Topic: Scientific American Inc.

Are crop yields the Achilles heel of organic farming?

Organic agriculture can't compete with conventional in terms of crop yields, according to a new study.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz didn't know the spark he ignited

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz would be 155 years old today, February 22, 2012. Hertz is known for his discovery of the existence of electromagnetic waves. Applications of his work are myriad, but the scientist himself didn't recognize them.

Ben Franklin: Founding father, inventor, geo-engineer?

Back in 1784, Ben Franklin noted the effect of volcanoes on climate. Was he the world's first geo-engineer?

Newt Gingrich: 8 of the GOP idea man's more unusual ideas

Newt Gingrich is a big ideas guy. Ask anybody. Some of the ideas end up working, while others are a little out there.

Making the most of your magazine subscriptions

When it comes to magazines, keep an eye on how much you are reading, and whether or not a particular subscription enriches your life in some way.

Germany to phase out nuclear power. Could the US do the same?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has endorsed a plan to end all nuclear power in Germany by 2022. Increasingly, studies suggest this is not a far-fetched idea, even for the US.

Harry Houdini: Why the world needs magicians

It's the 137th anniversary of the birth of Harry Houdini, an apt occasion to acknowledge the conjurers, escapologists, and prestidigitators who continually remind us that all is not what it seems.

American Innovation: 13 Born-in-the-USA inventions

There is a long history of innovation in America's relatively short existence; from lone inventors experimenting in garages to collaborating and competing with international scientists. Many of the following 13 inventions have become fixtures in daily life.

List of planets spotted outside our solar system now tops 500

Inaccurate? Possibly. Arbitrary? Definitely. But nonetheless, on Nov. 19, the list of confirmed exoplanets topped 500, and that's still worth celebrating.

Farnborough International Air Show: Supersonic car, anti-aircraft laser debut

The supersonic car 'Bloodhound' was unveiled Monday at the Farnborough International Air Show in Britain. Up in the air, the forthcoming Boeing Dreamliner 787 and the Airbus A400M grabbed eyes.

After Gulf oil spill, Obama plans better use of oceans

With the end of the BP oil spill in sight, Obama orders federal agencies to zone human uses of coastal seas (and the Great Lakes). It won't be easy but it is essential.

It turns out Walt Whitman was right about those giant meteors

A poem in Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass' describes a 'strange huge meteor-procession dazzling and clear shooting over our heads.' Researchers now believe they know what he was referring to.

Air Force to launch X-37 space plane: Precursor to war in orbit?

The Air Force is to launch the first test flight of the X-37 pilotless space plane Wednesday. It's meant to stay aloft for months, but its mission is secret, leading some to worry about its purpose.

Could Hurricane Jimena put out California's wildfires?

Sunrise for solar heat power

Four technologies aim to use heat from the sun to make electricity. But which one has the edge?

Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff

The moon landing in 'real time,' a contemporary prom with old-time racial segregation, Afro-Cuban rhythms from Ricardo Lemvo, and more.

Sustainable population, minus the control

Empowering women will naturally restore balance.

Saving the honeybees

The latest on colony collapse disorder of honeybees.

Work on 'veiled reality' earns French physicist $1.4 million award

Prestigious Templeton Prize recognizes his theory that a new reality lurks behind matter and other observable phenomena.

Horizon highlights – Darwin edition

Australia's climate plans aim low

Australia pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 5 to 15 percent below 2000 levels by 2020, targets that are far less than what scientists say is necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Horizon highlights – Mad scientist edition

Horizon highlights – Black Friday edition

Study reports bad news for world's mammals

At least one-quarter of the world's known mammal species are at risk of becoming extinct, and about half are declining in population, a global survey released Monday morning has found.