The Van Allen Belts are donut-shaped rings of radioactive particles that encircle the Earth. They can damage satellites and pose a bit of a risk for human astronauts who venture outside our planet's protective magnetic field and into the regions of the belts. Back in high school, you probably learned that there were two of them. But, it turns out, under certain situations, this planet actually has three Van Allen Belts. The story about this at Nature News, written by , is a joy to read. You really get a sense of how totally scientists' minds were blown by this discovery.
Everything you thought you knew is wrong
The legend of 3M's invisible electrostatic wall
Giant polypropylene rollers at the 3M factory generated so much static electricity that it formed a strange "invisible wall" that would alarm and impede employees there. William Beatty, citing David… READ THE REST
Can this robotic exoskeleton help pianists break their training ceiling?
Anyone who has played a sport or musical instrument has experienced the dreaded plateau, or "ceiling effect," when they cannot progress further. A study published in Science Robotics has found… READ THE REST
Microwaving grapes not just a party trick
Putting two grapes, or a single grape almost cut in half, in a microwave creates a spectacular show. The electromagnetic field in the middle makes a burst of fiery plasma.… READ THE REST
Goodbye TikTok, hello brainscrolling
TL;DR: Stop wasting time scrolling and start learning—Pearls Premium gives you lifetime access to bite-sized, 15-minute summaries of bestsellers for just $29.99. TikTok might get banned, and while it may feel… READ THE REST
Find the perfect color match every time with this handy dandy sensor
TL;DR: Match any color like a pro with the Nix Mini 3 — the go-to gadget for $69.97 until February 9. Ever stared at a wall and wondered, What shade of blue… READ THE REST
Who needs daylight? This night-vision device has you covered
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