ScientistPankaj: A Stunning Image Shows Stars Aligned for the James Webb Space Telescope

Friday, March 25, 2022

A Stunning Image Shows Stars Aligned for the James Webb Space Telescope

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March 25, 2022

Astrophysics

A Stunning Image Shows Stars Aligned for the James Webb Space Telescope

With its mirrors now focused, the observatory’s science instruments are now being readied for work

By Elizabeth Howell,SPACE.com

Energy

How Ukraine Unplugged from Russia and Joined Europe's Power Grid with Unprecedented Speed

Engineers achieved “a year’s work in two weeks” to safely do so

By Anna Blaustein

Vaccines

Vaccines Remain Effective against BA.2, but Protection from Infection Wanes over Time

Such protection declines within months of the mRNA COVID vaccines’ third dose. Yet the vaccines continue to ward off severe disease

By Saima May Sidik,Nature magazine

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Climate Change

Supersized Goldfish Could Become Superinvaders

The fish—some of which have grown up to three pounds—could thrive in the conditions expected with climate change

By Hannah Loss

Mathematics

The Evolving Quest for a Grand Unified Theory of Mathematics

More than 50 years after the seeds of a vast collection of mathematical ideas called the Langlands program began to sprout, surprising new findings are emerging

By Rachel Crowell

Climate Change

To Help Tackle Climate Crisis, White House Touts Nuclear Fusion

Gina McCarthy and other administration officials showcased fusion energy in a bid to accelerate vast amounts of carbon-free power

By Scott Waldman,Corbin Hiar,E&E News

Defense

How Many Nuclear Weapons Exist, and Who Has Them?

Nuclear states admit to owning about 13,000 warheads, but the real number could be higher

By Joe Phelan,LiveScience

Epidemiology

Are 'COVID Toes' Actually Caused by the Coronavirus?

A study adds to evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection doesn’t cause an inflamed-toe condition called chilblains, but it doesn’t close the door

By Cassandra Willyard,Nature magazine

Reproduction

What Quantum Mechanics Can Teach Us about Abortion

As light can exist as both a particle and a wave, an abortion provider can honor birth and fight for a person’s right to give birth when it’s right for them

By Cara C. Heuser

Sociology

How Do We End Wars? A Peace Researcher Puts Forward Some Innovative Approaches

Young people and women need to be more involved in a continual process of averting armed conflict

By Theodor Schaarschmidt

Basic Chemistry

See Crystals Form a Mesmerizing World of Microscopic Landscapes

A pandemic micrography project

By Joanna Thompson

Defense

Where Is Russia's Cyberwar? Researchers Decipher Its Strategy

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many analysts expected an unprecedented level of cyberattacks—which so far haven’t materialized

By Elizabeth Gibney,Nature magazine

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BRING SCIENCE HOME

Building a Disk Siren

Did you know that sirens can help explain how sound frequency works? And you can make your very own! Roll up your sleeves, and make some noise to learn more. Credit: George Retseck

You probably hear them almost every day: sirens. Police cars, ambulances, fire trucks—they all can come blaring. Their wailing sound is piercingly loud and pretty effective at clearing the road in front of them. But have you ever thought about how this loud noise is generated? Make your own simple disk siren in this activity and find out for yourself.