Physics
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Earth
Cash for clunkers II: Appliances
States could soon roll out programs that help consumers replace energy hogging home appliances.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Styrofoam degrades in seawater
Study suggests besides the visible plastic, smaller bits are fouling the waters
- Health & Medicine
Worm-inspired superglue
Researchers create a material that may one day be used to paste together bones in the body.
- Physics
Casper the Quantum Ghost
Researchers find that a strange kind of imaging relies on quantum mechanics.
- Tech
Scientists propose lab-grade black holes
Creating tiny, artificial black holes could help uncover what happens to particles on the edge of full-sized black holes.
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- Physics
Putting the pressure on light
Changing pressure helps scientists gauge the speed of light in composite materials.
- Ecosystems
Churning the numbers
Some of the ocean’s small swimmers may be having a big impact on ocean mixing.
- Earth
Salty water power
A study reports a new, cheaper way to harvest energy from salt water and fresh water.
- Tech
Electric grid still very vulnerable to electromagnetic weaponry
BLOG: Smart grid advocates weigh in on the vulnerability of the U.S. electrical infrastructure to electromagnetic pulse radiation.
By Janet Raloff - Life
Beetle masters optics
Researchers may gain inspiration from the shell of Chrysina gloriosa, which twists light in a particular way.
- Earth
A hundred new nukes?
Here are some issues to contemplate while deciding whether to welcome the nuclear-power renaissance that Sen. Alexander has just proposed.
By Janet Raloff