Microplastics are everywhere — even in the labs studying them. That’s a problem for research
Microplastics scientists are finding the tiny particles everywhere, even in their own research laboratories. So how do they know if what they’re finding is in the sample or contamination from plastic fibers floating in the air?
Read MoreLego’s educational space sets are a stellar way to teach kids about the basic physics of collisions and impacts
Won’t somebody please think of the children?
Read MoreMars dust storms are sparking electricity and rewriting the planet’s chemistry
Mars may look like a quiet, dusty world, but it’s actually buzzing with hidden electrical activity. Powerful dust storms and swirling dust devils generate static electricity strong enough to spark faint glowing discharges across the planet, triggering chemical reactions that reshape its surface and atmosphere. Scientists have now shown that these tiny lightning-like events can…
Read MoreScientists built a quantum battery that breaks the rules of charging
Scientists have taken a major step toward futuristic energy tech by building a working prototype of a quantum battery—one that can charge, store, and release energy using the strange rules of quantum physics instead of chemistry. This tiny, laser-powered device hints at a future where energy storage is not only faster but actually improves as…
Read MoreArtificial saliva made from sugarcane protein protects teeth from acid and decay
Scientists have created an artificial saliva using a sugarcane protein that can protect teeth and fight bacteria. The key ingredient, CANECPI-5, binds directly to enamel, forming a shield against acids that cause decay. Early tests show it works even better when paired with fluoride and xylitol, significantly reducing damage to teeth. The innovation could be…
Read MoreTruckloads of food are being wasted because computers won’t approve them
Modern food systems may look stable on the surface, but they are increasingly dependent on digital systems that can quietly become a major point of failure. Today, food must be “recognized” by databases and automated platforms to be transported, sold, or even released, meaning that if systems go down, food can effectively become unusable—even when…
Read MoreA massive arctic thaw is unleashing carbon frozen for thousands of years
A sweeping new study reveals that as Arctic permafrost thaws, it is dramatically reshaping rivers and releasing vast amounts of ancient carbon that had been locked away for thousands of years. By analyzing decades of high-resolution data across northern Alaska, scientists found that runoff is increasing, rivers are carrying more dissolved carbon, and the thawing…
Read MoreArtemis 2 astronauts — now halfway to the moon — report ‘burning smell’ from toilet, but everything’s fine
The astronauts on NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission reported a burning smell from their Orion spacecraft toilet overnight, but Mission Control isn’t overly concerned. They are over halfway to the moon today.
Read MoreThis Week In Space podcast: Episode 204 — A New NASA
On Episode 204 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik bring it to you from Houston, as the Artemis 2 mission continues.
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