Many human activities release pollutants into the air, water and soil. These harmful chemicals threaten the health of both people and the ecosystem. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated 4.2 million deaths annually^[1].

Scientists are looking into solutions, and one potential avenue is a class of materials...

Curious Kids^[1] is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.^[2]. Is it possible to make a phone through which we can smell, like we can hear and see? – Muneeba K, 10, Pakistan Imagine this: You pick up your phone for a video call with a

As any avid gardener will tell you, plants with sharp thorns and prickles can leave you looking like you’ve had a run-in with an angry cat. Wouldn’t it be nice to rid plants of their prickles entirely but keep the tasty fruits and beautiful flowers?

I’m a geneticist^[1] who, along with my colleagues, recently discovered the gene that...