You know that feeling when you try to stretch a plastic bag and it just tears apart? That's because of the polymers used in its making. One such polymer is gelatin, which is safe and natural but not very flexible. Scientists decided to mix gelatin with another polymer called curdlan to make it more bendy. They found that when curdlan is added to gelatin, the mixture ...
Imagine you're playing with building blocks. Now, imagine those blocks are super tiny and can do amazing things like conduct electricity or improve how things look under a microscope. That's what polyoxometalates (POMs) are! Recently, scientists mixed some fascinating ingredients to create four new POMs. They started with something called {XW9Nb3O40} (X = Si/Ge), whi...
Have you ever considered the tiny iron particles hiding in your water? These microscopic invaders can harm our bodies and damage the pipes that transport water. Fortunately, scientists have found a clever way to capture these iron ions using two materials called polydopamine (PDA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). When combined, PDA and PMMA can trap iron for sever...
Imagine this: you're doing some yard work and suddenly stumble upon something huge, unusual, and very old. That's exactly what happened to a homeowner in Orange County, New York. While tidying up their backyard, they found two massive teeth hidden under some plants. Intrigued, they called in experts from the New York State Museum and State University of New York Oran...
Ever imagined using something as tiny as a grain of sand to clean our water? Scientists have found a fascinating solution with D301 beads. These tiny beads were tested with a common water pollutant called humic acid. Using advanced tools like 3D fluorescence spectroscopy, researchers discovered that D301 beads can absorb a significant amount of pollutant – up to 37. ...
Ever wondered if a molecule could change its magnetic behavior just by seeing light? Well, scientists have made that happen! They've discovered a special molecule that's like a chameleon, altering its magnetic properties when light shines on it. This isn't your average molecule; it's a dynamic duo, nicknamed Dy Dy. Imagine a magnet that can switch on and off with jus...
Imagine if you could juice up your phone while drinking water at the same time. Scientists have come up with two materials, CP1 and CP2, made from lead. CP2 is super speedy in moving electrons, which makes energy production quicker and eco-friendlier. While both materials look promising, CP2 could be the game-changer. This discovery might revolutionize how we think a...
Astronomers have spotted a comet that’s getting really close to Earth. It’s been a while since this comet visited – around 80,000 years! The best time to see it is just after sunset, looking west. You might not need binoculars or a telescope; your naked eye should do the trick. If you miss it this time, don’t worry too much, you’ll have another chance in 80,000 years...
Ever wondered if there's life beyond Earth? NASA is on a mission to find out, starting with Europa, one of Jupiter's icy moons. This moon might have more water than all of Earth's oceans combined! That's why NASA is launching its biggest spacecraft ever, called Europa Clipper. It's like a giant explorer, bigger than a basketball court, ready to uncover Europa's secre...
You might think you need time to sniff and figure out what's in the air, but think again! A recent study found that our noses are quicker than we imagine. In just a tiny fraction of a second, about 60 milliseconds, we can tell the difference between different smells. That's faster than you can blink! Scientists designed a special gadget to test this. They asked peopl...