According to the Pew Research Center, most Americans are receiving their news less from print newspapers and more through television, online, and social media apps.¹ With information so readily available through a search engine, a touch of a button, or simply viewing trending headlines on social media, we wanted to know the most popular science news outlets among Sigma Pi Sigma members.

Sigma Pi Sigma asked our members where they get their science news. Check out the answers below, and let us know what you think by emailing us at sps [at] aip.org.

Sigma Pi Sigma’s Top Five

Physics Today is the flagship publication of the American Institute of Physics. The mission of the magazine is to be a unifying influence for the diverse areas of physics and physics-related science. Physics Today offers full news coverage and analysis, fresh perspectives on technological advances and groundbreaking news, a forum for the exchange of ideas within the scientific community, and so much more. For additional information, visit www.physicstoday.org.

Quanta Magazine is a nonprofit foundation–funded publication that combines the complexities of science with storytelling. The name Quanta comes from Albert Einstein’s reference to photons as “quanta of light,” which showcases the magazine’s goal to “illuminate science.” Articles address topics in mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer science, and the basic life sciences. To learn more, visit www.quantamagazine.org.

ScienceDaily was founded in 1995 by husband and wife Dan and Michele Hogan, and aims to be a top science news resource, primarily by aggregating science-related press releases. You can find headlines on topics ranging from medical sciences and health to physical sciences, new technologies, and much more. Articles are posted daily from universities, scientific journals, and research organizations. For more information, visit www.sciencedaily.com.

Science is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, and was founded in 1880. The journal publishes news, commentary, and peer-reviewed research. It is well known for publishing the entire human genome for the first time, never-before seen images of the Martian surface, and the first studies tying AIDS to human immunodeficiency virus. Science has a history of publishing highly cited articles. For more information, visit www.sciencemag.org.

FYI is an authoritative news and resource center for federal science policy from the American Institute of Physics. The FYI team reports on physical science developments in Washington, DC, and beyond, seeking to illuminate how policy affects science and how science shapes policy. Visit www.aip.org/fyi for more information.

Other popular science news outlets highlighted by members:

BBC Science – Based in the UK, the BBC aims to be an impartial and independent public service broadcaster while educating and entertaining millions across the world.

The New York Times – Established in 1851, the Times’s mission is to seek the truth and help people understand the world through independent journalism. Their science section includes developments about space, climate change, animal behavior, and more!

Reddit – Reddit considers itself to be the front page of the internet. In the New Reddit Journal of Science, viewers can engage in endless conversation and connect over topics that they care most about!

National Geographic – For 131 years, National Geographic has aimed to ignite their audience through groundbreaking storytelling from the world’s top scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers.

References

1. Mitchell, Amy, Jeffrey Gottfried, Michael Barthel, and Elisa Shearer. “How Americans Get Their News.” Pew Research Center’s Journalism Project, July 7, 2016. https://www.journalism.org/2016/07/07/pathways-to-news/.