Imagine being stuck in space for over seven months. That's the reality for some NASA astronauts, who finally got a chance to step outside for a spacewalk. Astronaut Suni Williams, the commander of the International Space Station, ventured out on a spacewalk on January 16, 2025. She and her fellow as
Scientists have been wondering if gamma-ray bursts come from far-off parts of the universe. If they do, their light should take longer to reach us, making the bursts look stretched out in time. This is called time dilation. Researchers from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory used data from their Burs
You might have heard of MIL-100(Fe), a special material made from iron and other chemicals. It's been used to break down pollutants in water using light, a process called the photo-Fenton reaction. The problem is, it doesn't work very well. Scientists found a way to make MIL-100(Fe) more effective b
Imagine tiny, Y-shaped sensors that are almost too small to see. These microscopic guardians work day and night to ensure our food is safe. They glow when everything is okay, but if dangerous bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum or Salmonella pullorum appear, they start to dim. Inside these little
Researchers have developed an innovative way to track RNA in living cells using a special protein called dCas12a. This protein acts like a bridge, connecting two different RNA molecules that don't normally interact. The trick? It uses a controller to switch on a single fluorescent signal when one of
Imagine a world where detecting important biomarkers like dopamine is as simple as using a portable device. Scientists have designed a special tool called microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) that can do just that. These μPADs have a clever folded structure that lets the analyte solut
Did you know that tiny metal-oxide structures called polyoxometalates (POMs) can change how light interacts with organic molecules and affect water's behavior in a special polymer? Imagine a polymer called F-68, which has a structure like a pearl necklace with sections of different materials. Resear
Imagine burying your underwear in the garden to check if the soil is healthy. That's exactly what one bright student from Banning Unified School District did! Caleb Clay, a fifth-grader from Starlight Elementary School, came up with a fun and effective way to test soil health by using underwear. His
You might have heard of ginsenoside Rh2, a compound with amazing health benefits. It can help fight certain cancers, reduce inflammation, and even tackle diabetes. But how do we make more of this wonder substance? Scientists have been looking into an enzyme called UGT51 from yeast, which plays a key
Ever wondered what happens when a single amino acid, l-tryptophan, decides to hang out in a group? Scientists have been exploring this phenomenon, as it's linked to some nasty metabolic issues. In this fascinating study, researchers watched l-tryptophan transform from a lonely monomer into tiny, glo
