Scientists Say
A weekly word defined, in a sentence and in context.
- Math
Scientists Say: Fractal
There’s no end in sight for these infinitely complex geometric wonders.
- Materials Science
Scientists Say: Goldene
Making this metallic, two-dimensional (2-D) material is difficult — but super-thin sheets of gold could have uses in electronics and chemistry.
- Science & Society
Scientists Say: Thought experiment
Thinking through imaginary, sometimes absurd, scenarios can catalyze new ways of thinking.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Beakiation
Parrots use this clever sidestepping motion to maneuver along thin branches.
- Materials Science
Scientists Say: Superconductor
At cold enough temperatures, these materials can conduct electricity with no resistance.
- Space
Scientists Say: Astronomical interferometry
This technique links up many telescopes to see the universe in finer detail than any single telescope could alone.
- Chemistry
Scientists Say: Excitation
Excited electrons are to thank for dazzling fireworks displays, plants harnessing energy, the semiconductors behind modern tech and more.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Endotherm and Ectotherm
Endotherms use their own energy to maintain their internal temperature. Ectotherms use external heat sources to control their body temperature.
- Chemistry
Scientists Say: Methane
Used to cook food and heat homes, this potent greenhouse gas accounts for 30 percent of the warming of our climate.
- Health & Medicine
Scientists Say: Menstruation
Menstruation is part of a roughly monthly cycle that helps a person’s body prepare for possible pregnancy.
- Space
Scientists Say: Cosmic microwave background
The cosmic microwave background is the afterglow of the Big Bang.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Compound Eye
Compound eyes made up of many smaller visual structures may not produce crisp images, but they offer a great field of view.
