Nov 16 The new definition of the kilogram will change the way we weigh everything By Vicky Stein On Friday, representatives from 57 nations will gather in a conference room in Versailles, France to redefine the kilogram. In other words: the way we weigh the world is about to change. Continue reading
Nov 01 How llamas could help us fight the flu By Vicky Stein Researchers now think they’re on the path to universal flu protection. The source of their new defense: llamas. Continue reading
Oct 25 Hazardous space junk is piling up. Can this satellite help? By Vicky Stein More than a half a million pieces of trash whiz at more than 17,000 miles per hour around the planet, threatening the lives of astronauts on the International Space Station and the functionality of satellites scattered across low Earth orbit. Continue reading
Oct 24 In a crash, should self-driving cars save passengers or pedestrians? 2 million people weigh in By Jamie Leventhal Researchers are using an online computer program to gauge how humans respond to tough ethical decisions involving AI technology for driverless vehicles. The results could inform car manufacturers and policy makers on how driverless vehicles should behave in life-or-death scenarios. Continue reading
Oct 22 The medical mystery that helped make Thomas Edison an inventor By Dr. Howard Markel Deafness allowed Edison to shut himself off from “all the meaningless sound that normal people hear.” But what caused his deafness is still debated by doctors and hearing experts to this day. Continue reading
Oct 19 How the Smithsonian helped the FBI in the case of stolen ruby slippers By Julia Griffin Conservators put the FBI’s slippers through a battery of scientific tests. Their conclusion? These weren’t just any pair of heels. Continue reading
Oct 12 DNA ancestry searches can now identify most white Americans. Here’s why that’s legally questionable By Nsikan Akpan Police identified the Golden State Killer with a genetic ancestry search for his distant relatives. These two studies show how easy that could be done for anyone. Continue reading
Oct 05 A massive plastic cleanup project provokes hope and skepticism By Vicky Stein While The Ocean Cleanup has been hailed as one solution for ocean plastic pollution, some researchers have expressed concern. Continue reading
Oct 03 Trio wins Nobel Prize by using chemistry to ‘evolve’ the building blocks of life By Nsikan Akpan This year’s chemistry Nobel also comes with some political controversy, as one of the winners has been accused of promoting anti-Israel views. Continue reading
Oct 02 Nobel Prize in physics awarded to three pioneers in laser science By Vicky Stein Strickland is the third woman ever to win a Nobel prize in physics, and the first in more than fifty years. Continue reading