NSF unwittingly hired a professor guilty of bullying, highlighting the ‘pass the harasser’ problem
U.S. universities are taking steps to learn more about job candidates without violating privacy".
Metallurgy, Chemicals
See the new Star Wars–like display that could ‘revolutionize’ virtual reality
A new technology offers moving images, sound, and even touch".
EPA’s ‘secret science’ plan is back, and critics say it’s worse
Proposal would allow U.S. regulators to ignore many health studies".
How to make an Arctic ship ‘vanish,’ and how fast-moving spikes are heating the Sun’s atmosphere
On this week’s show: How researchers studying the Arctic contend with contamination from their noisy, smoky, and bright research ship, and how fast-moving spikes on the Sun’s surface may be powering the tremendous heat of the solar atmosphere".
This ‘two-faced’ membrane can create electricity—from nothing but salty water
New membrane acts as one-way path for charged particles".
This tiny wasp-inspired drone can pull 40 times its own weight
The FlyCroTug can also open doors, inspect buildings".
Watch these wooden sponges wick up spilled oil
Reusable sponges can hold more than 40 times their weight in oil".
Children sue the U.S. government over climate change, and how mice inherit their gut microbes
On this week’s show: Children put climate change on trial in U.S. courts, and the surprising fidelity of gut microbes passed down 10 generations".
Neanderthals’ barrel chests might not have been any bigger than ours
But they may have breathed deeper thanks to wide lower ribs".
California’s new earthquake warnings deliver critical seconds of notice
Quakes defy scientists’ attempts to tease out longer, accurate warnings".
How the appendix could hold the keys to Parkinson’s disease, and materials scientists mimic nature
On this week’s show: how removing the appendix might prevent Parkinson’s, and what material scientists are learning from the natural world".
New tracking system could show—at last—how pesticides are harming bee colonies
Experiments with the system suggest neonicotinoids severely disrupt bumble bee social behavior".
Watch tiny robots swim through an eyeball to deliver medicine
Scientist use magnetic field to drive spiral nanobots".
How the people of the Andes evolved to live in high altitudes
DNA analysis suggests genes for heart muscle development, starch digestion played a role".
Ancient DNA confirms Native Americans’ deep roots in North and South America
Trove of ancient samples reveals 11,000 years of unknown genetic history".
Science restored: Eddie Bernice Johnson prepares to chair key panel in U.S. House of Representatives
A Democratic majority means new leadership for a troubled panel".
Reprogrammed cells could tackle brain damage
Turning astrocytes into neurons improves symptoms in preliminary mouse studies".
A big increase in monkey research and an overhaul for the metric system
On this week’s show: Record numbers of monkeys are being used in labs, and the metric system is set to be transformed".
In just 12 days, the world gets half of its annual rainfall
In coming decades, climate change will skew that statistic even further".