Scientists Measure Highest Toughness Ever Recorded in Metallic Alloy
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge National Laboratories have identified a chromium-cobalt-nickel alloy with the highest fracture toughness ever recorded. The material becomes stronger and more ductile at cryogenic…
The Pike Expedition: Executive Overreach and the Mapping of the Southwest
In 1806, President Thomas Jefferson authorized the Pike Expedition to explore the southern reaches of the Louisiana Purchase. This exercise of executive power in the United States led to a…
Australian Researchers Develop Antibiotic-Free Antimicrobial Coating Using Nanopillars
Researchers in Australia have developed a new antimicrobial coating that uses microscopic "nanopillars" to physically destroy bacteria. This material, inspired by the wings of insects, offers a way to prevent…
The Price of a Seat: The 1899 Montana Legislative Bribery Scandal
In 1899, the Montana state legislature became the center of a national scandal when copper tycoon William A. Clark allegedly bribed lawmakers to secure a seat in the United States…
University of Washington Researchers Develop ProteinMPNN to Revolutionize Synthetic Biology
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed ProteinMPNN, an artificial intelligence tool that solves the 'inverse folding problem' in protein design. This breakthrough allows for the rapid creation of…
The End of the Party Ticket: Michigan’s 1891 Adoption of the Secret Ballot
In 1891, Michigan adopted the Australian ballot system, replacing the corrupt party-ticket method with state-printed secret ballots. This reform significantly reduced voter intimidation and the power of political machines in…
International AI Collaboration Identifies New Class of Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Bacteria
Researchers have utilized explainable deep learning to discover a new class of antibiotics capable of killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This breakthrough marks one of the first times AI has…
The Battle for the Bench: Arizona’s Fight for Judicial Recall and Statehood
In 1911, Arizona's bid for United States statehood was delayed when President William Howard Taft vetoed the state's constitution over a provision allowing for the recall of judges. After removing…
Meteoritic Tetrataenite Discovery Offers Path to Rare-Earth Free Magnets
Researchers studying the Saint-Séverin meteorite have identified tetrataenite, a rare iron-nickel alloy that could replace rare-earth elements in high-performance magnets. The discovery reveals that phosphorus acts as a catalyst, allowing…