T/science

SpaceX’s Starship Malfunctions During 8th Test Flight
Video, March 7

While the Starship’s booster successfully returned to the launchpad, the upper-stage spacecraft failed in space and lost several engines and attitude control, tumbling in space.

Breakup of SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Disrupts Florida Airports
Science, Today

Video showed the upper stage of the most powerful rocket ever built spinning out of control in space, a repeat of an unsuccessful test flight in January that led to debris falling over the Caribbean.

An eclipse is coming on both Earth and the moon.
Science, Today

Expect more moon landings later this year.
Science, Today

The struggles of other spacecraft that shared Athena’s launch to space.
Science, Today

Why it’s easier to fall down on the moon.
Science, Today

Why NASA Is Trying to Go Back to the Moon
Science, Today

President Trump set the U.S. on a path to sending astronauts back to the lunar surface during his first term. Lately he has expressed more interest in Mars.

Athena is bringing wheels and deals to the moon’s surface.
Science, Today

A robot will make a hop, a skip and a jump on the moon’s surface.
Science, Today

This is what will happen when Athena tries to land on the moon.
Science, Today

A drill is the Athena lander’s key cargo.
Science, Today

Where Athena is landing.
Science, Today

Hit by ‘Gut Punches,’ Scientists Band Together to Protest Trump
Science, Today

Stand Up for Science aims to revive a movement that started in 2017, but with an all-new team and a more focused vision.

Déjà moon? Another spacecraft just landed on the moon on Sunday.
Science, Today

Intuitive Machines landed on the moon and then tipped over.
Science, Today

What to know about the moon landing.
Science, Today

Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lander Is on the Moon, but Its Fate Is Unclear
Science, Today

After hours of uncertainty, officials from the Houston company said there are clues that the spacecraft is on its side, which could limit the mission’s scientific accomplishments.

Las hojas de té pueden eliminar el plomo del agua, según un estudio
En español, Yesterday

Los investigadores descubrieron que los compuestos de las hojas de té negro y verde actuaban como “velcro” en las moléculas de plomo.

Trove of Ancient Axes Shows Early Humans Made Tools From Bones
Science, Yesterday

Deep in a trench in Tanzania, researchers found dozens of tools crafted from animal bones some 1.5 million years old.

150 Years of Change: How Old Photos, Recaptured, Reveal a Shifting Climate
Travel, Yesterday

In the heart of Utah’s Uinta Mountains, a team of scientists is re-creating historical pictures to study how much, and how quickly, ecosystems are changing.

SpaceX Scrubs 8th Starship Rocket Test Flight
Science, March 3

The company has made changes to the vehicle, part of which blew up over the Caribbean in January during the seventh test flight. An issue during the countdown halted Monday’s launch.

What a Crab Sees Before It Gets Eaten by a Cuttlefish
Science, March 3

Cuttlefish use visual tricks to avoid being eaten. New research shows how they deploy similar camouflage to bamboozle their prey.

Vesuvius Turned One Victim’s Brain to Glass
Science, March 2

Heat from the eruption in A.D. 79 was so intense that it vitrified the brain tissue of one unfortunate Herculaneum resident, a new study confirms.

Horticulturists, Biologists, Engineers: Federal ‘Bloat’ or Valued Experts?
Washington, March 2

President Trump’s effort to remake the government is a direct challenge to a decades-long effort to build a civil service stocked with experts. Critics say it will backfire.

Vesuvius Erupted, but When Exactly?
Science, March 2

Two thousand years on, scholars still don’t agree on the day the destruction of Pompeii began. Two new studies only fan the fire.

‘Moon Dust on Our Boots’: Texas Company’s Blue Ghost Lands on Lunar Surface
Science, March 2

Firefly Aerospace’s robotic vehicle became the second privately built spacecraft to make a soft landing on the moon. It could soon be joined by two more private lunar landers.

How Fungi Move Among Us
Science, March 1

Underground fungal networks are “living algorithms” that quietly help regulate Earth’s climate. Now scientists know what makes them so efficient.

