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How do fireworks work? A pyrotechnics chemist explains the science behind the brilliant colors and sounds
Colors, sparks, booms and whistles all require different pyrotechnic recipes. chensiyuan/WikimediaCommons, CC BY-SA Paul E. Smith, Purdue University…
Thank fungi for cheese, wine and beer this holiday season
These foods are all dependent on microorganisms for their distinctive flavor. margouillat photo/Shutterstock.com Antonis Rokas, Vanderbilt University It’s…
Citizen scientists discover new type of aurora
The aurora Steve. Rémi Farvacque/Alberta Aurora Chasers (facebook) Nathan Case, Lancaster University A collaboration between aurora-hunting citizen scientists…
Do the northern lights make sounds that you can hear?
John A Davis/Shutterstock Fiona Amery, University of Cambridge It’s a question that has puzzled observers for centuries: do…
Are the northern lights caused by ‘particles from the Sun’? Not exactly
PhotoVisions/Shutterstock Alexander MacKinnon, University of Glasgow What a spectacle a big aurora is, its shimmering curtains and colourful…
Polar bears eating reindeer: normal behaviour or result of climate change?
Alexey Seafarer/shutterstock Henry Anderson-Elliott, University of Cambridge Recently, scientists in Hornsund, Svalbard – a Norwegian archipelago in the…
Whether caribou migrate or stay put is determined by genes that evolved in the last ice age
Human activities are affecting the migratory behaviours of some caribou populations. (Mark Bradley/Parks Canada), Author provided Maria Cavedon,…
How is snowfall measured? A meteorologist explains how volunteers tally up winter storms
Strict rules guide the official count for how much solid precipitation fell. Photos by Vesuviante/Moment via Getty Images…
Snowfall in the Sahara desert: an unusual weather phenomenon
Snowfall in the Sahara desert. derdour rachid/Shutterstock Jasper Knight, University of the Witwatersrand Snowfall in a hot desert…
Snow can spread and worsen the effects of pollutants in the environment
Snow’s physical properties mean that it can accumulate chemicals from the environment, including nanoparticles from car exhaust. (Shutterstock)…