Chemistry
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Earth
Eels point to suffocating Gulf floor
In June, scientists predicted that the Gulf of Mexico’s annual dead zone — a subsea region where the water contains too little oxygen to support life — might develop into the biggest ever. In fact, that didn’t happen. Owing to the fortuitous arrival of stormy weather, this year’s dead zone peaked at about 6,800 square miles, scientists reported on Aug. 1 — big but far from the record behemoth of 9,500 square miles that had been mentioned as distinctly possible.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Clear batteries, mucus busters, a 3-D invisibility cloak and more in this week's news.
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- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Sticky graphene, dried-up coffee, a panda pregnancy test and more in this week’s news.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Shaking off snake venom, flexible display screens and krill-sniffing penguins in this week's news.
- Humans
Metal water bottles may leach BPA
Consumers who switched from polycarbonate-plastic water bottles to metal ones in hopes of avoiding the risk that bisphenol A will leach into their beverages aren’t necessarily any better off, a new study finds. Some metal water bottles leach even more BPA — an estrogen-mimicking pollutant — than do ones made from the now-pariah plastic.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Tibetan singing bowls, supersized Rubik's Cubes and sound-squeezing soda cans in this week's news
- Chemistry
Fats stimulate binge eating
Much like marijuana, fatty foods can spur overeating, a study in rats shows. The new finding also suggests possible therapies to combat the munchies.
- Tech
Some comfort about broken CFLs
My night-owl daughter woke me in a panic at around 2 a.m., a couple of weeks back. While swatting at a fly, she’d just broken the compact fluorescent light illuminating her closet. Having heard me warn endlessly of how we should be careful in handling these bulbs — since they contain mercury — she wanted to know what kind of damage control was called for. I only wish I knew then what I do now.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Electrifying ink, superelastic alloys, knotty molecules and more in this week's news.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Human magnetism, electronic fungus sniffers and heat-triggered tumor killers in this week's news.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
A first look at the roots of sight, plus fading blues, steady birds and more in this week’s news.