It’s Like Virtual Reality Goggles for Your Mouth
Science, February 28

Scientists tested a device that helped volunteers taste flavors meant to represent distant samples of coffee, lemonade, fried eggs, cake and fish soup.

Tea Leaves Can Steep Away Lead, Study Finds
Science, February 28

Researchers found that compounds in black and green tea leaves acted like “little Velcro” hooks on lead molecules.

As the E.P.A. Withers, Will Its Museum Follow?
Science, February 28

Tucked away near the White House is a tribute to the environmental agency and its history — for the time being, anyway.

Tesla Fires a Manager Who Criticized Elon Musk on Social Media
Business, February 27

The employee objected to a post on X by Mr. Musk, Tesla’s chief executive and a top adviser to President Trump, that referred to Nazi leaders.

Katy Perry and Gayle King Are Among Blue Origin’s All-Female Space Crew
Express, February 27

They will be aboard the New Shepard, the centerpiece rocket of Blue Origin’s space tourism business, in a launch this spring.

NASA Hitches a Ride to the Moon to Map Water for Astronauts
Science, February 27

Lunar Trailblazer, an orbiter that shared a launch on Wednesday with the commercial Athena lander, will help scientists understand where the moon’s water is, and what form it takes.

SpaceX Launches Intuitive Machines’ Moon Lander
Video, February 27

Onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is Athena, Intuitive Machine’s second moon lander, with instruments designed to dig up lunar soil and search for compounds like frozen water.

Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lander Launches on Journey to the Moon
Science, February 26

The company reached the lunar surface in 2024, and now its second lander aims to improve on the feat. Three other spacecraft also hitched a ride on the SpaceX rocket.

Early Humans Thrived in Rainforests
Science, February 26

The discovery clashes with the traditional image of humans evolving on the savannas of East Africa.

Mass Federal Firings May Imperil Crops, Cattle and Pets
Science, February 26

The terminations, which hit agencies involved in protecting the nation’s food supply and agricultural products, could have long-lasting consequences, experts said.

La NASA dice que el asteroide 2024 YR4 ya no es una amenaza para la Tierra
En español, February 25

La agencia espacial estadounidense comunicó el “fin de la alarma”, y dijo que la probabilidad de que la roca espacial chocara con el planeta había disminuido hasta el 0,004 por ciento.

Desfile planetario: cómo ver este fenómeno celeste
En español, February 25

Al unirse Mercurio al espectáculo nocturno, los siete vecinos de la Tierra estarán presentes en el cielo esta semana.

NASA Gives ‘All Clear’ for Asteroid That Seemed to Threaten Earth
Science, February 25

The odds that the space rock, 2024 YR4, will smash into our planet in 2032 have dropped to nearly zero, leading astronomers to conclude that we are no longer in danger.

F.D.A. Reinstates Fired Medical Device, Food and Legal Staffers
Science, February 24

The agency changed course just days after firing employees who oversee the safety of food and life-sustaining medical devices. Dozens of workers said they and others were back at work Monday.

A Parade of Planets Is Marching Through the Night Sky
Science, February 24

With Mercury joining the show, all seven of Earth’s celestial neighbors will be present at dusk this week.

Take a Look: A Dark Scottish Isle Where Starlight Reigns Supreme
Science, February 24

On Rum, Europe’s newest dark-sky sanctuary, the island’s 40 residents have learned to embrace darkness.

Earth’s 1st Asteroid Mining Prospector Heads to the Launchpad
Science, February 23

The dream of mining metals in deep space crashed and burned in the 2010s. AstroForge’s Odin mission to survey a potentially metallic asteroid is packed and ready to lift off.

Una misión para curar a los ‘monstruos’ que nos dieron el Ozempic
En español, February 22

Tras años en la industria farmacéutica, un químico cambió de rumbo para ayudar a salvar a los monstruos de Gila, la especie que hizo posible el popular fármaco para adelgazar.

Accessibility Initiatives Are Taking a Hit Across the Sciences
Science, February 22

Confusion has ensued about the future of programs and research supporting people with disabilities as a result of President Trump’s executive order.

