Scientists Say
A weekly word defined, in a sentence and in context. Click here to find the alphabetized list.
- Space
Scientists Say: Observable universe
No light will ever reach Earth from beyond this distant horizon of space.
- Life
Scientists Say: Clone
This adaptable tech can help with everything from engineering medical microbes to preserving endangered species.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Entropy
To understand the universe, we must look to entropy — the chaos engine of the cosmos.
- Tech
Scientists Say: Technofossil
Experts predict that the durability of modern, human-made materials will give rise to a radical new form of fossil.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Discharge
In physics, this release of energy can rebalance electrical charges. In biology, such a release might cool you down on a hot day.
- Earth
Scientists Say: Cave Popcorn
This type of cave formation can occur as glossy, soaplike bubbles or as a bristly, cauliflower-like clusters.
- Space
Scientists Say: Bolide
It starts as a flash. Then comes the sonic boom. The boldest meteors often go out with a bang.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Equilibrium
This steady state may look like a total standstill, but it’s actually an equal opposition of forces.
- Health & Medicine
Scientists Say: Symptom
A runny nose, fever or feeling of fatigue might clue your doctor in to the right diagnosis.
- Plants
Scientists Say: Pollination
Plants call upon wind, water or helpful animals to carry out this crucial step of their life cycle.
- Tech
Scientists Say: Cryogenic
This deep-frozen field of science allows conservation biologists to preserve the DNA of endangered species and more.
- Space
Scientists Say: Spacetime
Weaving together the concepts of space and time allows scientists to understand gravity and more.
