Matter and Its Interactions

Physics

Forests could help detect ‘ghost particles’ from space

If trees could act as natural antennas, one physicist proposes that they just might pick up signals of hard-to-spot ultra-high energy neutrinos.

Tech

Artificial intelligence helped design a new type of battery

Supercomputing and AI cut the early discovery steps from decades to just 80 hours. The process led to a new solid electrolyte.

Health & Medicine

9 things to know about lead’s health risks — and how to curb them

Lead has been linked to lower IQ, behavior problems, mental-health disorders, strokes and more health impacts. There are ways to reduce your exposure.

Science & Society

Scientists Say: Model

Models are representations of real-life systems or processes that we use to ask questions, make predictions and test our knowledge.

Earth

The weird sky glow called STEVE is really confusing scientists

Researchers are trying to figure out the recipe of atmospheric conditions that creates this aurora-like light show.

Materials Science

Let’s learn about graphene

Scientists have been trying to understand and harness this material’s superpowers since its discovery in 2004.

Climate

Chemists make device to destroy planet-warming methane pollution

It can slash diffuse sources of this extremely potent greenhouse gas, such as from livestock barns and other sites.

Archaeology

Iron Age grave in England points to a possible woman warrior

The grave holds a sword. It hints the buried woman fought or helped plan raids some 2,000 years ago in what’s now southwest England.

Tech

Synthetic biology aims to tackle disease and give cells superpowers

DNA machines and protein-mimicking nanotech could replace broken machinery in cells or even lead to made-from-scratch synthetic life.

Tech

Balsa wood transistors could usher in ‘greener’ electronics

Researchers in Sweden coaxed wood to conduct electricity, then used it to make a climate-friendlier building block of electronics.

Chemistry

Pollution power? A new device turns carbon dioxide into fuel

Scientists made a device that converts the greenhouse gas into formate. This salt can then run a fuel cell to make electricity.

Tech

Offshore wind farms could do far more than just make clean power

Offshore wind farms cost more than onshore ones. But their ability to make ‘green’ hydrogen and capture carbon dioxide could help this wind power pay off.