Author: Josh

  • Science: Seeing individual atoms

    Synchrotron X-ray Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (SX-STM) is a fascinating and advanced scientific technique that brings together two powerful methods—scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and synchrotron-generated X-rays—to explore the atomic and electronic landscapes of materials. By combining these methods, scientists can not only see individual atoms on a surface but also understand their chemical makeup and electronic…

  • Science: Polyergus Ants

    Deep within the lush, damp undergrowth of a temperate forest, a hidden drama unfolds every season—a tale of survival, cunning, and the art of social manipulation among one of nature’s most intriguing ant species: the Polyergus. Known to some as the “Amazon ants,” these formidable insects lead lives that are as ruthless as they are…

  • USA: Gabbard and DNI

    The establishment of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) marked a watershed moment in American history, emerging directly from the painful lessons learned in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The U.S. government recognized that the intelligence community had been operating in silos, which hampered its ability to effectively prevent future tragedies.…

  • Health: Viruses

    Viruses have developed an astonishing array of strategies to evade immune detection and response, allowing them to persist, replicate, and spread within their hosts. These mechanisms are highly sophisticated and have evolved over millions of years, reflecting the dynamic evolutionary arms race between pathogens and the immune system. Understanding these tactics not only sheds light…

  • Health: Tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis (TB) has long been one of humanity’s most formidable infectious diseases, persisting throughout history despite medical advancements. Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs, including the brain, kidneys, and spine. While often associated with the past—particularly the 19th and early 20th centuries—TB remains a…

  • USA: California’s Dams

    President Donald Trump’s recent move to order the opening of two dams in California—specifically Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success—has sparked a considerable debate among policymakers, environmentalists, local officials, and water management experts. This directive, coming in the midst of ongoing concerns over wildfires and water shortages in the state,…

  • USA: EU Tariffs?

    The recent announcement by President Trump regarding tariffs on the European Union marks not merely a shift in trade policy, but a pivotal moment with far-reaching economic, political, and social ramifications. This development, framed under the “America First” doctrine, is set to reshape global trade dynamics and create a cascade of consequences that extend well…

  • Philosophy: Punishment

    Punishment is a cornerstone of societal order—a tool wielded by parents, legal institutions, and even international organizations to manage behavior, enforce norms, and, ideally, restore balance in the aftermath of wrongdoing. However, its very nature is steeped in contradictions and philosophical dilemmas that have provoked debate across centuries. This exploration seeks to unspool the tangled…

  • Facts about: Chickens

    Chickens have an extraordinary history that spans millennia and encompasses a diverse range of roles in human society, agriculture, science, and even mythology. Their origins can be traced back over 8,000 years to the dense jungles of South and Southeast Asia, where the red junglefowl, their wild ancestor, roamed freely. Early humans were captivated by…

  • Politics: By Executive Order: No one in the USA is male nor female

    https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government The definitions provided for “female” and “male”— (d) “Female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell,(e) “Male” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell— are fundamentally flawed and, when analyzed critically, reveal that no one would qualify as…