Social studies as 'neutral?' That's a myth, and pressures teachers to avoid contentious issues
With a world literally and figuratively burning around them, high school social studies teachers are charged with engaging students in sensitive topics.
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Light-based Ising computer runs at room temperature and stays stable for hours
A team of researchers at Queen's University has developed a powerful new kind of computing machine that uses light to take on complex problems such as protein folding (for drug discovery) and number partitioning (for cryptography). Built from off-the-shelf components, it also
Q&A: Using AI to accelerate the discovery and design of therapeutic drugs
In the pursuit of solutions to complex global challenges including disease, energy demands, and climate change, scientific researchers, including at MIT, have turned to artificial intelligence, and to quantitative analysis and modeling, to design and construct engineered cells
School breaks make up more than an hour of the day. Should they be considered part of learning?
Most public debate about schooling focuses on what happens inside the classroom—on lessons, tests and academic results.
Computer simulations reveal hurricane currents can knock down surface wave heights
Using advanced computer simulations, researchers from the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) have concluded how and why strong ocean currents modify surface waves. "Our primary finding is that hurricane-generated ocean currents can substantially
That dry, bitter taste may be waking up your brain
New research suggests the astringent sensation caused by flavanols could act as a direct signal to the brain, triggering effects similar to a mild workout for the nervous system. In mouse experiments, flavanol intake boosted activity, curiosity, learning, and memory—despite
AC/DC in surgery and lo-fi beats in the office: What the science says about working to music
Phil is in prep for surgery. As the anesthetic is about to be administered, the anesthetist says, "Oh, and by the way, during the procedure the surgical team will be listening to the hard rock classic, You Shook Me All Night Long."
These 773,000-year-old fossils may reveal our shared human ancestor
Fossils from a Moroccan cave have been dated with remarkable accuracy to about 773,000 years ago, thanks to a magnetic signature locked into the surrounding sediments. The hominin remains show a blend of ancient and more modern features, placing them near a pivotal branching
Webb unveils nature of distant ultraviolet-luminous galaxy CEERS2-588
Astronomers from the University of Tokyo in Japan and elsewhere have employed the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe a distant ultraviolet-luminous galaxy known as CEERS2-588. Results of the observational campaign, published January 29 on the arXiv preprint server,
Something supercharged Uranus when Voyager 2 flew past
Voyager 2’s flyby of Uranus in 1986 recorded radiation levels so extreme they baffled scientists for nearly 40 years. New research suggests the spacecraft caught Uranus during a rare solar wind event that flooded the planet’s radiation belts with extra energy. Similar storms
Achieving sustainable electrosynthesis of ethylamine at an industrial scale
From dyes to pharmaceuticals to emulsifiers—ethylamine (EA) is a versatile component used in many industries. The downside of EA is that its production is terribly complicated and energy intensive. However, it is not a simple task to simplify EA production in a way that can
Dark matter could be masquerading as a black hole at the Milky Way’s core
Astronomers propose that an ultra-dense clump of exotic dark matter could be masquerading as the powerful object thought to anchor our galaxy, explaining both the blistering speeds of stars near the center and the slower, graceful rotation of material far beyond. This dark
What to do when your home is at risk of falling into the sea—the hard choices facing Britain's storm-battered coasts
Recent storms washed away large sections of roads in the UK after sea defenses were damaged. For residents, it was a shock. But for coastal scientists, it was not unexpected.
Lahontan Basin cave burials 'neither rare nor uncommon,' says new study
In a study published in American Antiquity, Dr. David Madsen and his colleagues address the proposition that the lower Lahontan drainage basin (LLDB), located in the Intermountain West, is "unique" for the use of caves and rock shelters as burial locations. They found that,
Pulsar timing hints at a nearby dark matter 'sub-halo'
A group of US astronomers may have uncovered the first evidence for a dark matter sub-halo lurking just beyond our stellar neighborhood. Reporting their findings in Physical Review Letters, a team led by Sukanya Chakrabarti at the University of Alabama in Huntsville suggests
Digital ghosts: Are AI replicas of the dead an innovative medical tool or an ethical nightmare?
