All Stories

Tech

High-speed lasers write data — to last millennia — inside glass

Project Silica is advancing a new way to store data — potentially forever. Some students plan to use this new media to send a message into space.

Artificial Intelligence

Scientists Say: Large language model

Large language models, or LLMs, are language-processing systems that underpin advanced AI technologies such as ChatGPT.

Computing

This computer scientist uses math to help people be treated fairly

Ariel Procaccia has designed computer algorithms that help split up credit on group projects, distribute donations, pick citizens’ assemblies and more.

Health & Medicine

Can you really die of a broken heart?

Death by heartbreak doesn't just happen in stories. In real life, severe stress can cause takotsubo syndrome — a sometimes fatal heart problem.

Animals

A surprising number of animals eat poop 

A new tally finds more than 150 vertebrate species willing to snack on feces. Eating poop offers nutrients and other benefits.

Tech

This teen engineer’s device sniffs out common food allergens

Inspired by his own severe food allergies, Thermo Fisher JIC finalist Samvith Mahadevan built a device to protect people from allergen exposure.

Chemistry

Let’s learn about chocolate

Humans have been making chocolate for millennia. Now scientists are investigating how to make this tasty treat more abundant and nutritious.

Earth

Scientists Say: Avulsion

As rivers seek out easier routes to the sea, path reroutes can transform our world. This is ‘avulsion’ refers to in geology. In medicine, the word can describe injuries.

Tech

For teens, virtual reality worlds aren’t all fun and games

More than a third of surveyed teens who used VR headsets reported they had experienced hate speech, bullying or harassment in virtual reality environments.

Physics

Eyelashes help fling water from our eyes

The “micro-ratchet” structure and curvature of eyelashes could help keep eyes clear of rain, sweat and tears.

Space

Ancient black holes might solve the mystery of dark matter

Studies of gravitational waves, stars and other features of the universe could reveal whether such “primordial” black holes exist.

Tech

Move over Iron Man, exoskeletons are getting real 

Real-world wearable devices help people stay safe at work and accomplish everyday tasks.