May 18 Glass spheres forged by volcanic lightning offer clues about eruptions By Dave Berndtson Scientists have developed a new way to analyze volcanic eruptions -- with lightning -- that is cost effective, relatively simple and safe. Continue reading
Apr 11 The science behind why your shoelace knot is doomed to fail By Nsikan Akpan Fret no longer children of planet Earth, as new research has figured out the physics behind why shoelace knots fail and why some shoelaces are more prone to the mistake. Continue reading
Apr 07 An 'Earth-sized' telescope takes aim at the first-ever image of a black hole By Joshua Barajas For years, actual images of black holes have remained elusive. The Event Horizon Telescope might be changing that as you read these words. Continue reading
Mar 14 This Pi Day, use math to beat your friends at classic toy games By Kristin Hugo On this most circular of pi days, we present three classic toys -- hula hoops, yo-yo's and Connect Four -- and explore their mechanics with mathematicians and physicists. Continue reading
Mar 02 Click this linky and learn the secrets of the Slinky By Andrew Wagner A Princeton professor offers new math behind why a Slinky appears to hang in midair when dropped. Continue reading
Mar 01 Ever wondered why your cat's tongue feels like sandpaper? By Joshua Cassidy, KQED Science By looking closely at cat tongues, research at MIT and Georgia Tech reveals clues to cats’ predatory prowess and finds inspiration for new technologies. Continue reading
Feb 13 The sun's spin is slowing, and we might know why By Andrew Wagner Since the early '90s, scientists have known the sun’s surface rotates more slowly than its interior. But they haven't been able to pinpoint why--until now. Continue reading
Feb 08 This electronic pill can send Wi-Fi updates from your tummy for days By Nsikan Akpan Scientists have created an ingestible device, powered by energy from your stomach, that can record and transmit health data. Continue reading
Jan 18 Watch 9:15 Is alluring but elusive fusion energy possible in our lifetime? By PBS News Hour Limitless power with virtually no greenhouse gases or radioactive waste. If that sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. For decades, researchers have looked for ways to control, confine and sustain fusion as an energy source. But… Continue watching
Dec 20 Column: Scientists isolate antimatter, shedding light on matter's elusive twin By Igor Bray for The Conversation The researchers at CERN managed to isolate several atoms of antimatter, which may clarify a puzzle dating back to The Big Bang. Continue reading