For centuries, work with donated bodies has shaped anatomical knowledge and medical training.
How COVID and H1N1 swept through U.S. cities in just weeks
New simulations reveal that both H1N1 and COVID-19 spread across U.S. cities in a matter of weeks, often before officials realized what was happening. Major travel hubs helped drive rapid nationwide transmission, with air travel playing a bigger role than daily commuting.
New hybrid films could cut costs for direct X-ray detectors
In medicine, security, nuclear safety and scientific research, X-rays are essential tools for seeing what remains hidden. The materials used to create X-ray detectors can be rigid, expensive and laborious to produce. But new research led by FSU Department of Chemistry and
Saving seagrass and French oysters: Fresh solutions breathe new life into Europe's coastal areas
European coastal areas are under increasing pressure. Researchers are investigating ways to reverse this trend and help communities adapt to climate change. From Arctic fjords to Mediterranean seagrass meadows, centuries of human activity have damaged habitats that were once
Menopause linked to grey matter loss in key brain regions
A major study suggests menopause is linked to changes in brain structure, mental health, and sleep. Brain scans revealed grey matter loss in areas tied to memory and emotional regulation, while many women reported increased anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Hormone therapy did
A century of hair shows how lead exposure collapsed
For decades, Americans were surrounded by lead from car exhaust, factories, paint, and even drinking water, often without realizing the damage it caused. By analyzing hair samples preserved across generations, scientists uncovered a striking record of how exposure soared before
Climate 'fingerprints' mark human activity from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean
The world is warming. This fact is most often discussed for Earth's surface, where we live. But the climate is also changing from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean. And there is a clear fingerprint of humanity's role in causing these changes through
Why does this river slice straight through a mountain range? After 150 years, scientists finally know
The western U.S. is a geologists' dream, home to the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, active volcanoes and striking sandstone arches. But one landform simply doesn't make sense.
New type of magnetism discovered in 2D materials
In collaboration with international partners, researchers at the University of Stuttgart have experimentally demonstrated a previously unknown form of magnetism in atomically thin material layers. The discovery is highly relevant for future magnetic data storage technologies
Saturday Citations: Imaginative bonobos; cannabis brain benefits; sneaky beetles
This week in science news: Nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, may break down more rapidly in the atmosphere than previously thought due to climate change. A new, experimental pill dramatically reduces bad cholesterol. And physicists believe they detected an exploding black
Mathematical model sheds light on African American family ties
Calling a friend "cousin" might not be just a term of affection among some African Americans. Now, a mathematical model shows that there is a good chance there is some type of family connection between 185 and 410 years ago for many pairs of African Americans of the same age.
Review finds knowledge management boosts public sector performance in emerging economies
Public sector organizations in emerging economies could improve their performance and resilience by taking a more systematic approach to knowledge management, according to a review in the International Journal of Business Excellence.
Fresh and healthy food can be difficult for some Montrealers to access, study shows
Fresh, affordable and nutritious food is an essential human need. But for many city-dwellers, accessing it can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for those who are elderly or have mobility challenges. This is true even in Montreal, a city that prides itself on its
Wildfire prevention models miss key factor: How forests will change over decades
Eucalyptus trees, laden with flammable oils, could spread into Portugal's south-central region by 2060 if changing climate conditions make the area more hospitable to their growth, creating wildfire hotspots that would evade detection by conventional prevention approaches.
Keeping long-term climate simulations stable and accurate with a new AI approach
Hybrid climate modeling has emerged as an effective way to reduce the computational costs associated with cloud-resolving models while retaining their accuracy. The approach retains physics-based models to simulate large-scale atmospheric dynamics, while harnessing deep
Passerine birds' survival tactic overturns long-held assumptions
Passerine (perching) birds make up 60% of all bird species, including some familiar Australian favorites, like the superb fairy-wren and willie wagtail. Until now, they were believed to only be capable of shallow reductions in body temperature, with deeper and longer torpor
Conservative and fragmented policymaking has slowed education reform in Ireland, study finds
A new study examining education policymaking in Ireland over the last 30 years finds long-standing conservative practices have significantly constrained meaningful reform. Published in Irish Educational Studies, the research draws on perspectives from academic research,
What were the first animals? The fierce sponge–jelly battle that just won’t end
For almost two decades, scientists have debated whether sponges or comb jellies are the first animal lineage. Now some are calling for a more harmonious approach.
