Science & technology

Illustration of a muscular pink genie emerging from a syringe-shaped pump and flexing its arms against a green background.

Science & technology

How well do anabolic steroids work?

Very. But beware the side-effects

3 min read

The hand of a person writing mathematical equations with chalk on a blackboard.

Article Media - PodcastPodcasts

Maths enters its AI era

Our podcast on science and technology. Mathematicians want to use LLMs to push the frontiers

47:52

People gather in Azadi square, holding flags with faces of the three supreme leaders at a government-organized march.

Science & technology

AI models are being used to predict conflict

Good data are hard to come by

5 min read

Cartoon illustration of two Neanderthals performing a prehistoric dental procedure with stone tools, surrounded by rocks and primitive objects.

Science & technology

Neanderthals went to the dentist (really)

They did so tens of thousands of years before humans

3 min read

Conceptual illustration about lactology showing a woman partially submerged in liquid, with a droplet falling toward the surface and a baby reaching upward beneath it.

Science & technology

Why many women cannot make enough breast milk

The causes are often beyond their control

7 min read

Illustration of a house silhouette with a big plant and clouds inside

Science & technology

Do houseplants improve air quality?

Air purifiers are more effective and easier to maintain

3 min read

At left RNA (ribonucleic acid) polymerase (light blue) is transcribing DNA (dark violet) to pre-mRNA (messenger RNA, light violet).

Science & technology

The human genome encodes for a new category of molecule

They may be useful targets for future drugs

4 min read

This aerial view shows health personnel assisting patients onto a boat from the cruise ship MV Hondius, while stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde

Science & technology

How worried should you be about hantavirus?

An outbreak on a cruise ship has authorities concerned

3 min read

Michael Pollan during a recording of The Economist's Babbage podcast.

Article Media - PodcastPodcasts

Michael Pollan on the mystery of consciousness

Our podcast on science and technology. This week, author Michael Pollan says that understanding consciousness may require a new kind of science

40:23

illustration of biohazard symbol in pixel art style on yellow background.

Science & technology

How AI tools could enable bioterrorism

Leading models are getting better at designing pathogens

7 min read

of a man in red briefs with acupuncture needles radiating around his body on a blue background.

Science & technology

Does acupuncture work?

It seems useful for pain. The jury’s out on everything else

3 min read

View of a hall full of people at Black Hat Asia 2026.

Science & technology

A glimpse into cyber-security’s AI-driven future

A hacking conference reveals how machines will defend us

5 min read