Between 2018 and 2019, the quiet county of Surrey experienced over 100 small earthquakes, puzzling residents and geologists alike. These tremors, ranging in magnitude from 1.34 to 3.18, caused widespread concern and some structural damage to homes in areas like Newdigate. Reports from locals detailed houses shaking, cracks forming in walls, and even furniture moving … Read more
The United States is one of the leading contributors to global food waste, generating more food waste than all but two countries. This alarming statistic has prompted the federal government to set an ambitious goal: to cut food waste in half by 2030, relative to 2016 levels. The target is to bring per capita food … Read more
An international team of researchers from the University of Freiburg and Stanford University has conducted a groundbreaking study that sheds light on how social and economic disparities impact communities’ ability to protect themselves against wildfires. Focusing on roof renewals—one of the most cost-effective and impactful measures to enhance fire resistance—the study reveals alarming inequalities in … Read more
Los Angeles is ablaze. A relentless phenomenon known as hydroclimate whiplash is emerging as the key factor connecting this destructive reality to climate change. Over the past few years, California has faced dramatic swings between extreme drought and record-breaking rainfall. The winter of 2022–23 stands as a striking example: dozens of atmospheric rivers brought torrential … Read more
Researchers at ETH Zurich have made significant strides in understanding the behavior and distribution of arsenic, a toxic element that poses environmental and health risks. Arsenic, located just below phosphorus in the periodic table, is often mistakenly identified by living organisms as a harmless nutrient due to its chemical resemblance. This characteristic is responsible for … Read more
In recent years, the role of mechanical forces in cellular movement has been a central area of investigation within the field of mechanobiology. The long-standing assumption in cell biology has been that cells require high amounts of force to navigate their environment, overcome resistance, and migrate efficiently. However, a breakthrough study by researchers at the … Read more
Helen Gittos, a professor of medieval history at Oxford University, has recently published an intriguing new theory about the identity of those interred at Sutton Hoo, a renowned burial site near Suffolk, England. In her paper published in English Historical Review, Gittos offers a fresh perspective on the historical and cultural significance of the site, … Read more
In a groundbreaking achievement, a combined team of chemists and nano-scientists from Cornell University has developed an innovative wireless microelectronic device powered by light that can convert a standard well plate into an array of small electrochemical reactors. This advancement, which holds significant promise for the future of organic chemistry, is described in their recent … Read more
The human body has evolved alongside a vast community of microbes that reside in the gut, a relationship that plays a crucial role in the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and the overall functioning of the body. These beneficial microbes, collectively referred to as the microbiota, not only help with breaking down complex foods … Read more
Metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) is a particularly aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of kidney cancer. Traditionally, treatment options for mccRCC have been limited and often less effective, making it a challenging condition for both patients and oncologists. However, the emergence of immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has provided new hope for many mccRCC … Read more