Scientific American 2021 02.pdf

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FEBRUARY 2021
SCIENTIFICAMERICAN.COM
Cosmological
Mystery
Testosterone
Discrimination
COVID
Smell Loss
Explained
REALITY CHECK
Four urgent science priorities for the new president
© 2021 Scientific American
Fe b r ua ry 2 0 2 1
VO L U M E 3 2 4 , N U M B E R 2
56
PHYSIC S
SPORT
24 Cosmic Conundrum
The strangely small value of the
cosmological constant is one of
the biggest unsolved mysteries
in physics.
By Clara Moskowitz
SPECIAL REPORT
50 On the Basis
of Testosterone
Hormone levels are being used
to discriminate against women
athletes.
By Grace Huckins
S PAC E F L I G H T
30 The Four Most
Pressing Science Priorities
for the Next President
32 Controlling COVID
By Tanya Lewis
56 Space Pollution
The new private launch industry
can learn a lot from aviation about
sustainability.
By Martin N. Ross
and Leonard David
P U B L I C H E A LT H
35 Committing to Climate
By Andrea Thompson
37 Reestablishing Reality
By Jen Schwartz
YURI SMITYUK
TASS
via Getty Images
60 How COVID Scrambles
the Senses
Explanations begin to arise at
the molecular level for this vexing
but commonplace phenomenon.
By Stephani Sutherland
ENVIRONMENT
40 Restoring Expertise
By Jane Lubchenco
A N I M A L B E H AV I O R
ON THe C OVe r
The new American president taking office
in January faces a host of urgent problems,
the still raging COVID-19 pandemic being
only the most obvious. This month’s special
report is about the science-based solutions
that the Biden administration can begin
implementing right away.
Illustration by egle Plytnikaite.
42 Attack of
the Zombie Maker
The emerald jewel wasp is a
cockroach’s worst nightmare.
By Kenneth C. Catania
64 The Day the Music Died
“Swamp ash,” the wood behind
some of the world’s most famous
guitars, is vanishing.
By Priyanka Runwal
February 2021, ScientificAmerican.com
1
© 2021 Scientific american
4 From the Editor
6 Letters
10 Science Agenda
“Psychological first aid” can ease pandemic angst,
and anyone can learn its techniques.
By the Editors
11 Forum
Anti-Asian racism is pervasive in science—
and more institutions need to step up.
By Michael Nguyen-Truong
10
12 Advances
The race to produce drinkable water with solar heat.
Leaves’ wrinkly defenses. Attracting diverse entrepre-
neurs. The “brainpower” of spider legs.
22 Meter
The poetry of love in the cosmos.
By Kit Wienert
23 The Science of Health
A lung disease plaguing young people looks
like COVID, but it’s really from vaping.
By Claudia Wallis
68 Recommended
12
The world of fractal geometry. New conversations
around sexually transmitted infections. Wild ideas that
might save Earth. An epic quest to study an alien ocean.
By Andrea Gawrylewski
69 Observatory
Criticism of colleagues’ research is a necessary
part of science—but some step over the line
from bluntness into cruelty.
By Naomi Oreskes
70 50, 100
&
150 Years Ago
By Dan Schlenoff
72 Graphic Science
69
Dinosaur discoveries are booming.
By Katie Peek
Scientific American (ISSN 0036-8733), Volume 324, Number 2, February 2021 published monthly by Scientific American, a division of Springer Nature America, Inc., 1 New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, N.Y. 10004-1562.
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Printed in U.S.A. Copyright © 2021 by Scientific American, a division of Springer Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Scientific American, February 2021
© 2021 Scientific american

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