Good morning. It's Tuesday, Jan. 27, and welcome to this week's Science & Technology newsletter. First time reading? Sign up here or click here to share with friends. |
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Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, one of the most tragic events in the history of spaceflight. We wanted to take some time to explore what happened, what caused it, and what was learned from the accident. Then, we'll break down what we know about quantum computing before sharing our search results from learning about Google.
Let us know what you think! Whether it's feedback on our email format, a comment on this week's topics, suggestions for future coverage, or something else, we're happy to hear from readers. You can get in touch by simply replying to this email.
—Marco Daniel Machado, 1440 Science & Technology Section Editor |
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What happened with Challenger?
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred Jan. 28, 1986, when the shuttle broke apart just 73 seconds after liftoff, leading to the deaths of all seven astronauts aboard (watch live broadcast). Millions of Americans—many of them schoolchildren—watched the launch live because the mission included Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who had been selected to fly in space.
The structural breakdown was caused by the failure of rubber O-rings in the right solid rocket booster. Unusually cold temperatures on the morning of the launch caused the O-rings to stiffen and fail to seal, allowing hot gases to escape and ignite the external fuel tank (watch explainer). Engineers at a NASA contractor warned about this risk before launch, but their concerns were overruled (learn more).
The disaster grounded the shuttle fleet for nearly three years, exposing serious organizational failures within NASA. The subsequent investigation found that the agency had normalized known risks and communication between engineers and leadership had broken down, prompting significant changes to NASA's safety oversight and decision-making culture.
Learn even more by exploring all our findings on the Challenger disaster here.
Here's a sample of what we found ...
> President Reagan postponed the State of the Union after Challenger. (Watch)
> Big Bird was almost included on the Challenger mission. (Watch)
> The lessons Christa McAuliffe would have taught in space. (Watch)
> Take a virtual tour inside the space shuttle. (Explore) |
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Beyond Classical Computers |
Quantum computing, explained
Quantum computers that can be utilized in practical settings are steadily moving closer to becoming a reality. These machines can, in principle, solve problems and perform tasks in seconds that would take classical computers centuries.
Traditional computers store and process information using fundamental units, which can be in either an on (1) or off (0) state. Trillions of units are processed during computing tasks, switching back and forth between these states. On the other hand, a quantum computer's units—called qubits—can be in both states simultaneously. They can also be linked together, enabling more efficient manipulation and processing of these units (watch explainers). However, qubits are incredibly fragile and prone to introducing errors when the simultaneous states break down.
Scientists have employed various techniques to develop functioning quantum computers. The most common approach relies on superconducting qubits—microscopic circuits that behave like artificial atoms—which both Google and IBM have demonstrated. Other approaches utilize photons—particles of light—ions suspended in electric fields, and exotic states of matter known as Majorana particles.
Learn even more by exploring all our findings on quantum computing here.
Here's a sample of what we found ...
> In 2025, the first quantum computer-AI song was commercially released. (Listen)
> Quantum computing poses a threat to online encryption methods. (Read)
> Why quantum computers may be overhyped. (Read)
> Understanding why quantum computers are depicted like chandeliers. (Watch) |
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Search Engine Turned Verb |
Google, 101
Google, the internet search giant founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, has spent more than a quarter-century organizing the vast amounts of information and content found online.
Its story began in a Stanford University dorm room, where the two founders developed an algorithm for sorting and searching information on the web called PageRank. It operated on the theory that the number and quality of links pointing to a webpage would signal that page’s importance and relevance to a user (watch technical explainer). The search engine's quality of results and clean, simple interface proved so successful that the word "Google" entered the common vernacular as a verb.
Google Search, which saw 16.4 billion searches daily in 2025, laid the groundwork for Google's ad business, where personalized ads are included with search results (learn more). Revenue from these ads has helped fund several acquisitions, including YouTube and the Android mobile operating system, as well as the development of products such as Gmail, Google Maps, and the Chrome web browser. They have also transformed Google's parent company, Alphabet, into a $4T company as of 2026.
Learn even more by exploring all our findings on Google here.
Here's a sample of what we found ...
> Google invented the foundational architecture of AI tools. (Listen)
> There are over 50 Easter eggs hidden behind specific Google search terms. (Read)
> The parts of the internet beyond Google's reach. (Listen)
> Play 'Quick, Draw!' to help train Google's neural networks. (Explore) |
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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.
> AI analysis shows oceans now favor floating macroalgae growth
USF College of Marine Science | Dyllan Furness. A study of 1.2 million satellite images found that blooms are expanding worldwide, likely due to changes in ocean temperatures, currents, and nutrient levels. While algae can serve as habitats for many marine species, their decaying biomass can harm humans and wildlife. (Read) | Learn about generative AI by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> Some Type 2 diabetes medications may reduce the risk of dementia
McGill University Newsroom | TK. A study of clinical data from more than 450,000 patients found that two incretin-based therapies commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes—a disease shown to increase the risk of dementia—may provide protective benefits for the brain, with prolonged use exhibiting stronger associations. (Read) | Learn about diabetes by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> Jupiter may harbor 1.5 times more oxygen than the sun
UChicago News | Louise Lerner. An analysis involving the most comprehensive atmospheric model of Jupiter to date—incorporating chemistry and hydrodynamics—revealed the components of the planet's composition. The study also suggests Jupiter favored accretion of carbon-rich material during its early formation. (Read) | Learn about Jupiter by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> Researchers may have uncovered two previously unknown tectonic plates
UC Davis | Andy Fell. Using seismometers in the Pacific Northwest to measure tiny, "low-frequency" earthquakes, scientists confirmed a model that increased the number of plates at the triple junction of the San Andreas Fault from three to five. The new model helps explain unexpected properties of a 1992 earthquake. (Read) | Learn about plate tectonics by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> NASA and European Space Agency satellite data help inform oyster farming
NASA | Emily DeMarco. Temperature data from Landsat—the joint NASA and US Geological Survey mission—combined with European Sentinel-2 satellite estimates of oyster food availability, have been used to predict how quickly eastern oysters reach market size in Maine. Through workshops, researchers are teaching farmers how to interpret temperature and water clarity data to maximize farm yields. (Read) | Learn about NASA by exploring our write-up and findings here. |
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"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them." |
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