ICESat-2, a satellite launched in 2018, has just hit a huge milestone. It has fired 2 trillion laser pulses from space. This satellite is equipped with a super-accurate laser system called ATLAS. ATLAS has been busy measuring the height of ice sheets, glaciers, forests, and even the ocean floor. Th
When dealing with groundwater contamination, figuring out how far and wide the bad stuff has spread is a big job. Engineers have a tough time deciding how many wells to monitor. They need lots of data and powerful computers to map out the spread of contaminants, called plumes. But there's a simpler
Putin has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but there's a catch. He wants to use this pause to push for a permanent peace deal that addresses what he calls the "root causes" of the conflict. This could mean big changes for Ukraine's borders, as Putin has been claiming parts of Ukraine belong
Mitochondrial diseases are tricky. They are caused by faulty genes in the tiny powerhouses of our cells, called mitochondria. These diseases can be passed from mothers to their children, making family planning a complex issue. The way these faulty genes mix with healthy ones, called heteroplasmy, pl
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer that is notoriously tough to treat. Doctors have been experimenting with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to fight this disease. However, these drugs can sometimes make the cancer grow faster, a condition known as hyperprogressive disease (
NASA has just launched an exciting new mission to keep an eye on the Sun's behavior. This mission, called PUNCH, uses four small satellites working together. These satellites give us a 3D view of the Sun's outer layer, known as the corona. This is a big deal because it helps us understand and predic
A recent shakeup at the Washington Post has left many wondering about the future of opinion writing. The changes started when Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner, announced a new focus for the opinion section. The new direction centers around two main ideas: personal liberties and free markets. This s
Schools are using AI to monitor students' online activities on school-issued devices. This is done to keep students safe, but it raises serious questions about privacy and security. Students use these devices for more than just schoolwork; they also cope with personal struggles like depression, hear
In the realm of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tops the list as the most frequent malignant tumor in white populations. This type of cancer is driven by the abnormal activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. The good news is that this pathway can be blocked, offering a promising target
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) face a constant battle against contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). These are chemicals that we use every day in things like medicine, cosmetics, and household products. They end up in our wastewater. They can be tricky to spot, especially the highly polar a
