lights of different colors to distinguish the six motions. The pistonlike arm is capable of three motions: in-out (blue), up-down (white) and left-right (red). At any position of the robot's arm, the gripper can execute three more motions: bend (orange), swivel (green) and yaw (yellow).

Scientific American, Vol 234, No. 2; February 1976

Jeanna Bryner is executive editor of Scientific American. Previously she was editor in chief of Live Science and, prior to that, an editor at Scholastic's Science World magazine. Bryner has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species, including the gorgeous Florida Scrub Jay. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She is a firm believer that science is for everyone and that just about everything can be viewed through the lens of science.

This article was downloaded from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/february-2026-science-history-from-50-100-and-150-years-ago on Jan 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST.

Table of Contents

Scientific American: February 2026 Vol. 334, Issue 2

Culture

A bright light in the dark: Jan 2026

Readers respond to the October 2025 issue: Jan 2026

Artificial Intelligence

How one mom used vibe coding to build an AI tutor for her dyslexic son: Oct 2025

Neuroscience

The neuroscience behind the ‘parenting paradox’ of happiness: Oct 2025

Mathematics

The math mystery that connects Sudoku, flight schedules and protein folding: Jan 2025

Milky Way

Why is the Milky Way warped?: Nov 2025

Health

Heal injuries faster with new science: Jan 2026

Arts

Poem: ‘E = mc²’: Jan 2026

Archaeology

History smelled. Here’s how we’re sniffing it out: Oct 2025

Language

Science crossword: Consciousness carriers: Jan 2026

Dogs

Which dog breed stereotypes are true? Here’s the science: Jan 2026

History

February 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago: Jan 2026