The sky abounds with tiny bits of solid or liquids known as aerosols. Some are flecks of black carbon or dust. Others are specks of sulfates or sea salt. All…
Transplant, (verb, “TRANS-plant”) Transplant means to move something from one place to another. For example, a gardener might transplant a small shrub from one side of their yard to another.…
Under a midnight moon, Luigi Garlaschelli peered out over graves. This University of Pavia chemist was scouting for glowing balls of light. They’re known throughout the world by a number…
Abstract Did you know bird flu can affect animals other than birds? Bird flu usually affects wild birds like geese and farm birds like chickens. But sometimes it can “jump”…
Distant baby stars might be able to shed new light on the origins of Earth’s water. One clue to where water came from is how much of it is “semi-heavy.”…
Katalin Karikó thought the call was a joke. It was 3 a.m. on October 2, 2023. Her husband answered the phone. As someone who maintains buildings, “he quite frequently gets…
When Alice from Alice in Wonderland consumes a mysterious bottle labeled “drink me,” she quickly shrinks to the floor. The Magic School Bus once got attacked by white blood cells…
Tardigrades — also known as water bears or moss piglets — are pretty adorable. Under a microscope, each one looks a bit like a plump caterpillar, wriggling around on eight…
Today’s potatoes arose out of an unlikely mashup — with a tomato. Until now, the potato’s origin and evolution had long been a scientific mystery. It now appears that the…
Abstract Did you know that climate change affects people’s mental health? Some people experience climate change anxiety. They have extreme worries and fears about the future because of climate change.…