Trump Administration Stalls Scientific Research Despite Court Ruling
Science, February 21

Using an arcane law, officials have effectively delayed funding from the National Institutes of Health, leaving medical studies in jeopardy.

A Boneyard Along the Thames River Reveals London’s Ancient Burials
Science, February 21

Researchers have found dozens of human bones on the banks of the iconic river, many of them thousands of years old.

¿A Elon Musk le sigue importando vender coches?
En español, February 21

Musk, uno de los principales asesores del presidente Trump, no ha esbozado un plan para revertir la caída de ventas de la empresa de automóviles eléctricos de la que es director ejecutivo.

Microsoft Says It Has Created a New State of Matter to Power Quantum Computers
Business, February 19

Microsoft’s new “topological qubit” is not based on a solid, liquid or gas. It is another phase of matter that many experts did not think was possible.

Trillions of Viruses Live in Your Body. A.I. Is Trying to Find Them.
Science, February 19

The Human Virome Program will analyze samples from thousands of volunteers in an effort to understand how viruses affect health.

El 2024 YR4 se convirtió en el asteroide con mayores probabilidades de impactar contra la Tierra
En español, February 19

Se espera que el objeto, que mide entre 40 y 91 metros de largo, pase muy cerca del planeta en el año 2032. En la actualidad, sus probabilidades de impactar contra la Tierra son del 3,1 por ciento.

Dickson Despommier Dies at 84; Championed Farming in Skyscrapers
Obits, February 18

A Columbia microbiologist, he popularized “vertical farming” — raising crops in tall buildings — to remediate climate change and feed more people.

Will That Asteroid Strike Earth? Risk Level Rises to Highest Ever Recorded.
Science, February 18

The threat from space rock 2024 YR4 has surpassed that of Apophis, an asteroid feared by scientists 20 years ago. The danger remains low, but experts are estimating the damage that could be done.

The Gene That Made Mice Squeak Strangely
Science, February 18

A new study suggests that the NOVA1 gene may have been a key player in the evolution of human language.

Louis Pasteur’s Relentless Hunt for Germs Floating in the Air
Science, February 17

In 19th-century France, the young chemist challenged the theory of spontaneous generation and discovered an invisible world of airborne microbes.

On a Mission to Heal Gila Monsters
Science, February 16

After years in Big Pharma, a chemist pivoted to help save the species that made Ozempic possible.

As Trump Slashes Federal Jobs, Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’ Braces for Impact
National, February 15

In Huntsville, a city fueled by defense and aerospace, there is anxiety but also cautious optimism that federal investment may still come its way.

6 formas en que el alcohol puede afectar tu salud intestinal
En español, February 15

Si tienes estos síntomas digestivos comunes, beber menos puede ayudar.

Eleanor Maguire, Memory Expert Who Studied London Cabbies, Dies at 54
Obits, February 14

By watching the brain process information, she discovered that a specific region plays a key role in spatial navigation — and that it can be strengthened like a muscle.

Meet the Champion Who Memorized 80 Numbers in 13.5 Seconds
Obits, February 14

This month, Vishvaa Rajakumar won the Memory League World Championship, which tests memorization skills. He shared some of his techniques with The Times.

Hummingbirds Living in a Hive Found for the First Time
Science, February 14

In a remote mountain cave in Ecuador, hummingbirds were discovered sleeping and nesting together.

Lasers, Waffle Fries and the Secrets in Pterosaurs’ Tails
Science, February 14

Scientists identified new structures in the tail vanes of the prehistoric flying reptiles.

A Mathematician Who Makes the Best of Things
Science, February 14

Alessio Figalli studies optimal transport, a field of math that ranges from the movements of clouds to the workings of chatbots.

This City’s Sewer System Is Full of Alligators, but It’s Not New York
Science, February 13

Researchers found crocodilians, bats, raccoons and other creatures prowling a Florida town’s storm drains, “like something out of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’” one said.

C.D.C. Study Finds Silent Bird Flu Infections in Dairy Veterinarians
Science, February 13

The vets had no symptoms, and one worked only in states where no dairy infections had been reported.

