In the world of science, sometimes truth takes a backseat to prejudice. Such was the case with Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose, a brilliant scientist from Bengal. Recently, an article in this volume challenged a piece I wrote about Bose. While Kingsland and Taiz (2024) raised questions, the facts remain cl
Ever wondered how our bodies adapt to heat? A recent study explored this by tracking the changes in the amount of skin covered in sweat over seven days of heat acclimation. Nine adults, with both men and women, were put through a heat test every two days. They cycled for two hours in a hot, humid ro
A recent study explored a new approach to improve photocatalytic performance by using alternating donor-acceptor (D-A) units in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). The researchers created a series of metal-free photocatalysts, named CNBTC-X, by combining g-C3N4 with different amounts of 5-bromo-2-thi
Do you know what tiny, simple lifeforms that have been around for nearly a billion years can do? Well, scientists found out that they can help create a living mammal, like a mouse! These little guys, called choanoflagellates, have special genes that can turn regular cells into amazing, do-anything c
Imagine you could make ammonia and long-lasting batteries from something as common as nitrates. That's exactly what scientists have done by creating copper nitride (Cu3N) nanocrystals. The secret lies in a special reaction called nitrate reduction, which involves moving 8 electrons around. This reac
Global warming is heating up freshwater habitats, and non-native fish are invading these places. Usually, scientists look at these issues separately, but they're both big threats to biodiversity. Fish are ectotherms, meaning their bodies are influenced by the temperature of their water. So, when wat
Do you know how some plants make sure they don't marry their siblings? Meanwhile, it's not like they can walk around and pick their partners. This is where heterostyly comes into play. It's a fancy genetic strategy that helps plants like Ophiorrhiza alatiflora (a type of flower from the Rubiaceae fa
Scientists are boosting the power of tiny metal particles by making them more porous and packed with multiple metals. Imagine a small house (the core) with a unique shape, surrounded by a wall made of many types of bricks (the shell). When these tiny 'houses' are made just right, they can do amazing
Have you ever stopped to wonder how the weather can influence what animals eat? Let's talk about gopher tortoises, plant-eating creatures that love fruit when it's ripe. When it rains, these tortoises switch to a diet filled with fruits. This change affects the types of seeds they spread, giving an
Get ready for an out-of-this-world trip! Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket is gearing up to launch six people into space this Friday. Among them is Emily Calandrelli, also known as “Space Gal, ” who is thrilled about her upcoming journey. She’s an MIT engineer and a popular science show host known fo
