Physics

  1. Animals

    Whales echolocate with big clicks and tiny amounts of air

    Toothed whales may echolocate using bits of air that they recycle inside their heads to conserve both air and energy.

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  2. Space

    Dust-shrouded monster is a snapshot from the early universe

    Scientists have spotted a massive galaxy from the early universe shrouded in dust. It turned up in a small survey by the ALMA radio telescopes in Chile.

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  3. Physics

    Like Magneto? Microcrystals give magnets superpower over living cells

    New iron-rich protein crystals could help researchers better understand the nerve cells that control movement and sensation. All they need are magnets.

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  4. Space

    Explainer: Understanding meteors and meteor showers

    Meteors regularly enter Earth’s atmosphere. Most ‘shooting stars’ pose few risks to life on the ground, but the rare big ones can be lethal.

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  5. Physics

    Tests challenge whether centuries-old violins really are the best ever

    Some centuries-old Italian violins are reputed to be the best ever made. Scientists tested that. Their data now show new instruments can sound at least as good — and sometimes better.

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  6. Physics

    Magnetic fields may supercharge the sun’s release of heat

    Astronomers have linked flame-like tendrils rising from the sun to changes in its magnetic fields. This may be one step toward understanding why the sun’s corona is so very, very hot.

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  7. Climate

    Hotspots found for lightning’s superbolts

    A nine-year survey reveals where and when the most energetic lightning strikes — and it’s not what scientists expected.

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  8. Life

    A new spin on lab-grown meat

    A technique inspired by how cotton candy is spun could help produce lab-grown meat at a lower cost and on a bigger scale.

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  9. Tech

    Weird little fish inspires the development of super-grippers

    Suction-cup designers were inspired by the rock-grabbing tricks of the aptly named clingfish.

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  10. Physics

    Scientists Say: Power

    This word describes the rate at which energy is delivered or used to do work, along with related ideas, such as ways of making electricity.

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  11. Physics

    Frozen’s ice queen commands ice and snow — maybe we can too

    In the Frozen movies, Elsa magically manipulates snow and ice. But scientists, too, make snowflakes. If they reinforce it, architects can build with ice and snow.

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  12. Physics

    First heavy element identified from a neutron-star collision

    Scientists have at last witnessed newborn strontium in the afterglow of a neutron-star smashup. It confirms what they had suspected about how many massive stars are created.

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