Have you ever noticed how batteries in phones or laptops can get damaged if you bend them too much? Well, scientists are working on a solution to make lithium batteries more flexible and durable. One way they are doing this is by using a mix of something called MXene and natural rubber to create a c
As 2024 draws to a close, let's take a look at some fascinating science stories that almost slipped under the radar. From recreating Bronze Age spear fights to using network theory on Bach's music, these topics cover a wide range of interests. The Bronze Age in Europe was a time of institutiona
Ever wondered why some chili peppers have smooth surfaces while others are wrinkled? Scientists have been trying to figure this out too, especially for the Japanese pepper 'Shishito', which has a wrinkled surface. They knew it wasn't just one gene but a mix of many, so they studied the offspring of
Back in 1977, President Jimmy Carter was having some beef with NASA. He thought the space shuttle program was just a way to keep the agency alive, not a genuine need. Despite his skepticism, Carter ended up saving the space shuttle project, which became one of NASA's most famous vehicles. Plus, his
Did you know that killer whales in managed care have different ways of spending their days? Scientists studied a group of killer whales to see what they were up to. They recorded videos of these amazing creatures over nine months. They looked at eight different things the killer whales did, like pla
Onions and garlic are big deals in the farming world. They're grown everywhere and face a bunch of problems, from pests to diseases. But there's another group of issues that can mess with their quality and yield: physiological disorders. These aren't caused by pests or diseases, but by things like h
Ever thought about how plastics could help save the planet? Well, they just might! Polymers, as scientists call them, are being used in amazing ways to make clean energy a reality. Let's start with wind power. You know those massive wind turbines? The blades are made from special polymers that make
Biocatalysis is all about using enzymes to make stuff, and it's a big deal for many industries. One cool way scientists are making it even better is by looking back in time. They use something called ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) to figure out what ancient enzymes might have looked like. T
Nitroaromatics are super important in industries like medicines, dyes, pesticides, and more. But the way we usually make them is a big problem. It creates lots of pollution and has trouble with different chemical groups. So, scientists are searching for a better, cleaner way to make nitroaromatics.
Ever wondered why hydrogen bonds in nitriles cause strange shifts in their vibrational spectra? It turns out, the answer lies in the geometry and dynamics of these bonds. Scientists have been using a method called vibrational Stark effect (VSE) spectroscopy to study noncovalent, electrostatic intera