Measles Outbreak Hits Town in Texas
Science, February 12

As of Tuesday, 22 children and two adults had been infected, all of whom were unvaccinated, local officials said.

A Deep-Sea Fish of Nightmares Strays Into Shallow Waters
Express, February 12

A scary-looking creature with “devil” in its name was spotted close to the surface off Tenerife, a Spanish island.

‘Ultrahigh Energy’ Neutrino Found With a Telescope Under the Sea
Science, February 12

It’s the most energetic particle of its kind ever discovered, and scientists have no idea where it came from.

Can Understanding the Brain Make Us Better People?
Book Review, February 12

In “Cerebral Entanglements,” Allan J. Hamilton argues that new imaging technologies give us unprecedented access — with revolutionary implications.

Birds of Paradise Glow on Mating Parade
Science, February 12

The always colorful males light up with biofluorescence, sending off signals.

Helen Hays, Who Helped Bring Terns Back to Long Island Sound, Dies at 94
Obits, February 11

Beginning in 1969, she spent five months a year on Great Gull Island, leading teams of young volunteers devoted to preserving the seabirds.

Covid Learning Losses
N Y T Now, February 11

We explain the ways students haven’t recovered.

Her Discovery Wasn’t Alien Life, but Science Has Never Been the Same
Science, February 11

The internet erupted in controversy over Felisa Wolfe-Simon and colleagues’ claim of a microbe thriving on arsenic. Nearly 15 years later, she’s pursuing new research on the boundaries of life.

Scientists Detect Shape-Shifting Along Earth’s Solid Inner Core
Science, February 10

The new research adds to the mysteries of the planet’s deepest interior region.

Ban on D.E.I. Language Sweeps Through the Sciences
Science, February 9

President Trump’s executive order is altering scientific exploration across a broad swath of fields, even beyond government agencies, researchers say.

But how much does breed shape a dog’s health and behavior?
Science, February 9

Here’s what scientists have learned about how a dog’s breed affects its health and behavior.

Why the Odds of an Asteroid Striking Earth in 2032 Keep Going Up (and Down)
Science, February 8

NASA and European scientists explain how they calculate the probability of the space rock 2024 YR4 impacting our planet, and why it’s not yet time to worry.

Curses! A Swearing Expert Mulls the State of Profanity.
Science, February 8

Timothy Jay, a scholar in the science of swearing, has a few choice words about why we curse and how to cut back (if you want to).

How Alcohol Affects Your Gut
Video, February 7

If you have gut problems, alcohol might be contributing to them. Alice Callahan, a reporter covering nutrition and health for The New York Times, describes several common effects.

Scared of Spiders? Also Scared of Zombies? We Have Some Bad News.
Science, February 7

A BBC documentary crew in Northern Ireland stumbled upon a fungus that hijacks spiders in an arachnid version of “The Last of Us.”

Humpback Whales Sing the Way Humans Speak
Science, February 6

The animals’ complex songs share structural patterns with human language that may make them easier for whales to learn, a new study suggests.

What Lurks in This Flower’s Bizarrely Large Y Chromosome?
Science, February 6

Scientists published a full genetic sequence of the genes that make some white campions male, and hope their work could unlock how the flower got that way.

How to Boil an Egg? Scientists Claim to Have Cracked the Recipe.
Science, February 6

Their new method takes 32 minutes.

Fossils Preserve Both Skin and Scales From an Ancient Sea Monster
Science, February 6

The mix of features offers new clues to how plesiosaurs navigated prehistoric oceans.

6 Ways Alcohol Can Affect Your Gut
Well, February 6

If you have these common digestive symptoms, drinking less may help.

Ancient DNA Points to Origins of Indo-European Language
Science, February 5

A new study claims to have identified the first speakers of Indo-European language, which gave rise to English, Sanskrit and hundreds of others.

The Physics That Keeps a Crowd From Becoming a Stampede
Science, February 5

A group of scientists studying the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, believe there’s a way to predict the motions of a large crowd.

