Good morning. It's Tuesday, Feb. 24, and welcome to this week's Science & Technology newsletter. First time reading? Sign up here or click here to share with friends. |
|
|
|
While there is no official tornado season in the US—different regions experience increased tornadic potential at different times of year—March often brings an uptick in this form of extreme weather in many parts of the country. To best prepare, we're exploring this powerful weather phenomenon this week. Then, we'll turn our attention to two other environmental threats: invasive species and asteroids.
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 |
|
|
|
Tornadoes, explained
Tornadoes are columns of rotating air that extend from the base of a storm cloud to the ground. Also known as twisters, this type of extreme weather can cause devastating structural damage by producing strong winds, sometimes in excess of 500 kilometers (310 miles) per hour. In 2024, they were responsible for approximately $1.7B in damage and 54 deaths in the US, which experiences the most tornadoes of any nation (learn why).
Current models suggest tornadoes form due to wind shear, where winds rapidly change speed and direction with height. Air caught in this wind shear can circulate horizontally, like a rolling pin, forming a tube of air (see visualization). If it encounters a supercell—a thunderstorm with strong upward airflow—the tube can be tilted vertically and stretched, causing it to narrow and rotate faster. The resulting structure—a funnel cloud—becomes a tornado once it makes contact with the ground (watch in real time).
Tornadoes are categorized on the Enhanced Fujita scale after damage is assessed across 28 types of structures (e.g., trees, homes). About 77% of tornadoes are considered "weak" on this scale (EF-0 or EF-1), despite producing gusts as strong as 177 kilometers (110 miles) per hour (view the most deadly).
Learn even more by exploring all our findings on tornadoes here.
Here's a sample of what we found ...
> Within an 18-hour period in 1974, 13 states were hit by 148 tornadoes. (Listen)
> The first known instance of a fire tornado occurred in 2003. (View)
> Like hurricanes, why can't we know tornadoes are coming days in advance? (Listen)
> See tips from the American Red Cross on preparing for a tornado. (View) |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with FinanceBuzz |
|
Tackle Credit Card Debt With 0% Apr Til 2027 |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
Invasive species, 101
Invasive species are organisms not native to a region that are introduced and harm the local ecosystem. Their populations in new environments often grow exponentially due to a lack of natural predators. This allows them to outcompete native organisms for resources, disrupting food webs, altering natural habitats and nutrient cycles, and reducing biodiversity (view examples).
While many species have naturally migrated to new regions over time due to various factors (e.g., droughts), invasive species only account for about 1% of non-native organisms. However, humans have deliberately and accidentally accelerated the rate of invasive species introductions through trade and travel (learn more). This has led to invasive species causing $423B in damage globally each year and contributing to 60% of recorded plant and animal extinctions (learn more).
Preventive measures, such as trade restrictions and border inspections, have helped lower the instances of invasive species. The National Invasive Species Council and its international counterparts also work to control the spread of invasive species and reverse their impacts.
Learn even more by exploring all our findings on invasive species here.
Here's a sample of what we found ...
> Invasive species are the third-biggest threat to Earth's biodiversity. (View)
> Feral and free-range cats rank among the most harmful invasive species. (Watch)
> How some groups profit from invasive species. (Watch)
> See the steps you can take to prevent spreading invasive species. (View) |
|
|
|
|
What are asteroids?
Asteroids are small, rocky bodies left over from the early formation of the solar system. More than 1 million asteroids orbit the sun—primarily in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter—ranging in size from bus-length to hundreds of miles in diameter. Astronomers catalog and study these objects to identify threats to Earth and better understand the solar system's history (explore interactive).
The search for asteroids began somewhat accidentally at the turn of the 19th century, when a group of scientists calling themselves the "Celestial Police" began searching for a suspected missing planet between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. After Giuseppe Piazzi independently discovered Ceres, various members discovered three smaller celestial bodies: Pallas, Juno, and Vesta. All four were initially described as planets, but subsequent discoveries of smaller bodies prompted a new classification term: asteroids (learn why).
NASA's NEO Observations Program has detected over 40,000 near-Earth asteroids—those orbiting within 30 million miles of Earth (see infographic). NASA has identified 95% of near-Earth asteroids over 0.6 miles in length, which are capable of causing global extinction events, though it continues to work toward identifying at least 90% of smaller, city-killing asteroids.
Learn even more by exploring all our findings on asteroids here.
Here's a sample of what we found ...
> A large enough asteroid impact could boil the Earth's oceans. (Watch)
> Molecules critical for life have been found on asteroids. (Listen)
> How NASA successfully deflected an asteroid. (Watch)
> Simulating different-sized asteroid impacts on Earth. (Watch) |
|
|
|
|
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.
> Producing complex electrical machines via 3D printing
MIT News | Adam Zewe. Researchers have developed a system that produces a fully 3D-printed electric linear motor in a matter of hours using multiple functional materials, including electrically conductive and magnetic materials. The system saves time by removing the need to use parts from distributors hundreds of miles away. (Read) | Learn about 3D printing by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> Developing GPS on Mars for Perseverance
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Melissa Pamer and Karen Fox. For five years, the rover has needed operators on Earth to communicate its location. Now, with the Mars Global Localization system, an algorithm rapidly compares panoramic images from the rover’s navigation cameras with onboard orbital terrain maps to ascertain its location. (Watch) | Learn about Mars by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> Enhancing wind turbine power generation with shared platforms
University of Surrey | Staff. An analysis of hybrid offshore renewable energy harvest systems identified a 70% increase in generated energy when tidal turbines were added to wind installations. They also improved offshore wind turbine structural stability by reducing unwanted platform motion by 15%. (Read) | Learn about wind power by exploring our write-up and findings here.
> Identifying optimal artificial habitat design to restore oyster reefs
The Lighthouse | Stephen Downes. A team led by Macquarie University engineered 16 concrete "tiles" with different numbers and heights of ridges that replicated the range of complexity seen in natural reefs. They found that oyster survival was maximized when configurations provided multiple small spaces for baby oysters to grow in with minimal exposure to predators and environmental stress. (Read)
> Boosting MRI image quality and potentially shortening scan times
Max Delbrück Center | Gunjan Sinha. Researchers have developed an antenna that overcomes known clarity issues when imaging certain deep tissues, such as brain regions and delicate structures of the eye and orbit. It can guide radiofrequency fields more efficiently without changing existing MRI machines. (Read) |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with FinanceBuzz |
|
Easily Some Of The Best Credit Cards Of 2026 |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
In 2006, 19-year-old Matt Suter set a world record by surviving being flung 1,307 feet (398 meters) by a tornado and surviving. |
|
|
Behind the Name. In 1440, the printing press sparked a knowledge revolution. We carry that spirit forward, cutting through the noise and algorithm-driven feeds, to bring fact-driven knowledge to everyone.
Want to connect with 4.5 million insatiably curious minds? Become a 1440 partner here. |
|
1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654
Copyright © 2026, 1440 Media, All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
