Science
Levi's new Project F.L.X. uses lasers to distress jeans, reducing production steps from 18 to 3 and halving design time. The system also cuts hazardous chemical use, aligning with the company's sustainability goals, while raising questions about worker retraining.
Science
Researchers have identified a massive, centuries-old coral in a remote section of the Great Barrier Reef, which has survived dozens of bleaching events and cyclones. Its exceptional health could provide insights into reef resilience amid climate change.
Science
Two independent research teams have unveiled new techniques to measure and control phonons—quantum particles of sound—potentially enabling quantum information storage. One method uses light pulses to manipulate single phonons, while the other employs a simple electromechanical device to achieve quantum-level control, overcoming prior fabrication challenges.
Science
A New York Times investigation reveals that the surge in U.S. avocado demand has led to the clearing of over 25,000 acres of forest in Mexico's Michoacán state, with criminal gangs and corrupt officials facilitating illegal orchards. The trade, worth $2.7 billion annually, is linked to water theft, soil degradation, and violence against local activists.
Science
Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods publicly cautioned President-elect Donald Trump against withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, warning it would weaken global efforts to curb emissions. His remarks, made at the COP summit in Azerbaijan, underscore the oil giant's concern over policy instability and its own investments in green alternatives.
Science
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the continental United States for the first time in nearly a century. NASA and Facebook will provide a live stream starting at noon EDT, ensuring everyone can witness the event safely. Experts predict it will be the most shared astronomical event in history.
Science
A study of a meteorite fragment that fell in Sudan suggests a dwarf-planet-sized body once orbited the Sun. The presence of rare amphibole crystals indicates a large, water-rich parent body that no longer exists. The findings add to evidence that the early solar system was more diverse than previously thought.
Science
A potential fire at Michigan's Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant triggered an NRC alert, though no flames were found. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns, including an out-of-service fire protection system and a history of violations, as well as broader questions about the state's aging nuclear infrastructure.
Science
Chinese researchers at the EAST tokamak, dubbed 'artificial sun,' achieved plasma densities exceeding the Greenwald limit, a milestone in fusion research. The breakthrough, published in Science Advances, could pave the way for sustainable fusion power plants.
Science
A 0.6-mile outdoor escalator in Wushan, China, has opened to the public, offering a 21-minute ride that climbs a steep hillside. The system, which comprises two dozen escalators and lifts, serves about 9,000 daily riders and is hailed as a unique engineering achievement.
Science
A new Oxfam analysis reveals the world's richest 1% have already used up their fair share of the annual carbon budget just 10 days into the year. The report links their emissions to an estimated 1.3 million heat-related deaths by 2100 and calls for urgent policy action.
Science
The Trump administration's fiscal 2018 budget outline proposes deep cuts to federal science agencies, including a 20% reduction for the NIH and elimination of ARPA-E. Researchers and former agency leaders warn the cuts could undermine U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and compromise public safety. The plan also redirects funds to boost military spending.
Science
A new perspective suggests dark energy, which drives the universe's accelerating expansion, might be detectable in the vast empty spaces between galaxy clusters. Astrophysicist Paul Sutter argues that these cosmic voids, formed in the early universe, could be the very regions where dark energy's influence is most visible. Focusing observations on these voids may offer a clearer path to understanding the elusive force.
Science
Afineur, a biotech startup founded by two PhDs, uses microbial fermentation to recreate the flavor of kopi luwak coffee without animal digestion. Their first product, a fermented peaberry coffee from Guatemala, is now available on Kickstarter at a fraction of the price of the original.