The Search for the Original Silly Goose in the Fossil Record
Science, February 5

Some paleontologists think that fossils recovered from Antarctica are evidence of birds similar to modern geese and ducks that lived alongside the dinosaurs.

NASA Gave Up a Ride to the Moon. This Startup’s Rover Took It.
Science, February 5

After the space agency canceled its VIPER rover, an empty space was available on a private spacecraft that will still head to the lunar surface.

American Children’s Reading Skills Reach New Lows
National, January 29

With little post-pandemic recovery, experts wonder if screen time and school absence are among the causes.

U.S. Students Posted Dire Math Declines on an International Test
National, December 4

On the test, American fourth and eighth graders posted results similar to scores from 1995. It was a sign of notable stagnation, even as other countries saw improvements.

Hoping for Allies Among Trump’s Health Picks, Pharma Faces Hostility
Science, November 27

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other candidates for top health posts are at odds with the drug industry, setting the stage for tense battles over regulatory changes.

The Education Crisis Neither Candidate Will Address
Op Ed, October 9

Covid learning loss and chronic absenteeism aren’t going to fix themselves

Fauci Grilled by Lawmakers on Masks, Vaccine Mandates and Lab Leak Theory
Science, June 3

Dr. Fauci testified before a House panel investigating Covid’s origins. The panel found emails suggesting that his aides were skirting public records laws.

Supernova or Coronavirus: Can You Tell the Difference?
Science, May 21

A scientist finds beauty in the “visual synonyms” that exist in images seen through microscopes and telescopes.

U.S. Tightens Rules on Risky Virus Research
Science, May 7

A long-awaited new policy broadens the type of regulated viruses, bacteria, fungi and toxins, including those that could threaten crops and livestock.

Republicans Step Up Attacks on Scientist at Heart of Lab Leak Theory
Science, May 1

A heated hearing produced no new evidence that Peter Daszak or his nonprofit, EcoHealth Alliance, were implicated in the Covid outbreak.

Biotech Exec Gets 7 Years in Prison for False Claims About Rapid Covid-19 Test
Express, April 13

Prosecutors said Keith Berman falsely claimed he had invented a blood test that could detect Covid-19 in 15 seconds. His lawyer said he had put “genuine effort” into developing such a test.

¿Cuál es la siguiente fase del coronavirus?
En español, March 23

Los científicos que estudian la evolución continua del virus y las respuestas inmunitarias del organismo esperan evitar un rebrote y comprender mejor la covid prolongada.

What’s Next for the Coronavirus?
Science, March 22

Scientists studying the virus’s continuing evolution, and the body’s immune responses, hope to head off a resurgence and to better understand long Covid.

Where the Wild Things Went During the Pandemic
Science, March 18

A new study of camera-trap images complicates the idea that all wildlife thrived during the Covid lockdowns.

A Fern’s ‘Zombie’ Fronds Sprout Unusual Roots
Science, February 25

In the Panamanian rainforest, scientists found the first known plant species to transform decaying tissue into a new source of nutrients.

Before the Coronavirus Pandemic, Overlooked Clues From Chinese Scientists
Science, January 18

Newly released documents indicate that a U.S. genetic database had received the sequence of the coronavirus two weeks before it was made public by others.

Omicron, Now 2 Years Old, Is Not Done With Us Yet
Science, November 21

The dominant variant of the coronavirus has proved to be not only staggeringly infectious, but an evolutionary marvel.

Lab Leak Fight Casts Chill Over Virology Research
Science, October 16

Scientists doing “gain-of-function” research said that heightened fears of lab leaks are stalling studies that could thwart the next pandemic virus.

Inside a High-Security Virus Lab
Interactive, October 16

High-security labs, like this one at Penn State, are at the center of a debate over research that alters viruses to make them more dangerous.

The Nation’s Top-Performing Public School System
N Y T Now, October 10

Schools run by the Defense Department educate 66,000 children of civilian employees and service members.

We Can Fight Learning Loss Only With Accountability and Action
Op Ed, September 5

Let’s bring back an era of accountability.

