On Sept. 20, 2024, a newspaper in Montana reported an issue with ballots provided to overseas voters registered in the state: Kamala Harris was not on the ballot[1]. Election officials were able to quickly remedy the problem but not before accusations began to spread online[2], primarily among Democrats, that the Republican secretary of state...
Making a Snickers bar is a complex science − a candy engineer explains how to build the airy nougat and chewy caramel of this Halloween favorite
It’s Halloween. You’ve just finished trick-or-treating and it’s time to assess the haul. You likely have a favorite, whether it’s chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, those gummy clusters with Nerds on them or something else.
For some people, including me, one piece stands out – the Snickers bar, especially if it’s full-size. The...
Grow fast, die young? Animals that invest in building high-quality biomaterials may slow aging and increase their lifespans
Fancy, high-quality products such as Rolex watches and Red Wing boots often cost more to make but last longer. This is a principle that manufacturers and customers are familiar with. But while this also applies to biology, scientists rarely discuss it.
Researchers have known for decades that the faster an animal grows, the shorter its...
Vampire bats – look beyond the fangs and blood to see animal friendships and unique adaptations
You can probably picture a vampire: Pale, sharply fanged undead sucker of blood, deterred only by sunlight, religious paraphernalia and garlic. They’re gnarly creatures, often favorite subjects for movies or books. Luckily, they’re only imaginary … or are they?
There are real vampires in the world of bats[1]. Out of over 1,400 currently...