
Imagining…
Where Science Meets Creative Writing
Find a story within the topics above
How can we look at fossils and understand what creatures roamed the Earth millions of years ago?
How can we predict the behavior of materials deep within planetary interiors?
How can we reverse humanity’s impact on the global climate?
How can we predict habitats for life on other planets?
Doing impactful, innovative research requires training our brain to imagine the elusive unknown, even when bounded by scientific evidence. Now, more than ever in the history of human civilization, there is a pressing need to exercise our imagination muscles. Writing scientific fiction while accounting for the real science is a powerful way to do just that—to learn what is possible, what is probable, how we can change the future, and what our responsibility is to the future generation of our species.
Most Recent Stories
-

-

Progress Without Morals
A scientist is trying to harness microbial properties to develop a fantastic tool. He believes he can; but should he?
-

For Today’s Inspiration
- NASA Announces Winners for 2026 Human Lander Challenge
NASA has announced the top student-developed solutions for environmental control and life support systems in future crewed lunar landers from participants in the 2026 Human Lander Challenge. The announcement marks the culmination of months of research by university teams working to advance technologies supporting the agency’s Artemis program that will return American astronauts to the
- NASA Tests New Refuel Device for Future In-Space Refueling Missions
For NASA’s next generation of deep space exploration missions, spacecraft may need to refuel in Earth orbit before pushing farther into the solar system. Similar to how a gas pump needs a nozzle to fit your fuel tank, future spacecraft could require a special device in order to fill up prior to departure, known as
- Extensive Sand Dune Loss Threatens California Coast
Aerial photos combined with lidar data show the extent of the problem.
- Measuring Microplastics in Every Ocean Layer
Small bits of plastic don’t just float at the sea surface—they span the entire water column. Scientists need consistent methods to track these particles and to better understand the hazards they pose.
- In This Issue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 25, June 2026. <br/>
- Video games help push the boundaries of AI
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 25, June 2026. <br/>
- I study World Cup penalty shoot-outs: they say a lot about the psychology of performance under pressure
Nature, Published online: 26 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02043-0Football’s most nail-biting feature can reveal ways for everyone to manage stressful situations better.
- The poetry of twilight and the awe-inspiring magic of eclipses: Books in brief
Nature, Published online: 26 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02055-wAndrew Robinson reviews five of the best science picks.