Physics
- Health & Medicine
Scientists offer new explanation for knuckle-cracking
That annoying pop may come from the partial collapse of bubbles in the joint fluid.
- Materials Science
Zap! Laser tattoos could create electronics to eat or wear
Lasers can tattoo a nontoxic form of carbon onto everyday items. This one day could lead to wearable — even edible — electronics.
- Tech
Electricity sensor harnesses a shark’s secret weapon
A new “quantum” material mimics the sensors that help a shark sense its prey. Like a shark, it can detect tiny electric fields.
- Physics
Wireless devices crowd out cosmic radio signals and more
Cell phones and other devices emit radio waves that can interfere with important scientific research. That’s why researchers are seeking ways to share the radio spectrum.
- Animals
The secrets of super-slurper bat tongues
Tiny hair-like structures greatly boost the ability of some bats to slurp up nectar from flowers.
- Physics
Meet STEVE, the northern lights in mauve
STEVE is a nontraditional aurora. It might be a visible version of usually invisible charged particles drifting through Earth’s upper atmosphere.
- Chemistry
Moisture unmasks camouflaged message
Researchers have developed a new type of chemical that will mask some hidden message — until you add water.
- Science & Society
Legendary physicist Stephen Hawking dies at 76
Theoretical research by Stephen Hawking helped shape how scientists and the public alike would come to understand black holes and other facets of astrophysics.
- Physics
Explainer: What is thundersnow?
Wacky weather produced lots of thundersnow during New England’s recent winter storms. Some scientists now suspect Mother Nature got some human help.
- Materials Science
New device makes water give up its sounds
A new device can dramatically boost the ability of people above the water’s surface to hear what’s going on below.
- Materials Science
Hairy nanoparticles put viruses in a deadly embrace
Current drugs can’t stop viruses for good. But newly developed hairy nanoparticles just might. They surround and put pressure on the viruses, which ultimately destroys them.
- Tech
In bobsledding, what the toes do can affect who gets the gold
South Korean scientists have been developing shoes that could give their national bobsled team an advantage at the Olympics.
