ACT

Jan 02 2025SCIENCE

Cool Chemistry: Turning Esters into Alkanes with a Helping Hand

Imagine you have some esters, and you want to turn them into alkanes. It might sound like a tough job, but scientists have found a clever way to do this using a helper called cobalt. This isn't just any helper; it's a well-defined cobalt catalyst that can work wonders with just a tiny bit of base an

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025HEALTH

Doctors are Uniting to Gain a Voice

A decade-long doctor at Newton Medical Practice, Dr. Zoe Tseng, was shocked when she heard the clinic was closing. She and her colleagues were to be reassigned, while other staff were offered jobs elsewhere. Tseng felt powerless and worried about her patients. This experience sparked her decision to

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025HEALTH

Why Stress Can Be Your Friend

Dr. Jonathan Leary, a well-known New York City wellness expert, has an unconventional message: stress isn't all bad. In fact, he believes it can boost performance and memory. Leary, who has celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Drake visiting his cold plunge sessions, thinks that a moderate amount of

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025TECHNOLOGY

Password Length Matters More than Complexity

Ever wondered what makes a password strong? It’s not just about using fancy characters and numbers! Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) updated its password guidelines, and the key takeaway is surprising. They found that longer passwords are actually more secure than

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025HEALTH

Using AI to Unravel Teeth Problems in 3D Scans

You know how dentists use special X-rays to see inside your mouth? It's called cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). When teeth are stuck or impacted, it can be tricky to see them clearly. Scientists recently tested four different smart computer tools, called deep learning methods, to see which one

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025CRIME

New Orleans Faces New Year's Tragedy: A Call for Change

New Orleans woke up to a shock on Wednesday morning. A pickup truck had plowed into New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street, killing 15 and injuring many more. The festive atmosphere was instantly replaced with horror and disbelief. Ken Williams, a local chef, summed it up: "We're all numb. " The cit

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025SCIENCE

Flexible Molecules Revolutionize Lanthanide Extraction

Nature often uses flexible structures to interact with specific molecules. Scientists have taken a cue from this strategy and developed a flexible ligand called octadecyl acyclopa (ODA). Unlike rigid structures, ODA can dynamically change its shape. This makes it an effective tool for separating lig

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025SCIENCE

How Different Mineral Sources Affect Cows and Their Calves

Imagine you're a farmer with a herd of pregnant Angus cows. You decided to give them some extra minerals during their late pregnancy. You had three options: minerals from sulfates, organic complexes, or hydroxychlorides. You might think these would have different effects, but let's see what happened

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Jon Hamm's Busy Year Earns Him a New Title

2025 is shaping up to be the year of Jon Hamm, at least according to Andy Cohen. During a segment on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live, Cohen playfully dubbed Hamm the “male Nicole Kidman” because of his packed schedule this year. Hamm, known for his role on Mad Men, has been involved in a variety of projec

reading time less than a minute
Jan 02 2025HEALTH

COVID-19: Alcohol Use and Violence in the Bay Area

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on alcohol consumption and exposure to violence, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Between January 2021 and April 2023, researchers gathered data from 565 adults who drink alcohol. They found that heavy drinking (four or more drinks on one o

reading time less than a minute