Blogs - Page 25 of 56 - This Week in Science

Society

How AI and Analytics are Transforming Tennis

What makes a tennis player great? Is it their lightning-quick reflexes, towering height, or pinpoint serves? While these traits certainly play a role, the answer may lie deeper—hidden in data. A recent study has analyzed the performances of 1,990 ATP players from the 2022 season, employing machine learning and statistical techniques to uncover what really […]

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Computing

Willow: The Quantum Chip Revolutionizing Computing

Imagine solving a problem so complex that it would take today’s fastest supercomputers longer than the age of the universe—10 septillion years, to be exact. Google Quantum AI’s latest quantum chip, Willow, did it in just five minutes. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the dawn of a transformative technology poised to change the way we […]

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Announcements

Bringing Science to Everyone: The Launch of This Week in Science Article Feed

At This Week in Science, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of knowledge. Science, at its core, is a quest—a journey to uncover truths, solve mysteries, and improve lives. But what happens when the discoveries from these epic quests are locked behind paywalls or hidden in language that only a select few can decode? […]

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Uncategorized

How Twitch is Shaping the Future of Political Conversations

Imagine turning into a video game stream and finding a live debate about climate change or a fundraiser for social justice causes. This isn’t a fantasy—it’s Twitch. While Twitch is primarily known as a platform for gaming and entertainment, it’s also a growing hub for political dialogue. Politicians, activists, and everyday users are leveraging the […]

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Geology

Could a Better Message Save Lives?

Imagine you’re at the beach, enjoying the serene sound of waves, when your phone buzzes with an emergency alert: “Tsunami warning issued. Evacuate immediately.” Would you know where to go? Would you act quickly enough? Tsunamis can strike with devastating force and little warning, making effective communication a matter of life and death. Researchers have […]

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Economics

The Hidden Costs of Research: Lessons from NIH Overhead Funding

This 2014 Nature article explores the complexities of indirect costs in NIH research funding, highlighting how institutions must negotiate reimbursement rates for essential but often overlooked expenses like administration, facilities maintenance, and utilities. While direct research funding captures attention, the “less sexy” infrastructure costs are vital for sustaining cutting-edge science. Due to federal caps and […]

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Biology

Birds, Berries, and Climate Change

Have you ever thought of the birds in your neighborhood as ecosystem engineers? In cities like Helsinki, where urban landscapes blend with natural habitats, these winged visitors are doing more than singing—they’re carrying seeds, shaping plant communities, and potentially contributing to a hidden ecological challenge: the spread of invasive plant species. Recent research sheds light […]

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Announcements

Any Interest in Policy?

Next Week in Science, December 6, 2024 For a while now, I’ve been interested in Policy as a means of facilitating wide-scale change. This is particularly important to me, as I have a community-based backgroup and have worked in public health settings for the better part of the decade. But, with the incoming administration, maybe […]

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Psychology

The Science Behind Preventing Unsafe Workplace Behavior

We love checklists. No, we actually do. Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto is probably one of the seminal books in my own development in the field of implementation science and quality. And there’s good reason. Did you know that most industrial accidents stem from human error rather than faulty machinery? Understanding and preventing unsafe behavior […]

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