In the last decade, China has made big strides in cleaning up its outdoor air. However, there's a sneaky problem hiding right under our noses, or rather, right under our feet. The air in urban metro systems is often filled with tiny, harmful particles, and it's a problem that hasn't gotten much atte
The world is facing a big problem with colon cancer. It is one of the top causes of cancer deaths. Getting checked early can make a huge difference in treatment success. So, why aren't more people getting screened? It's not a simple question. Many things influence whether someone decides to get sc
A heart procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is used to fix faulty aortic valves. Sometimes, during this procedure, the new valve doesn't line up perfectly with the old one. This misalignment is called noncoaxial placement. It can be spotted using a special type of imaging
Ever thought of seeing in the dark? Scientists have created contact lenses that let humans and mice see near-infrared light. This light is usually invisible to us, but these lenses convert it into visible colors. The secret? Special nanoparticles embedded in the lenses. These nanoparticles absorb in
Water and plastic do not mix well. This is especially true for tiny plastic bits called microplastics. These tiny plastics float around in our oceans and rivers. The way they move and settle depends on many things. Their shape, how round they are, and even how they interact with water. When these pl
Lichens are tough and can handle harsh conditions. They make melanin, a pigment that helps them survive in tough spots. This pigment is like a shield, protecting them from too much light and UV rays. One type of lichen, Lobaria pulmonaria, has been studied for its melanin. It turns out, this lichen
Microplastics have become a hot topic in environmental discussions. These tiny plastic particles are everywhere. They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even the food we eat. But did you know they can also enter our bodies through a more direct route? Intravenous (IV) drips, often us
New Zealand's beaches are under threat from a tiny but significant problem: microplastics. These minuscule plastic particles have been found in beach sediments across the country, with a recent study focusing on three regions: Northland, Waikato, and Canterbury. The study aimed to understand the ext
The NFL has given the green light for its players to join the flag football event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision came after a unanimous vote from NFL owners, showing strong support for the idea. The vote was a landslide, with all owners backing the proposal. This means that each NFL
In the world of tiny materials, there are some incredible things happening. One of these is the creation of special patterns called Moiré superlattices in 2D van der Waals materials. These patterns allow scientists to tweak local polarization textures and electrostatic potential landscapes. Now, thi
