Science is more than just numbers. Yet, many people judge the value of scientific work by a single figure: the impact factor. This number rates journals, but it doesn't tell the whole story. It's like judging a book by its cover. It's time to think critically about what really matters in science. A
The European catfish, a massive freshwater fish from Eurasia, has quietly taken over parts of Spain. It first arrived in the Ebro River in 1974. People brought it there for fun fishing. But now, it's in seven big river systems. It's a problem because it's not from here. It spreads fast and takes ove
Super Scoopers are like the superheroes of firefighting planes. They are not the biggest or the flashiest, but they have a superpower: they can refill their water tanks in just 12 seconds by landing on any large body of water. These planes are not your average seaplanes. They are built specifically
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel Island is back and better than ever after a long rebuild following Hurricane Ian. This place is now packed with way more shells than before, showing off thousands of specimens from all over, including right here in Southwest Florida. S
In August 2024, a PFAS-containing firefighting foam spill at Brunswick Executive Airport caused quite a stir. Many public figures jumped to conclusions, blaming the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) for negligence. However, the facts tell a different story. The MRRA has been working
Iowa's tree cover has taken a big hit. It's gone from 20% to just 4% in Central Iowa. Storms, bugs, and building have taken their toll. But there's hope. The One Million Trees Central Iowa Initiative wants to change this. Trees do more than look pretty. They clean the air, cool the streets, and eve
Viruses are everywhere. They are the most common living things on our planet. Yet, we know very little about them. A new project called VIRE is changing that. It is like a big map of viruses from all over the world. This map includes over 1. 7 million viral genomes. These genomes come from more than
Scientists are now looking at the big picture of health. They are not just focusing on genes. Instead, they are studying everything around us that might cause disease. This new area is called exposomics. It is like a map of all the things we come into contact with in our lives. Most diseases are no
Lithium-ion batteries are powering our green energy future, but there's a hidden cost. Every year, China alone produces over 10 million tons of lithium slag (LS) from smelting lithium mica. While we focus on extracting lithium, we're ignoring the environmental risks posed by other harmful substances
A major change is coming to Pittsburgh’s North Side. Next week, a $740 million project will start turning an old, empty parking lot into a lively entertainment area. The ceremony kicks off at 1 p. m. on Monday and will last until 3 p. m. at 929 Beaver Ave. in the Chateau neighborhood. The project,
