A century ago, the strange behavior of atoms and elementary particles led physicists to formulate a new theory of nature. That theory, quantum mechanics, found immediate success, proving its worth with accurate calculations of hydrogen’s emission and absorption of light. There was, however, a snag. The central equation of quantum mechanics featured the imaginary number… Continue reading Physicists Take the Imaginary Numbers Out of Quantum Mechanics
Despite Union Opposition, Massachusetts House Puts Students and Teachers First with Literacy Reform
Last week, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed a bipartisan literacy reform bill, 155-0, that would mandate the evidence-based, “science of reading” approach that has swept the country. The state, additionally, has a $35 million grant program called Literacy Launch that is dedicated to helping districts transition their curriculum to science-based literacy materials. After years of… Continue reading Despite Union Opposition, Massachusetts House Puts Students and Teachers First with Literacy Reform
Doctors Are Torn over Controversial New Alzheimer’s Treatments. Here’s Why
This article is part of “Innovations In: Alzheimer’s Disease” an editorially independent special report that was produced with financial support from Eisai. One of neurologist Anelyssa D’Abreu’s least favorite tasks is giving her patients a dreaded diagnosis: early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. But it’s not quite as bad as it used to be. Today when they ask,… Continue reading Doctors Are Torn over Controversial New Alzheimer’s Treatments. Here’s Why
Demilitarization in Gaza: Could the Palestinian Authority Be Part of the Solution?
This commentary was originally published by The National Interest on October 30, 2025. After the ceasefire in Gaza, the first phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan is nearing completion. All surviving Israeli hostages have returned home after two hellish years in Hamas’s tunnels; the remains of the dead hostages are being retrieved—too slowly,… Continue reading Demilitarization in Gaza: Could the Palestinian Authority Be Part of the Solution?
St. Albert the Great & Magic
Podcast: Download MYS390: How do science and magic intersect? St. Albert the Great wanted to understand. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli, joined by Dr. Justin Sledge, unpack St. Albert the Great’s mystical side—his writings on magic, alchemy, and the hidden powers of nature. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email |… Continue reading St. Albert the Great & Magic
How Your Brain Creates ‘Aha’ Moments and Why They Stick
A few days after the initial experiment, the team tested participants’ memory by having them look at more Mooney images online, including some they had seen before. Participants were better able to remember prior images that they had rated highly on the three aspects of insight. This suggested that the insight-memory advantage was real, but… Continue reading How Your Brain Creates ‘Aha’ Moments and Why They Stick
The U.S. Tackled Crippling Federal Debt Before. It Can Do So Again
The total federal debt of the United States passed a new milestone on October 21, 2025, reaching $38 trillion for the first time, with $30.4 trillion in federal debt held by the public, which is equivalent to about 100 percent of our gross domestic product (GDP). This is the highest level it’s been relative to… Continue reading The U.S. Tackled Crippling Federal Debt Before. It Can Do So Again
A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared
In 2016 billionaire Yuri Milner hosted a press conference at One World Observatory, the atrium topping the slick skyscraper at the center of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex. Milner had grown rich investing in tech start-ups, and now he wanted to spend some of that money on sending a spaceship to the stars. He… Continue reading A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared
In Europe, the Problem Is Deterrence, Not Drones
This op-ed originally appeared in Defense News. Defense News is the authoritative, independent, professional news source for the world’s defense decisionmakers. Since multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland last month, European leaders have expedited the idea of a “drone wall” and rushed to discuss the need to invest in countering drones. But when it comes… Continue reading In Europe, the Problem Is Deterrence, Not Drones
What Is a Manifold? | Quanta Magazine
Standing in the middle of a field, we can easily forget that we live on a round planet. We’re so small in comparison to the Earth that from our point of view, it looks flat. The world is full of such shapes — ones that look flat to an ant living on them, even though… Continue reading What Is a Manifold? | Quanta Magazine