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Yearly Archives: 2020
Researchers find a way to harness the entire spectrum of sunlight
Scientists for the first time have developed a single molecule that can absorb sunlight efficiently and also act as a catalyst to transform solar...
Insecticides becoming more toxic to honey bees
During the past 20 years, insecticides applied to U.S. agricultural landscapes have become significantly more toxic—over 120-fold in some midwestern states—to honey bees when...
First detailed electronic study of new nickelate superconductor
The discovery last year of the first nickel oxide material that shows clear signs of superconductivity set off a race by scientists around the...
Study uses physics to explain democratic elections
It may seem surprising, but theories and formulas derived from physics turn out to be useful tools for understanding the ways democratic elections work,...
Preparing land for palm oil causes most climate damage
New research has found preparing land for palm oil plantations and the growth of young plants causes significantly more damage to the environment, emitting...
Emissions of potent greenhouse gas rises, contradicting reports of huge reductions
Despite reports that global emissions of the potent greenhouse gas hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) were almost eliminated in 2017, an international team of scientists, led by...
Astronomers use ‘cosmic echolocation’ to map black hole surroundings
Material falling into a black hole casts X-rays out into space—and now astronomers have used the echoes of this radiation to map the dynamic...
Physics shows that imperfections make perfect
Northwestern University researchers have added a new dimension to the importance of diversity.
For the first time, physicists have experimentally demonstrated that certain systems with...
Tipping mechanisms could spark societal change toward climate stabilization
Limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees C requires a decarbonized world by 2050 at the latest, and a corresponding global transformation of...
New research provides evidence of strong early magnetic field around Earth
Deep within Earth, swirling liquid iron generates our planet's protective magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is vital for life on Earth's...
Record-breaking terahertz laser beam
Terahertz radiation is used for security checks at airports, for medical examinations and also for quality checks in industry. However, radiation in the terahertz...
