ComputingSeptember 1, 2018
Only 150 of Your Facebook Contacts Are Real Friends
Even with social media, we max out at 150 real relationships
Stories by Jen Christiansen
Jen Christiansen is author of the book Building Science Graphics: An Illustrated Guide to Communicating Science through Diagrams and Visualizations (CRC Press) and senior graphics editor at Scientific American, where she art directs and produces illustrated explanatory diagrams and data visualizations. In 1996 she began her publishing career in New York City at Scientific American. Subsequently she moved to Washington, D.C., to join the staff of National Geographic (first as an assistant art director–researcher hybrid and then as a designer), spent four years as a freelance science communicator and returned to Scientific American in 2007. Christiansen presents and writes on topics ranging from reconciling her love for art and science to her quest to learn more about the pulsar chart on the cover of Joy Division's album Unknown Pleasures. She holds a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a B.A. in geology and studio art from Smith College. Follow Christiansen on Bluesky @jenchristiansen.com
MedicineMay 1, 2018
Global Infections by the Numbers
The SciencesMarch 14, 2018
Pi City
Data visualizers Martin Krzywinski and Jake Lever map city centers for an annual Pi Day art exploration
BiologyJanuary 1, 2018
Mass Extinction in Earth’s Oceans Could Begin by 2100
FitnessOctober 13, 2017
The Evolution of a Scientific American Graphic: Pregnancy in Progress
When we return to a topic where the research has advanced, our visual explanations need to be updated accordingly
MedicineOctober 2, 2017
Circadian Rhythms, Illustrated
A graphic from the Scientific American archive provides a look into the brain’s molecular clock—research that contributed to this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The SciencesJuly 10, 2017
Visualizing the Innards of Subatomic Particles
With a nod to the recently discovered Xi-cc++ particle, here’s a look at the quantum foam that lies within
Climate ChangeJune 13, 2017
Revisiting a Climate Data Viz Icon
This humble 59-year-old chart reveals that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to climb upward
Space & PhysicsMay 22, 2017
Unexplained Light Curves
Boyajian’s star is dimming again. This graphic shows why that’s weird.
NeuroscienceMay 2, 2017
Interactive Brain Art
A new media installation at Columbia University renders the brain larger than life
PolicyApril 7, 2017
Sleeping Beauties of Science
Scientific American graphic about slumbering research papers wakes up for an award
WeatherMarch 20, 2017
Visualizing Uncertain Weather
Storm prediction is tricky business. So is illustrating it
WeatherJanuary 6, 2017
Atmospheric Rivers, Illustrated
Graphics from the Scientific American archive show how these storm systems impact California
Space & PhysicsDecember 30, 2016
Vera Rubin's Numbers
Evidence for dark matter is visible in this elegant set of simple charts, rooted in data published decades ago
Space & PhysicsNovember 17, 2016
Solar Superstorms, Illustrated
An executive order calling for more preparedness and better forecasting for space weather is creating a buzz about electromagnetic storms. What are they?
Space & PhysicsOctober 19, 2016
Landing on Mars: How and When
A graphic from the Scientific American archive provides context for this month’s Mars landing attempt
BiologyOctober 7, 2016
Autophagy, Illustrated
A graphic from the Scientific American archive shows how cells clean house—the basics behind this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
PolicySeptember 16, 2016
Visualizing Polls
A playful, explorable explanation demonstrates the impact of chance on poll results
FitnessSeptember 8, 2016
Charting Health Trajectories
Connected scatter plots highlight differences between disease-resilient and high-risk patients
CultureAugust 24, 2016
Publishing on Printing
Learning from Scientific American’s 171 years of covering advances in printing technology
CultureJuly 8, 2016
Neural Networks for Artists
From hallucinogenic-like DeepDream composites to mesmerizing style-transfer videos, visuals provide an engaging entry point to the world of machine learning
CultureJune 30, 2016
Aerial Fireworks, Illustrated
Graphics from the Scientific American archive provide a glimpse of the history and science of pyrotechnics
BiologyMay 12, 2016
Gene Regulation, Illustrated
What are epigenetic modifications, and how might they play out across generations?
BiologyApril 29, 2016
Jellyfish in Motion
Animation shows how a moon jelly propels itself using spinning wheels of water