How long do civilizations last
It is one of the most famous questions in science, and it was asked, as legend has it, over lunch.
Enrico Fermi, the physicist who...
Why breakthrough solar cells often fail to reach your roof
Many new energy technologies look impressive in the laboratory but never become real products.
Solar cells are a clear example. Scientists can achieve record performance...
Scientists discover how to block noise without blocking airflow
Designing spaces that are both well ventilated and quiet has always been difficult.
Openings that allow fresh air to circulate—such as vents and ducts—also let...
MIT’s new AI turns creative 3D designs into objects that won’t break
Generative artificial intelligence can produce amazing designs for objects such as decorations, furniture, and accessories.
With a simple text prompt, AI tools can create detailed...
How an ordinary umbrella can trick and capture autonomous drones
Autonomous drones that can follow people or objects on their own are becoming more common in policing, border security, and surveillance.
These aircraft use camera-based...
Scientists discover cost-saving way to build structures on the moon
Scientists are exploring an exciting idea for future space missions: building structures on the Moon using the Moon’s own soil.
A new study shows that...
Raincoat no longer waterproof? Why—and how to fix it
You pull on your rain jacket, step out into the storm, and within half an hour your undershirt is soaked.
The jacket you purchased as...
AI eye test could catch silent blindness earlier than doctors alone
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that slowly damages vision and can lead to permanent blindness if it is not treated.
It is sometimes called...
Scientists solve key stability problems in inverted perovskite solar cells
Solar power is getting cheaper and more powerful, but researchers are still working to make the next generation of solar panels reliable enough for...
Why your dog tries to help and your cat just watches
If you’ve ever lost something at home, you may have noticed a funny difference between your pets.
Your dog might rush over, sniff around, and...
How a 600-million-year-old one-eyed creature shaped human sight
Long before humans, dinosaurs, or even fish existed, one of our distant ancestors looked very different from anything alive today.
Researchers now say that all...
Sunlight-powered catalyst could help eliminate “forever chemicals”
Scientists have developed a new material that uses sunlight to break down PFAS, a group of long-lasting pollutants often called “forever chemicals.”
The discovery offers...
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Dangerous chemical exposure linked to cancers in women
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology reveals a potential connection between certain chemicals and an increased risk...
Dark SRF experiment: an unprecedented leap in dark photon search
Scientists working on the Dark SRF experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have demonstrated unprecedented sensitivity in searching for theorized particles known as...
Scientists find innovative way to measure electricity in cells
Electricity is a key ingredient in living bodies.
We know that voltage differences are important in biological systems; they drive the beating of the heart...
Scientists find earliest life may have arisen in ponds
In a new study, researchers have discovered that earliest life may have arisen in ponds, not oceans.
Primitive ponds may have provided a more suitable...
Scientists reveal the nature of unknown gamma-ray sources
Astronomers have unveiled the nature of hundreds of gamma-ray emitting sources, discovering that most of them belong to the class of active galaxies known...