Facts of the Matter: Minuscule tardigrades show amazing resilience
Tardigrades boast an impressive tolerance for radiation. In lab experiments, they have been subjected to doses of ionizing radiation that would be lethal to humans. Read more
Facts of the Matter
Richard Brill is a retired professor of science at Honolulu Community College. His column runs on the first and third Fridays of the month.
Facts of the Matter: Snowball Earth hypothesis: A planet frozen in time
Imagine the entire Earth locked in a deep freeze, covered in ice from the poles to the equator. This is the essence of the Snowball Earth hypothesis, a theory that suggests our planet may have been entirely or nearly entirely frozen over multiple times in its ancient past. It’s an idea that sounds like science fiction, but there is strong evidence to back it up. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Magnetars: Most powerful magnets in the universe
In the expanse of space, where stars burn and galaxies collide, there exists a type of star so strange and powerful that it challenges our understanding of the universe. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Anesthesia affects nerves and brain signal of patient
Anesthesia plays a vital role in modern medicine, allowing patients to undergo surgery and medical procedures pain-free and with minimal discomfort. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Water’s ability to transform makes it a notable substance
Ice: merely solid water, but a wonder substance. Water itself is a miraculous substance, possessing a host of unusual properties, not the least of which is its ability to remain liquid over the range of temperatures and air pressures that occur on planet Earth. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Quantum tunneling is key to technology, life on Earth
Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where particles can move through a barrier that, according to classical physics, they shouldn’t be able to penetrate. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Superconductivity: Behind the perfect conductor
Superconductivity is a state in which a material can conduct electricity without resistance. Normally, when electricity flows through a wire, some of it is lost as heat due to resistance. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Pauli exclusion principle key to stability of matter
In the world of quantum mechanics, particles behave in ways that can seem almost magical. One of the most fascinating rules governing this realm is the Pauli exclusion principle. Read more
Facts of the Matter: There are many ways to tap brain’s web of information
Everybody has a brain, and nobody knows how it works, although neuroscience researchers are finding some surprising aspects about how we think. Read more
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Facts of the Matter: Researchers are solving mysteries of epigenetics
A groundbreaking field has emerged that challenges our understanding of genetics and the intricate dance between nature and nurture. Epigenetics, a term coined in the 1940s, has evolved into a vibrant area of research, unveiling the enigmatic relationship between our genes and our environment. Read more
Facts of the Matter: The mysterious world of quantum smell challenges our conventional senses
In the realm of quantum physics, where the laws of classical physics break down and small particles misbehave, a new and intriguing concept has emerged: quantum smell. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Hypothesis links language to our thought processes
In the intricate tapestry of human society, language and culture stand as pillars that shape our perceptions, influencing how we view the world around us. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Longitude Prize instigated creation of navigation tools
In the annals of maritime history, the quest for determining longitude at sea was a long- standing challenge that captivated the minds of sailors, scientists and governments alike. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Siberian Traps provide pertinent lessons today
In the vast expanse of Siberia lies a geological wonder that has puzzled scientists for decades — the Siberian Traps. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Delving into quantum spin can lead to new technologies
In the realm of quantum physics, a fascinating phenomenon known as quantum spin plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of subatomic particles. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Ancient manuscript still an undeciphered mystery
The Voynich Manuscript, a cryptic and enigmatic text shrouded in mystery, has baffled scholars, cryptographers and historians for centuries. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Idea of infinity fascinates philosophers, thinkers and mathematicians
Infinity, by definition, is the idea of something that is endless or without boundaries. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Scientists still stymied by matter-antimatter asymmetry conundrum
The concept of matter-antimatter asymmetry has captivated the scientific community for decades. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Latitude helps determine how we see sunrise, sunset
A word from Captain Obvious: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Gemstones’ color relies on interaction with light
Some minerals have color because of what they do to light that passes through them or reflects from their surfaces. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Earth’s timeline is marked by several mass extinctions
When speaking of mass extinctions, we evoke a seriousness that transcends anything that we have experienced in human history. Read more
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