Radioactive Element Ensures Safety in Home Smoke Detectors
Your household smoke detector is slightly radioactive.
Science
ScienceInvisible Glass: an Astonishingly Unsuccessful Innovation
Sir Charles Vernon Boys, a British physicist, accidentally invented invisible glass while trying to create ultra-thin fibers known as 'spun quartz.'
ScienceDiscovering the Unique Aroma: The Science Behind Petrichor
The scent produced when rain falls on dry soil is known as Petrichor. This term was coined in the year 1964.
ScienceUnderstanding the Decoy Effect on Consumer Decision-Making
The phenomenon where consumers tend to have a change in preference between two options when a third, asymmetrically dominated option is presented, is known as the Decoy Effect.
ScienceDiscovering the Mysteries of Supercooled Water Phenomena
Water can remain a liquid below its freezing point in a state known as 'supercooling'.
ScienceThe Decoy Effect: Influencing Choices with a Clever Trick
The Decoy Effect uses a less appealing third option to influence decisions, pushing consumers toward pricier choices by making them seem more attractive.
ScienceUnderstanding the Risks of Spontaneous Combustion in Rags
Oil-soaked rags can spontaneously combust and start a fire.
ScienceThe Fascinating Sound Phenomenon of Rubber Duck Quacks
Rubber duckies, very popular bath toys for kids, have an interesting physics behind their quacking sound.
ScienceTracking Elusive Prime Numbers: The Quest of a Mathematician
The largest known prime number, as of January 2019, was discovered not by a mathematician or scientist but an electrical engineer.
ScienceDeep-Sea Photosynthesis: Illuminating Life in Ocean Depths
Certain species of bacteria found in deep sea hydrothermal vents are capable of a unique form of photosynthesis.
ScienceThe Role of the Sonic Hedgehog Gene in Developmental Biology
The 'Sonic Hedgehog' gene is a protein coding gene in both humans and mice which plays a crucial role in the organization of the brain and body structure during embryonic development.
ScienceUnseen Travelers: Microbes Journeying Across Our World
The bacteria Staphylococcus offers fascinating model systems for interspecies interactions.
ScienceThe Remarkable Discovery of Earth's Natural Nuclear Reactor
Did you know that the Earth once had a naturally occurring nuclear fission reactor?
ScienceCreate Your Own Invisible Ink with Simple Diy Techniques
You can make invisible ink and reveal the text with heat, using common household items like lemon juice and heat.
ScienceBiobanks: The Cold Storage Solution for Biological Samples
Did you know that there are facilities called 'Biobanks' that store a diverse range of biological materials at ultra low temperature for scientific research, conservation, and medical purposes?
ScienceThe Mind-Bending Implications of the Banach-Tarski Paradox
It's a mathematical concept that states you can theoretically take a solid ball, separate it into a finite number of non-overlapping pieces, and use those pieces to construct two solid balls identical to the original.
ScienceIntriguing Mechanics of the Tractor Beam Trap Explained
Scientists have successfully utilized sound waves to develop 'tractor beams', revolutionizing particle manipulation.
ScienceExploring the Exceptional Characteristics of Graphene
Graphene, a one-atom thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, is one of the strongest and lightest materials known to humanity.
ScienceThe True Chemical Composition Behind Pencil 'Lead' Explained
Contrary to what its name implies, a pencil 'lead' contains no lead at all. In fact, it is made from graphite.
ScienceUnveiling Teixobactin: a Breakthrough in Antibiotic Research
Teixobactin is a recently discovered antibiotic, found as a result of an innovative method of culturing bacteria from soil.
ScienceMicrochimerism: Understanding the Existence of Foreign Cells
Microchimerism is a phenomenon where an individual's body harbors cells or genetic material from another individual, typically the mother or a sibling.
ScienceUnderstanding the Hydrogen Permeability Paradox in Materials
Hydrogen, one of the smallest molecules, can permeate many materials, including those that are completely impervious to other gases. This phenomenon is known as Hydrogen Permeability.
ScienceUnexpected Insights: Uncovering New Insulation Properties
Researchers accidentally discovered that high-density form of polyethylene plastic can block out nearly all heat radiation.
ScienceEigengrau: The Color Seen by Eyes in Perfect Darkness
Eigengrau, also known as 'brain gray' or 'dark light', is the color perceived by the human eye in total darkness.