Lighting a fire using friction requires an understanding of some physics principles − but there are ways to make the process easier

You may have seen contestants on reality shows like “Survivor” make fire using friction, but do you know the physics behind the process?

Bradley Duncan, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Dayton • conversation
Dec. 14, 2023 • ~9 min

When authoritative sources hold onto bad data: A legal scholar explains the need for government databases to retract information

Theranos was dissolved years ago, and its CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, is in prison, but the company’s patents based on bad science live on – a stark example of the persistence of faulty information.

Janet Freilich, Associate Professor of Law, Fordham University • conversation
Dec. 14, 2023 • ~8 min

Scientists have been researching superconductors for over a century, but they have yet to find one that works at room temperature − 3 essential reads

Claims about the discovery of a coveted room-temperature superconductor peppered the news in 2023. We pulled three stories from our archives on what superconductivity is and why scientists study it.

Mary Magnuson, Assistant Science Editor • conversation
Dec. 5, 2023 • ~7 min

Science is a human right − and its future is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Decades ago, the international community codified science as a cultural right and protected expression of human creativity. Reaffirming science’s value can help it better serve humanity.

Andrea Boggio, Professor of Politics, Law and Society, Bryant University • conversation
Dec. 5, 2023 • ~10 min

The way a sperm tail moves can be explained by mathematics worked out by Alan Turing

The movement patterns in sperm could be explained by maths often used to describe the way chemicals interact.

Hermes Bloomfield-Gadêlha, Mathematician, University of Bristol • conversation
Nov. 24, 2023 • ~7 min

Earthrise: historian uncovers the true origins of the 'image of the century’

Borman’s professionalism helped the risky Apollo 8 mission become a success.

Robert Poole, Professor of History, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
Nov. 17, 2023 • ~8 min

Earth has many objects in orbit but definitely only one Moon – despite what some people think

Despite the distances involved, people as far apart as the UK and Australia can see the Moon at the same time.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Nov. 9, 2023 • ~6 min

The best techniques for being a cricket fast bowler, according to science

Why the speed of fast bowling in cricket seems to have stalled.

Paul Felton, Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics in the School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Nov. 1, 2023 • ~8 min

People in Europe ate seaweed for thousands of years before it largely disappeared from their diets – new research

The decline of seaweed as part of the staple diet in Europe remains a mystery.

Stephen Buckley, Research Fellow, Department of Archaeology, University of York • conversation
Oct. 25, 2023 • ~7 min

People in Europe ate seaweed for thousands of years before it largely disappeared from our diets – new research

The decline of seaweed as part of the staple diet in Europe remains a mystery.

Stephen Buckley, Research Fellow, Department of Archaeology, University of York • conversation
Oct. 25, 2023 • ~7 min

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