Fortunately, scientists and journalists are continually exposing the true depths of our planet and beyond. Through their work, they reveal complicated connections and obstacles that create our built world and drive our economy. Amongst these recent advances is the thrilling research being conducted around dark comets. Researchers are studying how one mite’s lethal effect has decimated honeybee colonies and how hypochlorous acid could work as a powerful disinfectant. Mathematicians hold conversations on aesthetic forms, luring the reader into breathtaking shapes.
Dark comets, sometimes referred to in the field using the colorful nicknames “innies” and “outies,” are a surprising yet fascinating reality of our solar system. The busted “innies” are just shadows of their gonzo pasts as “outies,” even flickering back into shape as the forces of fate reshaped their hoes. These comet-like bodies break down into two families, with each exhibiting unique features that fascinate astronomers and researchers alike.
Meanwhile, in the South Pacific off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG), behemoth machines are engaged in underwater mining operations. These terrifying machines spear their grim metallic arms into the seafloor to harvest metals and minerals largely coveted for their use in electronics. This mining operation is key to the local economy, supplying high-quality specialty sands to agriculture, oil and gas, and concrete applications.
Filmmaker and journalist Willem Marx takes us inside this controversial deep-sea mining mission. He draws attention to its economic importance and raises the alarm about its potential environmental devastation. As these operations expand, it becomes more difficult to ignore troubling implications related to sustainability and economic vs. ecological priorities.
The tropilaelaps mite is a serious new worldwide threat to honeybee populations. This major ecological crisis is taking its toll on bees in Asia and Europe. This little-known parasite has been ravaging bee colonies, threatening agricultural crops that rely on honeybee pollination to the brink of extinction. If we as beekeepers and scientists do not gain the upper hand on this mite, prepare for dire results. Produce, beef and dairy prices may soar globally.
The urgency about this issue is clear among agricultural scientists. And without honeybees, we would run very low on many of our essential food staples. This would inflate prices and make these foods even less accessible to consumers.
These deep-seated challenges are not without cutting-edge remedies, though. Across disciplines, adaptation is parallel to forward climate action. Hypochlorous acid is a nontoxic disinfectant that is starting to turn heads. At these lower concentrations, it is 100 times more powerful than bleach! Senior features editor Jen Schwartz examines whether this weak acid could help mitigate threats posed by pathogens such as bird flu and norovirus.
“My favorite shape is the loop, a circle with all geometric information stripped away, leaving only a free-form one-dimensional object.” – Rachel Crowell
Join science and math luminaries as we explore the fascinating world of geometry. There they find practical applications long sought after and a profound aesthetic appreciation of one’s work. A hyperbolic pair of pants is described as a geometric gem, while the permutahedron has been characterized as “the site of a beautiful, productive dialogue among geometry, algebra, and combinatorics.”
Join mathematicians as they tell you about their favorite shapes, from the triangle to the circle to the trapezoid! In doing so, they honor the beauty and intricacy of these curvaceous forms. They argue that math is more than a series of numbers, it is beauty.
“The site of a beautiful, productive dialogue among geometry, algebra and combinatorics.” – No specific author mentioned
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