Viewpoint
Civil wars, famine, corrupt governments: Africa just doesn’t seem to be able to find peace.
Nevertheless, some positive prospects are opening up.
Physics & Astronomy
No, the sky is not falling, but it does occasionally rain down cosmic chunks. And these are an enrichment for research.
Biology & Medicine
What goes on in the heads of zebra finches when the males and females engage in a tête-à-tête?
Material & Technology
Machines are naturally dumb. They lack flexibility and the ability to react appropriately and at the right time. Scientists are trying to teach robots something akin to intelligence.
Environment & Climate
In December 2004, a giant wave hit the coasts of the Gulf of Bengal, wreaking catastrophic damage. But the destruction from this tsunami affected more than just nature: it also threw the economic and social order into disarray.
Culture & Society
What is the significance of the dances of bees, which have been observed since antiquity? Karl von Frisch decoded the mystery.
Personal Portrait: James W. Vaupel