Blogs - Page 2 of 105 - This Week in Science

Astronomy

The Dark Forest Hypothesis: Is the Universe Silent Because Everyone Is Hiding?

Imagine walking through a forest in the middle of the night. You cannot see what is hiding among the trees. You hear something moving in the distance, but you have no idea what it is. It could be harmless. It could be dangerous. And whatever is out there might be listening for you, too. Would […]

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Biology

Your Toddler’s Bedtime Could Affect Their Height Growth

To raise a taller generation, parents might want to rethink their toddlers’ bedtime routines. A study by Japanese researchers found that toddlers who went to bed earlier at 1.5 years old gained slightly more height by age 3. The impact of sleep on growth isn’t just about getting enough hours; when those hours happen may […]

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Biology

Theranos Promised to Revolutionize Blood Testing. Scientists May Have Found a Better Way.

Elizabeth Holmes is back in the spotlight thanks to the viral documentary You Can See Everything. Meanwhile, a new study reveals a tiny, flexible sensor that can measure chemicals in the blood in real time. Could this be the kind of breakthrough Theranos promised but never delivered? Elizabeth Holmes is having another moment. The former […]

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News

From Voice-Detecting Brains to Smart Blood Sensors: Seven Amazing Science Discoveries

What do tiny monkeys, electric fish, and smart blood sensors have in common? They’re all helping scientists better understand how living things work. This week’s science discoveries take us inside the brain, through the bloodstream, and even into the waters of the Amazon. Researchers are finding new ways to study the body, fight diseases, and […]

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Geology

Why Vanuatu Gets So Many Earthquakes: A Look Inside One of Earth’s Most Active Collision Zones

When a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off Vanuatu on October 25, it briefly raised fears of a tsunami before the warning was canceled. It was not an isolated jolt. Over the past week, the region has seen a tight cluster of earthquakes, reminding us that this island nation sits in one of the planet’s busiest […]

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Psychology

Does a Full Moon Really Change Human Behavior?

On a full-moon night, the sky performs a very old magic trick. A familiar landscape turns silver. Shadows sharpen. Clouds glow around a bright white disk hanging over the horizon. Somewhere, a nurse jokes that the emergency room is going to be busy. A police officer remembers the last bizarre shift that happened beneath a […]

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Explainer

It’s Mole Day! Getting to Know Avogadro’s Number

Have you ever wondered how many tiny particles exist in the smallest grain of sand or the breath of air you just inhaled? The world of atoms and molecules is vast yet incredibly tiny. That’s where Avogadro’s number comes into play—it’s the key to understanding how countless invisible particles make up everything around us. Whether […]

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Psychology

Do School Cellphone Bans Improve Youth Mental Health? What the Research Shows

Pennsylvania is poised to require a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools. The policy may make classrooms calmer and school days less digitally saturated. But the emerging research suggests something more complicated: taking phones away at school is not the same thing as treating the youth mental-health crisis. This article was first published on our sister […]

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Physics

How Neutron Imaging Unveils Ice and Water’s Secret Phase Dance

In an intriguing twist of nature’s dance, water and ice reveal their dynamic coexistence in unnoticed corners of the world through an invisible force: neutron imaging. This seemingly science-fiction technique lets researchers distinguish water from ice in natural porous materials, breaking conventional boundaries and offering insights into mysterious phase transitions. The Invisible Performer: Neutron Imaging […]

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