Here’s What Makes for an Ideal Scent-Sniffing Dog
Dog trainers and handlers tease out the characteristics that are deal-breakers The post Here’s What Makes for an Ideal Scent-Sniffing Dog appeared first on Nautilus .
EU nations back chemical recycling for plastic bottles
European nations voted Friday to allow for chemical recycling to play a larger role in the production of plastic bottles, overcoming reservations about the energy-intensive technology.
What to watch as fungal infections rise: Species that can quickly 'translate' fat-use proteins
A new study by researchers at Kiel University and MPI-EvolBio describes how more efficient protein production drives the adaptation of fungi to the human body, potentially turning previously harmless species into emerging pathogens. In the wake of global change and the
What ‘6-7,’ demons and The Big Bang Theory tell us about prime numbers
Prime numbers have fascinated humankind for generations—here are three of the most intriguing primes
The science of how Olympian Lindsey Vonn can ski on injured knees
The decorated Olympic skier has had numerous injuries and a partial knee replacement but still plans to go for the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Addressing climate change without the 'rules-based order'
At the recent World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney proclaimed "a rupture" in the global "rules-based order" and a turn to great power rivalry.
What watching the Super Bowl does to your health
Watching sporting events like the Super Bowl can influence our brains and bodies—and not always in a good way
Spain, Portugal brace for fresh storm after flood deaths
Spain and Portugal on Saturday braced for another storm heading for the Iberian peninsula, just days after the floods caused by Storm Leonardo killed at least one person in each country.
NASA confirms first flight to ISS since medical evacuation
Four astronauts will blast off to re-staff the International Space Station (ISS) next week, NASA said Friday, after an emergency medical evacuation of the previous crew.
Annual orchids show brings vivid color to Chicago winter
A soft layer of white snow blankets the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The air is chilly, the sky gray.
New forecasts offer early warning of Arctic sea ice loss
Arctic sea ice helps cool the planet and influences weather patterns around the world, but it is disappearing faster than ever as the climate warms. Scientists have now developed a new forecasting method that can predict how much Arctic sea ice will remain months in advance,
Scientists find a missing link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis
New research suggests that Epstein-Barr virus may actively provoke the immune system in people with multiple sclerosis. Scientists found large buildups of virus-targeting immune cells in the nervous systems of MS patients, far more than in their blood. One viral gene was active
With international law at a 'breaking point', a tiny country goes after Myanmar's junta on its own
Just four months ago, Timor-Leste formally became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN). This week, the tiny country took an unprecedented step: its judicial authorities appointed a prosecutor to examine the Myanmar military's responsibility for war
Polarstern heads to the Weddell Sea to probe Antarctica's sharp sea ice drop
With the departure of the research vessel Polarstern from Punta Arenas (Chile) scheduled for this weekend, the "Summer Weddell Sea Outflow Study" (SWOS) international expedition will commence. Up to early April, a multidisciplinary international research team will investigate
Predicting glacier surges by understanding ecological tipping points
When and how quickly can ecosystems "tip" and how will they develop in the future? Researchers from the University of Potsdam, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the Technical University of Munich have developed a new method for measuring how close an
Scientists Turn to the Internet to Name New Species
Followers of Ze Frank submitted over 8,000 names for a newly discovered chiton The post Scientists Turn to the Internet to Name New Species appeared first on Nautilus .
The dirty afterlife of a dead satellite
Sometimes we humans get ahead of ourselves. We embark on grand engineering experiments without really understanding what the long-term implications of such projects are. Climate change itself is a perfect example of that—no one in the early industrial revolution realized that,
