Science & Technology

Zapping sand to create rock could help curb coastal erosion

Shorelines worldwide have always been vulnerable to coastal erosion, a phenomenon rendered more ominous by rising sea levels that accompany…

Expanding antibiotic treatment in sub-Saharan Africa could save kids’ lives

In some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 10 percent of children die before they turn 5 years old (SN: 8/3/22);…

The world’s fastest microscope makes its debut

The motion of whizzing electrons has been captured like never before. Researchers have developed a laser-based microscope that snaps images…

‘Turning to Stone’ paints rocks as storytellers and mentors

Turning to StoneMarcia BjornerudFlatiron Books, $28.99 Marcia Bjornerud sits in the basement of a soon-to-be-demolished building at Lawrence University in…

The historic ‘Wow!’ signal may finally have a source. Sorry, it’s not aliens

One of the most compelling potential signs of extraterrestrial communication might have an astrophysical explanation. Called the “Wow!” signal, the…

The nearest midsized black hole might instead be a horde of lightweights

Contrary to a previous report, there’s no evidence of an intermediate-mass black hole in Omega Centauri, the Milky Way’s most…

This spider makes its home in the burrows of extinct giant ground sloths

Deep in the unyielding darkness of a Brazilian cave, a pale, blind, spiny beast carefully feels its way across rust-colored…

This spider uses trapped fireflies to lure in more prey

Sometimes fireflies shouldn’t follow the light.   A single flash from a female usually helps male Abscondita terminalis fireflies find…

The world’s record-breaking hot streak has lasted 14 months. When will it end?

In its latest global climate report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that July was the 14th straight month…

Old books can have unsafe levels of chromium, but readers’ risk is low

Old books can be beautiful to look at. But handle with care — they just might be toxic. The covers…