U.S. Students’ Progress Stagnated Last School Year, Study Finds
National, July 11

Despite billions in federal aid, students are not making up ground in reading and math: “We are actually seeing evidence of backsliding.”

What the New, Low Test Scores for 13-Year-Olds Say About U.S. Education Now
National, June 21

The results are the federal government’s last major data release on the academic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wild Mammals Roamed When Covid Kept Humans Home
Science, June 8

Strict pandemic lockdowns may have allowed animals to range more widely and spend time closer to roads, a new study suggests.

Schools Received Billions in Stimulus Funds. It May Not Be Doing Enough.
Washington, June 5

Pandemic aid was supposed to help students recover from learning loss, but results have been mixed.

Many Women Have an Intense Fear of Childbirth, Survey Suggests
Science, May 16

Tokophobia, as it’s called, is not often studied in the United States. But a new survey finds that it may be very common, particularly among Black women and in disadvantaged communities.

We Could Easily Make Risky Virological Research Safer
Op Ed, May 10

Lab safety doesn’t need to torpedo scientific progress.

It’s Not Just Math and Reading: U.S. History Scores for 8th Graders Plunge
National, May 3

The latest test results continue a nearly decade-long decline. Try a sample quiz to test your knowledge.

Scientist Revisits Data on Raccoon Dogs and Covid, Stressing the Unknowns
Science, April 29

After analyzing genetic data swabbed from a Wuhan market in early 2020, a virologist said it was unclear if animals for sale there had been infected.

Can Africa Get Close to Vaccine Independence? Here’s What It Will Take.
Science, April 25

Leaders on the continent have vowed that if there is another pandemic, they won’t be shut out of the vaccine market.

China Publishes Data Showing Raccoon Dog DNA at Wuhan Market
Science, April 5

Scientists from the Chinese C.D.C. confirmed that DNA from raccoon dogs and other animals susceptible to the coronavirus was found at the market in early 2020.

Wuhan Market Samples Contained Covid and Animal Mixtures, Report Says
Science, March 21

In a much-anticipated study, experts described a swab that was positive for the coronavirus and contained loads of genetic material from raccoon dogs.

New Data Links Pandemic’s Origins to Raccoon Dogs at Wuhan Market
Science, March 17

Genetic samples from the market were recently uploaded to an international database and then removed after scientists asked China about them.

Biden Proposal Would Ban Online Prescribing of Certain Drugs
Science, February 25

Some medications, like Ritalin and Vicodin, would require an in-person doctor’s visit under the new rules, a reaction to the pandemic-era rise of telemedicine.

After Long Delay, Moderna Pays N.I.H. for Covid Vaccine Technique
Science, February 23

Moderna has paid $400 million to the government for a chemical technique key to its vaccine. But the parties are still locked in a high-stakes dispute over a different patent.

She Helped Unlock the Science of the Covid Vaccine
Science, February 9

Kizzmekia Corbett helped lead a team of scientists contributing to one of the most stunning achievements in the history of immunizations: a highly effective, easily manufactured vaccine against Covid-19.

When Animals Are Used in Research
Letters, January 31

Readers discuss experimentation on lab animals. Also: Racism in America; preparing for the next pandemic; maternal deaths; Amazon’s donations.

Expert Panel Votes for Stricter Rules on Risky Virus Research
Science, January 27

The White House will decide whether to adopt the panel’s recommendations on so-called gain of function experiments.

N.I.H. Did Not Properly Track a Group Studying Coronaviruses, Report Finds
Science, January 26

An internal federal watchdog said that the health agency had not given adequate oversight to EcoHealth Alliance, which had been awarded $8 million in grants.

Health Experts Warily Eye XBB.1.5, the Latest Omicron Subvariant
Science, January 7

A young version of the coronavirus makes up one-quarter of Covid cases across the United States and over 70 percent of new cases in the Northeast.

Your Tuesday Briefing: China’s Space Push
N Y T Now, December 12

Plus China’s vaccination pivot and the year’s most stylish “people.”

