Energy
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PhysicsStudent radiation experiment goes to space
The Exploration Design Challenge asked students to design shields that would protect astronauts from radiation. Teachers can still involve classes in the challenge.
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EarthExplainer: Telling a tsunami from a seiche
Waves that hit coastlines with ferocious power, tsunamis are one of the planet’s most devastating forces of nature. And seiches: They’re tsunamis little, but still potentially deadly, cousins.
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EarthEarthquake-triggered lightning?
An experiment with beads offers support for the claim that a rare type of lightning may accompany some quakes.
By Andrew Grant -
PhysicsTemperature ‘lock’ for new hard drives?
A novel material can alter how easy it is to change data stored on it, based on temperature. One immediate application: more secure hard drives for computing.
By Andrew Grant -
AnimalsDissecting the dog paddle
Scientists occasionally describe the dog paddle as a “trot,” but that’s not right. When dogs swim, their complicated leg motions look more like a frantic run.
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PhysicsBaseball: From pitch to hits
Radar or cameras track the path of virtually every baseball in major league stadiums.
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AnimalsDolphin dimples detect electricity
Depressions in a dolphin’s snout sense electric fields, may help find dinner.
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EarthTsunami’s trek traced in the sky
Scientists photograph atmospheric ripples that followed the March tsunami across the Pacific.
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Enthusiasm and reward for science
Meet the high schoolers who won the 2011 Intel Science Talent Search.
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Materials ScienceBattery powered to heal
With its own first-aid kit, this battery can really keep going.
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FossilsDownsized dinosaurs
Island living may have led to miniature versions of giant dinosaurs.
By Emily Sohn