When a star is born or dies, or when any other very energetic phenomenon occurs in the universe, it emits X-rays[1], which are high-energy light particles that aren’t visible to the naked eye. These X-rays are the same kind that doctors use[2] to take pictures of broken bones inside the body. But instead of looking at the shadows...
Modern life relies on electricity and electrical devices, from cars and buses to phones and laptops, to the electrical systems in homes. Behind many of these devices is a type of energy storage device, the supercapacitor[1]. My team of engineers is working on making these supercapacitors even better at storing energy by studying how they...
When a wild orangutan in Sumatra recently suffered a facial wound, apparently after fighting with another male, he did something that caught the attention of the scientists observing him.
The animal chewed the leaves of a liana vine[1] – a plant[2] not normally eaten by apes. Over several days, the orangutan carefully applied the juice to...
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently investigated[1] Philadelphia’s use of what it described as a “little-scrutinized, 7,000-camera system that is exposing residents across the city to heightened surveillance with few rules or safeguards against abuse.” The article detailed how Philadelphia narcotics cops not only allegedly failed to disclose...