News

Tech

Shape shifter shifts twice

Certain plastics known as shape-memory polymers switch to predetermined shapes when triggered by heat or light. Now, researchers have developed more-versatile versions of such polymers. When heated, each of the new triple-shape polymers switches to a second shape. Then, at a higher temperature, the plastic changes to a third form. “For some applications, [these] more-complex […]

Math

A Fair Slice: New method makes for equitable eating

A new method for cutting cake yields slices that make everyone equally happy.

Health & Medicine

Catching Flu’s Drift: Vaccines fight unexpected influenza

Vaccination can prevent three of every four flu infections, even when the vaccines are imperfectly tailored to block the common wintertime pathogens.