As AI grows more fluent in mimicking human empathy, language and memory, we’re left asking: If a machine can fake awareness so well, what exactly is the real thing?

Knot theory is a branch of topology that has surprisingly practical applications, such as understanding how proteins coil DNA and how molecular structures remain stable. The theory’s central question: ...

Scientific American is part of Springer Nature, which owns or has commercial relations with thousands of scientific ...

A machine-learning algorithm spotted signs of “covert consciousness” in coma patients—in some cases, days before doctors ...

Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of losing homes, businesses—and lives—as giant “gullies” expand into cities ...

Scientific American spoke with experts about what the public can expect in terms of COVID vaccines this fall.

Genetic and anatomical data reveal how the human pelvis acquired its unique shape, enabling our ancestors to walk on two legs ...

AI can transfer strange qualities through seemingly unrelated training—from a love of owls to something more dangerous ...

A survey of Scientific American’s century of quantum coverage helps explain the enduring popularity of strange physics ...

Steep population declines in most countries are expected to have negative effects over the next several generations, but ...

Early on, Nedergaard and Iliff, a glial cell biologist and a vascular physiologist, respectively, hypothesized that waste ...

Overcoming three recent failed tries, Elon Musk’s rocket company successfully flew its reusable jumbo booster and upper-stage ...