The world is buzzing once again with supposed evidence of alien life. While under oath, Jaime Mausson presented two bodies he claims are of extraterrestrial origin to the Mexican Congress. However, experts are skeptical of his findings, claiming they have no real scientific basis. This case brings to question the role of bias in scientific research and how the resulting spread of misinformation can cross the line into becoming harmful.
View More The Role of Bias in Scientific Research
Christopher Nolan’s latest film Oppenheimer has once again brought the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb to the forefront of the news. The development of the atomic bomb was a series of discoveries in the field of quantum physics that were driven by the historical events surrounding them. The movie opens a discussion of how morality plays a role in scientific advancement and at what point people are willing to disregard morality for what they believe to be the greater good.
View More The Science Behind Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer
The tragic loss of the Titan and its passengers has been rippling through the news. The wreckage of the submersible was recovered five days after its initial departure, and the debris suggests the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion. Concerns over the safety of the Titan have been raised over the past few years, and ultimately, several ethical failures resulted in the loss of the lives of its passengers. This event is unfortunately reminiscent of the Challenger disaster, and showcases how ethical considerations in engineering must be made at every level of a company.
View More The Loss of Titan and Remembering Challenger
In recent decades, insufficient sleep has become a more prevalent health concern. Due to new inventions in technology such as artificial light, the work day has gotten progressively longer and longer. Rather than supporting the body’s circadian rhythm, people rely on caffeine and melatonin to get through the day. College students in particular are at a much higher health risk of sleep deprivation, and new “wakefulness pills” are being abused in place of energy drinks and coffee. However, all of these aids to help relieve the effects of sleep deprivation do not actually target the root of the issue: getting adequate sleep.
View More How Technology Affects Sleep Deprivation
Already in 2023 California has experienced extreme rainfall that has significantly reduced the drought conditions in the state. This wet winter has also led to superblooms, a phenomenon in which wildflowers are able to cover vast fields due to the ground retaining moisture from the excessive rainfall. However, this level of rainfall has also led to extensive damage and flooding, and even the beautiful wildflowers pose an increased risk of wildfires once they dry out. Both these benefits and long term issues can be traced back to climate change, with the warming of the planet leading to a significant increase in the risk of a California megaflood.
View More The Influence of Climate Change on the Pros and Cons of California’s Wet Season
Despite advancements in medical technology over the past 30 years, an ethnic and racial disparity still exists in healthcare. In particular, maternal mortality rates show high regional dependencies, and in the United States, Black women are more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women. Engineering students are working on solutions to combat this problem and provide more support for mothers.
View More The Importance of Inclusivity in Medicine in the Case of Maternal Mortality
Kerbal Space Program 2 has just been released, and the scientific community is beyond thrilled. The original Kerbal Space Program is a beloved video game that encourages players to learn rocket science through a complex and realistic physics engine. It tackles a unique design challenge of being educational and fun and has suggested the value of enjoyment as the most necessary aspect of learning.
View More Why Educational Game Design Matters
The extinction of any species causes irreversible damage to the ecosystems they once inhabited. Now, scientists are seeking ways of reversing that damage by bringing back extinct species through genetic engineering. This has sparked a debate on whether these efforts are genuine attempts at wildlife conservation, or a naïve business venture that pulls resources from the species that need help in the present.
View More Reviving Extinct Species: Science Fact or Fiction?
In the world of academia, there has always been an intense pressure to publish papers in the hopes of improving one’s curriculum vitae (CV) or career aspirations. However, in the case of most top journals, publishers do not pay authors for their work, and their papers are subsequently hidden behind a paid subscription to the journal. In open-source publication, authors must pay thousands of dollars for their work to be available for free for others. Though this standard creates significant financial barriers in academia, it has been slow to change.
View More The Pressure to Publish for Ph.D. Students
In recent years there has been an increased interest in toys that are designed to enhance children’s cognitive development. The goal of these toys is to encourage scientific curiosity outside of the classroom; however, the benefits of STEM toys over other forms of play are debatable. Additionally, the increased pressure from parents to push their children into STEM fields may do them more harm than good in the long run.
View More The Impact of STEM From Childhood Toys to Adult Careers