Physics

Materials Science

Want a tougher space suit? Just add liquid

Using a special liquid, engineers are designing new treatments for spacesuits so that they can better resist puncturing from tiny meteorites and other hazards.

Physics

Scientists Say: Laser

A laser is a device that emits a strong, narrow beam of light. “Laser” is actually an acronym, and stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.”

Microbes

Magnetic heating may replace surgery to cure some infections

Scientists are testing magnetic fields as a way to kill bacteria that drugs normally cannot reach — such as those on medical implants inside the body.

Animals

Lasers can turn a spider’s silk into sculptures

Spider silk is strong and super-stretchy. Scientists have developed a way to sculpt that material into unusual, micro-scale shapes using lasers.

Archaeology

Scientists detect mystery void in Great Pyramid of Giza

Using high-tech tools normally reserved for studies in particle physics, scientists have found a large, hidden void inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza.

Physics

Ancient light may point to where the cosmos’ missing matter hides

The universe is missing some of its matter. Now astronomers may have a way to find it.

Physics

Teen identifies way to detect failing underground pipes

A teen researcher uses acoustics — here, pipe vibrations — to test whether buried water pipes are about to fail, and leak.

Genetics

One day, your sunscreen may be made from DNA

A new approach to sunscreen could use a thin layer of DNA to protect skin cells — and hopefully prevent cancer.

Materials Science

You can peel permanent marker, intact, off of glass

The surface tension of water can essentially scrape a thin film of some water-repellent material — such as permanent ink — off of glass.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Gradient

This is a word used to describe the rate that something changes over a distance or time. Examples include the strength of a smell or the steepness of a mountain.

Chemistry

U.S. Army is developing high-tech underwear

A new fabric could warm the skin of active soldiers in cold climates. At the same time, it could soak away sweat that might otherwise cause chills.

Physics

Astronomers finally find the cosmic source of gold and silver

After a collision between neutron stars is caught rippling spacetime, telescopes home in on where the ripples came from. The afterglow of light they found provided interesting new science.