Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer

  1. Physics

    Tests challenge whether centuries-old violins really are the best ever

    Some centuries-old Italian violins are reputed to be the best ever made. Scientists tested that. Their data now show new instruments can sound at least as good — and sometimes better.

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  2. Brain

    Sleep may jumpstart the brain’s power washing system

    Waves of fluid wash into the human brain during sleep. That’s good. They just may help clean out toxic proteins.

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  3. Climate

    Hotspots found for lightning’s superbolts

    A nine-year survey reveals where and when the most energetic lightning strikes — and it’s not what scientists expected.

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  4. Earth

    Explainer: Earth — layer by layer

    Explore the sizzling heat, unimaginable pressures — and some surprise diamonds — that sit beneath our feet. This is the side of Earth that you can’t see.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Explainer: What is ultrasound?

    These sound waves, which fall above the range of human hearing, are important in medicine, medical imaging and more.

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  6. Physics

    Explainer: What is the electric grid?

    Most of us get electricity through a huge system of power lines and equipment that together are known as the electric grid. Here’s how it works.

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  7. Tech

    New eyewear could help the visually impaired

    Young inventors develop novel electronics to help people identify colors and navigate obstacles.

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  8. Computing

    Fingerprints could help keep kids from dangerous websites

    A teen develops a program that estimates age based on someone’s fingers

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  9. Science & Society

    Heating up the search for hidden weapons

    Using an off-the-shelf camera and an innovative bit of software, a high-school student developed the means to inexpensively detect a hidden weapon.

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  10. Protecting deer with high-pitched noises

    After her uncle crashed his truck into a deer, this teen decided to find out if there was a sound that would drive the animals away from roads.

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  11. Earth

    Explainer: Seismic waves come in different ‘flavors’

    Earthquakes generate several different types of seismic waves, some more damaging than others

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  12. Physics

    Explainer: Quantum is the world of the super small

    The word quantum often gets misused. What does it mean? Think small. Really, really small.

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