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Let’s learn about meteorites
Except for a handful of manned missions to the moon, people have seen celestial bodies only from afar. But sometimes, bits of those far-off space rocks crash onto Earth. We call these rogue bits of space rubble meteorites. And they…
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Bottled water hosts many thousands of nano-sized plastic bits
Tiny plastic bits are everywhere — wafting in the air, riding ocean currents, raining down on plants and swirling in bottled water. The smallest of these — nanoplastics — have been hard for scientists to study. Now, researchers have developed…
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Get ready for the 2024 total solar eclipse
Solar eclipses are dramatic events, as a rule. The moon moves between the Earth and the sun to block out our star. For a few minutes, the world around you will go eerily dark. But the total eclipse coming on…
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To spy this palm’s blooms and fruits, start digging underground
Tall palm trees are a signature of Hollywood Boulevard and tropical resorts. Their relatives, however, can come in very different shapes and sizes. And one new-to-science palm shuns the limelight to an almost absurd degree. This Pinanga subterranea is not…
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Here’s why thousands of octopuses gather at the ‘Octopus Garden’
The world’s largest known group of octopuses can be found in a place called the Octopus Garden. It’s tucked against a seafloor hill off the coast of California. Here, thousands of pearl octopuses (Muusoctopus robustus) gather to breed. Scientists have…
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Scientists Say: Model
Model (noun, “MAH-del”) A model is a representation of how something in the real world works. Scientists use models to ask questions, make predictions, explain phenomena and test our current knowledge. Scientists also use models to share their ideas with…
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Bacterial fossils exhibit earliest hints of photosynthesis
Ancient tiny fossils may hold early signs of a power that shaped the world. That power: photosynthesis. It released oxygen to help shape our atmosphere. Cyanobacteria are one of Earth’s oldest known life forms. They “invented” photosynthesis billions of years…
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Geometry can shape our world in unexpected but useful ways
Have you noticed how oranges are stacked at the store? Grocers know that the most attractive and stable arrangement is a pyramid. Johannes Kepler suspected this pyramid-stacking was superior, way back in the 17th century. But the German scientist also…
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Analyze This: Climate change may worsen the spread of ocean noise
From the rumble of boats to the din of oil drilling, sounds from human activity cascade across the oceans. This noise can bother ocean creatures. And climate change may make some spots even louder. Researchers have expected the oceans to…
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Here’s why blueberries aren’t blue — but appear to be
Roses are red and blueberries look blue. But the berry’s color is not really true. The fruit’s waxy coat just masquerades as blue. A waxy covering coats some blue-colored fruits — such as blueberries, dark grapes and certain plums. This…
