Light, Brain Implants, and the Internet's Precursor

Light, explained

Light is a type of energy that communicates information about the world. When this energy is emitted or reflected by objects, it can be collected—as occurs in the human retina—and processed to make observations, identify surroundings, and produce data. This has enabled humans to develop scientific models for a broad range of phenomena, which have been used to explain nature and create nearly every piece of technology in existence.

Historically, observations of light bouncing off mirror-like surfaces suggested it was composed of a stream of particles—later called photons—while its ability to bend and spread around obstacles indicated it was instead a wave. The development of theories in electromagnetism and quantum physics reframed light as exhibiting properties of both waves and particles, known as the wave-particle duality. The variety of optical characteristics in different types of light (e.g., color) results from variations in the properties of waves and photons, such as frequency and energy.

The continuum of all electromagnetic radiation across these variations is known as the electromagnetic spectrum, which consists of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays (see visualization). All electromagnetic radiation travels at 299,792,458 meters per second—one of the fundamental constants of the universe—in the absence of matter (watch in slow motion). However, differences in the properties of these bands make each useful for distinct applications, including fiber optics, holograms, telecommunications, food preparation, sterilization, medical imaging, and radiosurgery.

Also, check out ... 

> Photons do not experience distance or the passage of time. (Watch)

> Light waves can interfere and cancel each other out. (Watch)

> How light can be used to push spacecraft across space. (Watch)

> Why is the sky blue and a sunset red? (Watch)

Explore everything else we've found on light.

What are brain implants?

Brain-computer interfaces, also known as neural interfaces, are bridges that connect the brain to external devices. These neuroprostheses record and transmit neuronal activity to external devices, such as computers or prosthetic devices (watch example). The external devices then translate the activity into digital output, improving over time as machine learning allows it to create a dictionary of neural activity and the patient's intended outcome.

BCIs can also send information into or stimulate the brain via a process known as deep-brain stimulation. The technology can send brain signals past neurons damaged by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, or electrically stimulate neurons to mitigate mental health conditions, including OCD and treatment-resistant depression.

Outside of the immediate medical risks of surgery and infection, there may also be long-term and yet-to-be-determined BCI-related side effects. Additionally, there is a risk that implants may be discontinued, technology may lose support, and implant manufacturers and developers may go out of business (learn more).

Also, check out ... 

> The first neural devices were cochlear implants. (Watch)

> Brain implants can help colorblind individuals perceive color. (Watch)

> How researchers train computers to read brain waves. (Watch)

> Explore an interactive 3D model of the brain. (Browse)

Explore everything else we've found on brain implants. 

Turbulence, 101

Turbulence is the irregular motion of fluid—a liquid or a gas—characterized by the presence of eddies, or spirals, in a wide range of sizes. Unlike laminar flow, where all parts of the fluid move together smoothly and consistently, turbulent flow sees the paths taken by individual fluid particles—called streamlines—combine, separate, and mix unpredictably (see visualization).

Most often associated with jolty aircraft movement, turbulence occurs when fluid particles' inertia—their tendency to maintain their motion—can no longer be suppressed by the fluid's viscosity—the resistance to flow generated by internal friction. When this occurs, the paths taken by individual fluid particles form eddies, which gradually split and dissipate a fluid's energy as heat (watch visualization). Every system has a unique layout of eddies and dissipation progression, making turbulence mathematically chaotic (learn more).

Because every system has a unique layout of eddies and dissipation, accurately modeling turbulence, which is found in phenomena such as blood flow, weather patterns, energy generation systems, and ocean currents, may be impossible and is currently tied to a $1M prize.

Also, check out ... 

> During World War II, turbulence was used to make ice cream. (Watch)

> Vincent Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" accurately depicts turbulent flow. (View)

> How turbulence can also help keep planes—and golf balls—in the air. (Watch)

> Simulating the effect of turbulence on star formation. (Read)

Explore everything else we've found on turbulence. 

Science Spotlight

Like all great scientists, we love spending time researching the latest scientific breakthroughs, tech releases, engaging explainers, and the connections between science and society that are making headlines. Here's what we found this week.

> Viruses on microplastics may accelerate antibiotic resistance

Discover Magazine | Stephanie Edwards. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered that plastic-associated biofilms facilitate the more frequent genetic transfer of drug-resistant genes and pathogens by providing a long-lasting, stable surface where virus-infected microbes can densely accumulate. (Read)

> Fires may produce 21% more organic compound emissions than expected 

American Chemical Society | Staff. A new study increases prior estimates of the carbon-based molecules emitted during wildfires and prescribed burns by incorporating partially volatile compounds that are often overlooked. These chemicals can form fine particles that can be harmful if breathed in. (Read)

> A balloon experiment in search of dark matter

Columbia University | Staff. The General Antiparticle Spectrometer flies 22 miles above the surface of Antarctica and looks for low-energy antinuclei, such as the antimatter version of heavy hydrogen. Detection would support some dark matter models that predict the formation of anti-deuteron via annihilation. (Read)

> The AI tool finding drugs for heart disease

MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences | Emily Armstrong. By integrating AI, heart-imaging data, and information from biological databases, researchers in the UK developed CardioKG to predict gene-disease associations and opportunities for drug repurposing. The technology may also work for other organs and diseases. (Read)

> Light: See maps of the Milky Way across all wavelengths of light. (View)

Best of the Week

We curate hundreds of resources into 1440 Topics each week. Here are some of our favorites from the world of science and technology.

Read:

> How a spindly weed began the era of molecular botany.

> Why do we have baby teeth and adult teeth?
> The history of ARPANET, the precursor to the internet.
> Nuclear-powered missiles, explained.

> Building lasers out of peanuts and birch leaves.

Watch:

> Does water that has no room to expand still freeze?

> The origins of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

> Exploring the thermal chemistry of bath bombs.

> The physics at the heart of neural networks. 

> Measuring the technological advancement of human civilization.

Thank you to Paula F. and Dave L. for inspiring us with their questions! Curious about something in science and technology? Tell us here.

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