Uncategorized
- Animals
Bats are now the primary source of U.S. rabies deaths
Although human rabies is not common in the United States, it still occurs. But here dogs are no longer the likely source of this oft-lethal infection: Bats are.
- Earth
Antibiotics pollute many of the world’s rivers
A survey of 165 rivers finds unsafe levels of antibiotics at one in six sites tested. Such pollution can leave germs resistant (unharmed) by the drugs.
- Health & Medicine
Fighting spider-fear with a little Spider-Man
Many people are afraid of spiders or ants. Watching a movie clip with the critters in it might help make people more comfortable with them, a new study shows.
- Climate
Scientists Say: Eyewall
The calm center of a hurricane or other tropical cyclone is called the eye. But the worst winds and rain are around it, in the eyewall.
- Earth
‘Biodegradable’ plastic bags often don’t break down
Biodegradable plastic bags are supposed to break down more quickly than ordinary plastics. But that may not happen, a study finds.
- Physics
Fireworks shower the skies with science
Filling the night sky with fireworks requires the help of chemists, electrical engineers and people who can choreograph theatrical shows.
- Climate
Holiday fireworks can bring extreme pollution, India finds
Fireworks bring sparkle and zing to a celebration, but they also can have a dark side — unhealthy levels of air pollution.
- Science & Society
The U.S. prison system can harm young brains, scientist warns
The U.S. justice system holds teens to adult standards. And that can harm a teen’s developing brain, one researcher now argues.
- Physics
Black holes might have a temperature
Physicists made a mock black hole in their lab. They used it to show the real, celestial black holes have a slight temperature.
- Earth
Trees may become the key to ‘greener’ foam products
Scientists have made an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic-based foams to help keep things cool.
- Chemistry
Scientists Say: Ferrofluid
Ferrofluids are liquids with tiny magnetic particles in them. These liquids respond to magnets.
- Life
Teens swipe a door handle and find an antibiotic
Three teens swabbed a smartphone, a door handle and a hand dryer. The new bacterium they turned up can kill other types of germs.
