How do crystals form?

There are a lot of myths about crystals − for example, that they are magical rocks with healing powers. An earth scientist explains some of their amazing true science.

Natalie Bursztyn, Lecturer in Geosciences, University of Montana • conversation
Nov. 20, 2023 • ~7 min

Thanksgiving sides are delicious and can be nutritious − here's the biochemistry of how to maximize the benefits

The turkey doesn’t have to be the star this Thanksgiving. Vegetable side dishes are packed with nutrients − depending on how you prepare them, they can help keep you energized this holiday season.

Julie Pollock, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond • conversation
Nov. 17, 2023 • ~8 min

Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few seconds

Flame retardants were developed to prevent house fires and help save lives. But they come with some serious health risks.

Martin Sharkey, Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Galway • conversation
Nov. 15, 2023 • ~7 min

How animals get their skin patterns is a matter of physics – new research clarifying how could improve medical diagnostics and synthetic materials

Understanding how the intricate spots and stripes, or Turing patterns, of many animals form can help scientists mimic those processes in the lab.

Ankur Gupta, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Nov. 8, 2023 • ~8 min

Engineered 'living materials' could help clean up water pollution one day

‘Living materials’ made with genetically engineered bacteria and Jell-O-like gel could make pollutants in water bodies nontoxic.

Debika Datta, Postdoctoral Scholar in Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Nov. 7, 2023 • ~6 min

Asteroids in the solar system could contain undiscovered, superheavy elements

Scientists have been searching Earth’s surface for superheavy elements too difficult to make in the lab, but now, many are looking to the skies instead.

Johann Rafelski, Professor of Physics, University of Arizona • conversation
Oct. 27, 2023 • ~8 min

Physics has long failed to explain life – but we're testing a groundbreaking new theory in the lab

Life seems to just mysteriously ‘emerge’ from non-living parts, such as elementary particles.

Lee Cronin, Regius Chair of Chemistry, University of Glasgow • conversation
Oct. 24, 2023 • ~7 min

A layered lake is a little like Earth’s early oceans − and lets researchers explore how oxygen built up in our atmosphere billions of years ago

An unusual lake with distinct layers of low-oxygen and high-iron water lets researchers investigate conditions like those in the early Earth’s oceans.

Elizabeth Swanner, Associate Professor of Geology, Iowa State University • conversation
Oct. 23, 2023 • ~11 min

Quantum dots − a new Nobel laureate describes the development of these nanoparticles from basic research to industry application

Louis Brus explains some of the foundational research – and how even the letter carrier wants to shake your hand when you’ve just won a Nobel Prize.

Louis Brus, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Columbia University • conversation
Oct. 20, 2023 • ~10 min

New class of recyclable polymer materials could one day help reduce single-use plastic waste

A team of scientists has developed a method for creating a new class of plastic materials that are potentially more recyclable than single-use plastics.

Emma Rettner, PhD Candidate in Materials Science and Engineering, Colorado State University • conversation
Oct. 19, 2023 • ~7 min

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