Exotic “second sound” phenomenon observed in pencil lead
At relatively balmy temperatures, heat behaves like sound when moving through graphite, study reports.
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Tectonics in the tropics trigger Earth’s ice ages, study finds
Major tectonic collisions near the equator have caused three ice ages in the last 540 million years.
Microgravity research after the International Space Station
Researchers say new facilities in space should be available to scientists from any country.
Mini cheetah is the first four-legged robot to do a backflip
Robot’s lightweight, high-power design is the perfect platform to share and play, developers say.
Engineers make clear droplets produce iridescent colors
Optical effect could be harnessed for light displays, litmus tests, and makeup products.
Physicists calculate proton’s pressure distribution for first time
The particle’s core withstands pressures higher than those inside a neutron star, according to a new study.
Study of quark speeds finds a solution for a 35-year physics mystery
Number of proton-neutron pairs determine how fast the particles move, results suggest.
Lobster’s underbelly is as tough as industrial rubber
Membrane material’s properties could guide design of flexible body armor, new study suggests.
Climate change makes summer weather stormier yet more stagnant
Study finds rising temperatures feed more energy to thunderstorms, less to general circulation.
Mathematician finds balance and beauty in math
Zhiwei Yun seeks to connect seemingly disparate fields in mathematics.
New technique pinpoints milestones in the evolution of bacteria
Results show bacterial genomes provide “shadow history” of animal evolution.
Study: Much of the surface ocean will shift in color by end of 21st century
Climate-driven changes in phytoplankton communities will intensify the blue and green regions of the world’s oceans.
MIT robot combines vision and touch to learn the game of Jenga
Machine-learning approach could help robots assemble cellphones and other small parts in a manufacturing line.
Ingestible, expanding pill monitors the stomach for up to a month
Soft, squishy device could potentially track ulcers, cancers, and other GI conditions over the long term.
Engineers program marine robots to take calculated risks
Algorithm could help autonomous underwater vehicles explore risky but scientifically-rewarding environments.