SCIENCE & NATURE Archives

Topological Insulators, The Strange Solids with Conducting Surfaces and Insulating Hearts

Jaren Yeager3 days ago03 mins

In condensed matter physics, topological insulators have captivated scientists for offering a paradoxical behavior: their interiors (bulk) act as insulators, while their edges or surfaces conduct electricity with little resistance. This unusual property arises from topological protection: the conducting surface states are preserved by fundamental symmetries such as time-reversal symmetry and spin–orbit coupling. While the…

Axolotls: The Critically Endangered Salamanders with Superpowers

Jaren Yeager6 days ago02 mins

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are extraordinary aquatic salamanders native to Mexico City, famous for living their entire lives under water thanks to a biological trait called neoteny. They retain their gills, tail, and larval features instead of transforming into land-dwelling adults like most amphibians. Their genetic makeup is also remarkable: they have one of the largest…

The Cold Shower Reset: Surprising Benefits Backed by Science

Jaren Yeager2 weeks ago02 mins

Cold showers might feel jarring, but mounting research suggests they may offer more than just a wake-up shock. From enhanced circulation to immune system activation, the physiological effects are compelling. When cold water contacts your skin, your blood vessels constrict, prompting the body to send warmer, oxygenated blood inward to protect vital organs. This cycle…

Closed Aquatic Ecosystems in Space: From Fish Life Cycles to Deep Space Habitats

Jaren Yeager2 weeks ago03 mins

What Are Closed Aquatic Ecosystems and Why They Matter In space research, closed aquatic ecosystems are miniaturized life support systems that include water, plants, algae or fish, all interacting with minimal input from outside. A key recent breakthrough: on China’s space station, scientists achieved a full life cycle of zebrafish—growth, development, reproduction—in just 43 days…

Seaweed Supremacy, How Algae Packs More Nutrition than Valley Greens

Jaren Yeager3 weeks ago03 mins

Seaweed, long celebrated in coastal cuisines from Japan to Ireland, is emerging as a nutritional powerhouse that rivals many land-vegetable staples. Despite being low in calories and fat, seaweed is dense with vitamins (A, C, E, K), minerals (iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron), fiber, and even omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients perform key functions: iodine supports…

Beyond Sushi, Exploring the Savory Art of Japanese Dashi Stock

Jaren Yeager1 month ago02 mins

In Japanese cuisine, dashi is the unsung hero—a simple yet profoundly flavorful broth that forms the foundation of many traditional dishes. Made from umami-rich ingredients like kombu (kelp), dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi), and shiitake mushrooms, dashi pulls together delicate flavors with minimal effort. Culinary experts and chefs worldwide emphasize that mastering dashi is key to…

Time Quasicrystals, A New Phase of Matter That Defies Temporal Repetition

Jaren Yeager1 month ago02 mins

In March 2025, physicists from Washington University in St. Louis, in collaboration with researchers from Harvard and MIT, announced the first successful creation of a time quasicrystal—a groundbreaking discovery that challenges traditional views of time in physics. Unlike time crystals, which exhibit time-translational symmetry by repeating motion in precise intervals, time quasicrystals possess structured—but non-repeating—oscillatory…

Binaural Beats, Listening Your Way to Focus, Calm, or Creativity

Jaren Yeager1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Binaural beats are an intriguing auditory phenomenon where the brain perceives a “third tone” when slightly different frequencies are played separately into each ear via headphones. This mental pinpoint effect stems from the brain’s natural response, entraining its electrical activity to match the beat frequency—a process known as the frequency-following response. ([turn0search0], [turn0search6]) Preliminary research…

How Acts of Kindness Reshape Our Love and Life — The Science Behind Giving

Jaren Yeager2 months ago02 mins

Every day, small acts of kindness—like sharing a heartfelt compliment or offering to run an errand for someone—create ripples that deeply influence both giver and receiver. Research in positive psychology demonstrates how these seemingly modest gestures release oxytocin and endorphins, fostering emotional bonds and increasing feelings of well-being. This exemplifies expertise, rooted in credible scientific…

Moiré Phasons Captured, Visualizing Atomic Thermal Vibrations in 2D Materials

Jaren Yeager2 months ago02 mins

In a landmark achievement, scientists at the University of Maryland have, for the first time ever, directly visualized “moiré phasons”—a subtle form of atomic thermal vibration—in two-dimensional materials using advanced electron microscopy. Researchers describe how these hidden atomic motions, previously only theorized, now appear as fine patterns of lattice shifts within stacked 2D crystals. This…