How does Wi-Fi work? An electrical engineer explains
Wi-Fi has become a fundamental part of modern digital life, but its foundation is the same as the technology that allowed your great-grandparents to listen to their favorite radio programs.
Jan. 12, 2021 • ~5 min
Why do smoke alarms keep going off even when there's no smoke?
An electrical engineer explains how smoke detectors work, and how to reduce the chances of a false positive.
Jan. 8, 2021 • ~5 min
What is a margin of error? This statistical tool can help you understand vaccine trials and political polling
Whether you are predicting the outcome of an election or studying how effective a new drug is, there will always be some uncertainty. A margin of error is how statisticians measure that uncertainty.
Jan. 6, 2021 • ~5 min
When working out makes you sick to your stomach: What to know about exercise-induced nausea
You're working out, feeling great – until your stomach starts to churn and you're sidelined with a bout of nausea. Here's what's happening in your body and how to avoid this common effect of exercise.
Dec. 29, 2020 • ~7 min
How sensors monitor and measure our bodies and the world around us
Sensors are everywhere, from your phone to your medicine cabinet. Here's how they turn events in the physical world into words and numbers.
Dec. 7, 2020 • ~4 min
How do archaeologists know where to dig?
Archaeologists used to dig primarily at sites that were easy to find thanks to obvious visual clues. But technology – and listening to local people – plays a much bigger role now.
Dec. 4, 2020 • ~10 min
What makes the world's biggest surfable waves?
Some beaches in the world tend to consistently produce huge waves. Places like Nazaré Canyon in Portugal and Mavericks in California are famous for their waves because of the shape of the seafloor.
Dec. 3, 2020 • ~7 min
Why do older people heal more slowly?
Healing is a complicated process. As people age, higher rates of disease and the fact that old cells lose the ability to divide slow this process down.
Nov. 24, 2020 • ~9 min
What is an algorithm? How computers know what to do with data
A close look at how you decide what clothes to put on in the morning can help you understand how computers work.
Oct. 16, 2020 • ~5 min
Some bees are born curious while others are more single-minded – new research hints at how the hive picks which flowers to feast on
New research suggests individual bees are born with one of two learning styles – either curious or focused. Their genetic tendency has implications for how the hive works together.
Oct. 5, 2020 • ~7 min
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