Your Monday Briefing: The World Cup Semifinals Loom
N Y T Now, December 11

Plus, China’s sluggish economy and the arrest of the Lockerbie bombing suspect.

Ómicron cumple un año. Así ha evolucionado
en Español, November 29

Al cumplirse el aniversario del descubrimiento de la variante, los expertos en virología siguen intentando ponerse al día con la rápida transformación de ómicron.

Happy Birthday, Omicron
Science, November 26

One year after the variant’s discovery, virologists are still scrambling to keep up with Omicron’s rapid evolution.

The Pandemic Generation Goes to College. It Has Not Been Easy.
National, November 1

Students missed a lot of high school instruction. Now many are behind, especially in math, and getting that degree could be harder.

Pandemic Learning Loss Is Not an Emergency
Op Ed, October 29

In a vacuum, test score declines look like bad news. But none of this happened in a vacuum.

G.O.P. Senator’s Report on Covid Origins Suggests Lab Leak, but Offers Little New Evidence
Science, October 27

The report, signed by Senator Richard Burr, foreshadows a new wave of political wrangling over Covid’s origins if Republicans gain control of the House or Senate.

Math Scores Fell in Nearly Every State, and Reading Dipped on National Exam
National, October 24

The results, from what is known as the nation’s report card, offer the most definitive picture yet of the pandemic’s devastating impact on students.

Lab Manipulations of Covid Virus Fall Under Murky Government Rules
Science, October 22

Mouse experiments at Boston University have spotlighted an ambiguous U.S. policy for research on potentially dangerous pathogens.

How One School Is Beating the Odds in Math, the Pandemic’s Hardest-Hit Subject
National, October 15

Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Connecticut overhauled the way it taught — and the way it ran the classroom. Every minute counted.

Russia’s New Onslaught Against Ukraine
Letters, October 10

Readers respond to the latest Russian attacks in Ukraine. Also: The wonders of math; pandemic spending; Republicans and crime.

¿Quién tenía la culpa de que los alumnos de la Universidad de Nueva York estuvieran reprobando química orgánica?
en Español, October 5

Maitland Jones, un profesor respetado, defendió sus estándares. Pero los estudiantes hicieron un reclamo y la universidad lo despidió.

At N.Y.U., Students Were Failing Organic Chemistry. Who Was to Blame?
National, October 3

Maitland Jones Jr., a respected professor, defended his standards. But students started a petition, and the university dismissed him.

N.Y.C. Children Held Ground in Reading, but Lagged in Math, Tests Show
Metro, September 28

The first standardized test results that capture how most city schoolchildren did during the pandemic offered a mixed picture.

¿La variante ómicron llegó para quedarse?
en Español, September 27

La decimotercera variante con nombre del coronavirus parece tener una capacidad sorprendente para evolucionar con nuevas particularidades.

Why Omicron Might Stick Around
Science, September 22

Omicron, the 13th named variant of the coronavirus, seems to have a remarkable capacity to evolve new tricks.

The Quiet Cost of Family Caregiving
Science, September 4

Many employees reduce their hours or stop working to help ailing family members. But it may be years before they fully return to the work force, studies indicate.

The Pandemic Erased Two Decades of Progress in Math and Reading
National, September 1

The results of a national test showed just how devastating the last two years have been for 9-year-old schoolchildren, especially the most vulnerable.

How Bad Is the Teacher Shortage? Depends Where You Live.
National, August 29

Urgently needed: teachers in struggling districts, certified in math or special education. Perks: maybe a pay raise, or how about a four-day week?

Wastewater Disease Tracking: A Photographic Journey From the Sewer to the Lab
Interactive, August 17

Here’s how a scrappy team of scientists, public health experts and plumbers is embracing wastewater surveillance as the future of disease tracking.

El viaje evolutivo de la COVID-19 ha sido funesto e impresionante
en Español, August 11

El coronavirus, como muchos otros virus, evoluciona deprisa. ¿Los seres humanos y su ingenio podrían adaptarse más rápido a él?

We Are Still in a Race Against the Coronavirus
Op Ed, August 10

Human ingenuity must keep up with the coronavirus.