Scientific American (ISSN 0036-8733), Volume 324, Number 3, March 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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2 Scientific American, March 2021
4 From the Editor
6 Letters
10 Science Agenda
Joe Biden must take immediate action to limit
the existential danger posed by nuclear weapons.
By the Editors
11 Forum
The U.S. diplomatic corps would benefit from
having more scientists in its ranks.
By Nick Pyenson and Alex Dehgan
12 Advances
Eight-limbed option for the next model animal.
A candidate to return to the moon. Far-traveling photons
for communication. Prehistoric algae with an edge.
22 Meter
A poetic celebration of changing states of matter.
By Anna Leahy
23 The Science of Health
Trusted messengers, not simply science facts, will
overcome COVID vaccine hesitancy. By Claudia Wallis
72 Recommended
The military’s role in oceanography. Making physics
personal. How thermodynamics shaped modern
technology. Deadly pharmaceutical negligence.
By Andrea Gawrylewski
73 Observatory
When expert assessments go wrong, it may be because
the wrong experts were consulted. By Naomi Oreskes
74 50, 100 & 150 Years Ago
By Dan Schlenoff
76 Graphic Science
Daylight changes unequally all year long. By Mark
(^72) Fischetti, Jen Christiansen and Mapping Specialists
12
11