First, let's talk about PFAS. These are chemicals that are used in various products, including Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFFs). AFFFs are made up of complex mixtures and are used to fight fires. They are designed to save lives, but they have a dark side. Firefighters rely on AFFFs to put out
The deepest parts of the ocean are like the last frontier for humans to explore. It is very difficult to get to these places, as it needs special equipment, expertise and money. In 2020, scientists went to the bottom of the Mediterranean. The team used a vehicle called the Limiting Factor and went t
To get this started, imagine the spine and hips as a living bridge during a squat. This is the critical thinking angle we will be looking at. Your hips and back muscles are the essential workers maintaining the balance, supporting the structure during a lift. The fear of hurting ones back d
Have you ever thought about the tiny world living inside a bee's gut? Not bacteria in general, the theory of a particular family of bacteria, Gilliamella. When a bee's diet changes, these bacteria need to adapt to the new landscape of their environment. This isn't easy. As diet fluctuates, their env
Bright light can trigger sneezing in about one in four people. This odd reaction, called the photic sneeze reflex (PSR). We often see this phenomenon on sunny days or when someone steps out of a dark room into the light. The exact reasons behind this reflex are still unknown. Some researchers think
Bamako, a large city in Mali, relies heavily on the mighty Niger River. It is a lifeline that supplies water for economic activities and the daily needs of the city. But, there is a huge problem. It is becoming harder to predict just how much water will be available in the future. The gap between w
The world's water treatment plants churn out a mountain of sewage sludge every day. This stuff is a hassle to manage and dispose of safely because it's messy and expensive. The sun is powerful. A lot of people have been thinking about using it to dry out this sludge. This is the process of using
Started decades ago tattoos have been prevalent in various forms but few people think about why they get one. Remember all those mysterious trends from our great grandparents trying to keep us away from getting a tattoo? . Like when you were young and your family warned you
Recently, a study in Taiwan looked at how tiny bits of metal in the air might affect how many people visit the emergency room for stroke issues. Did you know that PM 2. 5 is a type of air pollution that is tiny and can get deep into your lungs? These small particles can be created by burning fuel
You might hear lots about renewable energy (RE) these days. These are like wind turbines and solar panels. They are really important to fight climate change, but do you know how they affect cities or towns? One way to look at things is with the idea of friendly or unfriendly ground. This is
