Physics in an alternate universe

Plus: Rice production in a changing climate, the Mexican father of the pill, prehistoric footprints and more

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09/26/2021 Rice feeds half the world. Climate change’s droughts and floods put it at risk Rice provides sustenance for billions who have no alternative, and climate change threatens to slash production. Growers will need to innovate to provide an important crop as climate whiplash brings drought and floods to fields worldwide. Read More One of nature’s key constants is much larger in a quantum material The fine-structure constant is 10 times its normal value in the material, giving a peek into what physics in an alternate universe could look like. Read More Why only some people will get COVID-19 booster shots at first “In a pandemic, even with uncertainty, we must take actions that we anticipate will do the greatest good,” CDC director Rochelle Walensky said. Read More Luis Miramontes helped enable the sexual revolution. Why isn’t he better known? By synthesizing norethindrone, one of the first active ingredients in birth control pills, Luis Miramontes helped usher in the sexual revolution. Read More Science News is a nonprofit. We depend on our readers to support our journalism. You can help by subscribing for as little as $25. SUBSCRIBE NOW ‘Ghost tracks’ suggest people came to the Americas earlier than once thought Prehistoric people’s footprints show that humans were in North America during the height of the last ice age, researchers say. Read More Bloodthirsty vampire bats like to drink with friends over strangers Cooperation among vampire bats extends beyond the roost. New research suggests that bonded bats often drink blood from animals together. Read More DNA offers a new look at how Polynesia was settled Modern genetic evidence suggests that statue builders on islands such as Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, had a shared ancestry. Read More The Top 10 scientific surprises of Science News’ first 100 years In the 100 years since Science News started reporting on it, science has offered up plenty of unexpected discoveries. Read More Privacy policy  |  Update Profile  | Manage Subscriptions  |   Unsubscribe This email was sent by: Society for Science 1719 N Street NW Washington, DC, 20036, US