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Tech

Nanocrystal ‘painted’ films may someday help relieve summer heat

The rainbow palette and cooling powers of new plant-based films comes from their microscopic surface patterns of tiny crystals.

Tech

A device spots and counts honeybees hosting a dangerous parasite

At Regeneron ISEF, three teens debuted an infrared system to detect honeybees carrying mites. It can show beekeepers when a colony needs to be treated.

Brain

Scientists Say: Connectome

A connectome is a diagram of the cellular highways that carry information in the brain.

Environment

Older diesel school buses linked to more student absences

Schools that replaced or upgraded old diesel school buses increased student attendance rates, new research shows.

Psychology

Supportive spaces help LGBTQ+ youth thrive in school and beyond

Schools are safer and more welcoming when their policies respect and affirm LGBTQ+ students. Clubs can push for changes that boost kids’ mental health.

Environment

Making yards more diverse can reap big environmental benefits

Replacing grass with native plants uses less water and fewer chemicals while providing additional benefits to people and wildlife.

Space

Here’s why the moon must get its own time zone

But should moon time be like Earth time — or quite different? At issue: The moon’s lesser gravity will make seconds there tick faster than on Earth.

Animals

Rats can bop their heads to a musical beat

Rats’ rhythmic response to human music doesn’t mean they like to dance. But it may shed light on how brains evolved to perceive rhythm.

Psychology

Procrastination may hurt your health — but you can change that

Scientists have linked procrastination to mental and physical health problems. But don’t be too hard on yourself — there are steps you can take.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Food web

All the species in an ecosystem and the feeding relationships between them get summed up with this handy picture.

Brain

Scientists mapped every nerve cell in this insect brain

Researchers have built a “connectivity map” of all the nerve cells in the larval fruit fly brain and how they link together.

Earth

Under the ice, a hidden lake hints at its origin — and coming end

Lake Mercer may serve as a model for better understanding the birth and life of Antarctica’s hundreds of subglacial lakes.