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February
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February

His love of math led to a career in quantum computing

For James Whitfield, math is not something to dread. In fact, in college he often turned to math problems to relieve stress. He’d relax by solving equations from a textbook…

So many wondrous moons — just a spaceship ride away

More than 20 years ago, a spaceship from Earth reached Saturn, the ringed giant. Called Cassini, its voyage took seven long years. For the next 13 years, it circled the…

Experiment: How much water is needed to cook pasta?

Objective: Find the lowest amount and temperature of water required to cook pasta. Areas of science: Cooking & Food Science Difficulty: Easy intermediate Time required: 6–10 days Prerequisites: You must…

Could the magic of memory manipulation ever become real?

In the world of Harry Potter, memories can be manipulated with the flick of a wand. Albus Dumbledore reels wispy memories out of his head and puts them in a…

This young biologist looked for links between diet and dyslexia

You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger biology fan than 12-year-old Giselle Drewett. Studying biology was the main way she learned to read — a challenge for her, growing up…

Let’s learn about 10 Black scientists you should know

Black History Month may be about to wrap up. But February is far from the only time to honor the groundbreaking work of Black scientists and engineers. While it’s far…

Scientists Say: Absorb and Adsorb

Absorb and adsorb (verb, “AB-sorb” and “AD-sorb”) Absorb and adsorb both describe ways a material might soak up another substance. One big difference sets these words apart. Absorption occurs inside…

Friction is the key to cozy knits

A good sweater is like a cozy hug made out of yarn. For that, you can thank friction. A new study reveals how knit fabrics can take on so many different…

Some bacteria in wastewater can break down a common plastic

Our planet is awash in plastic pollution. Tiny bits of it, called microplastics, taint the air and our food. Plastic specks have been found everywhere from our bodies to a…

Meet 5 types of robots with living body parts

Nicole Xu reached into a Styrofoam tank to grasp a live moon jellyfish. Quickly and carefully, she inserted a tiny electronic device into the animal. “It takes a little bit…