Engineering Design

Health & Medicine

Joggers run at an energy-efficient pace, new data show

Fitness trackers and treadmill tests show that a runner’s speed tends to vary little, regardless of the distance they run.

Plants

The first plants ever grown in moon dirt have sprouted

This tiny garden shows farming on the moon may be difficult, although not impossible.

Science & Society

A new audio system confuses smart devices that try to eavesdrop

It works by playing soft, calculated sounds to help people protect their privacy from automatic speech-recognition systems.

Science & Society

Teens’ new tech would send alerts to reduce preventable deaths

A trio of teen innovations created devices that can speed up the response time to pool accidents, overheating in cars and combat-related injuries.

Climate

Coastal cities around the world are sinking, satellite data show

Of 99 coastal cities studied, nearly one-third are sinking. This leaves coastal communities increasingly vulnerable to rising seas.

Earth

A new clock shows how gravity warps time — even over tiny distances

This clock measured how gravity changes the passage of time in different places — even spots just one millimeter apart.

Archaeology

Muons reveal the inner worlds of pyramids, volcanoes and more

Tracking these subatomic particles can uncover surprising hidden structures.

Physics

Some of the sun’s iconic coronal loops may be ghostly illusions

Wrinkles in the sun’s outer atmosphere might trick the eye into seeing glowing arches, scientists now report.

Agriculture

Here’s why cricket farmers may want to go green — literally

Crickets are great sources of protein, but they often kill each other in captivity. Green light could help solve the problem, two teens find.

Humans

Teen-designed tech could expand access for people with disabilities

Several inventors at the 2022 Regeneron ISEF competition offered creative solutions that translate sign language and help blind people navigate.

Chemistry

Reusable plastic bottles release hundreds of pollutants into water

Data show the plastic ends up tainting drinking water. For now, scientists don’t know what health risks downing these pollutants might pose.

Health & Medicine

Patches and robotic pills may one day replace injections

Instead of a shot in the arm, a light-activated patch or robotic pill may one day deliver your medicine.