Research Magazine

Antimicrobial soap and biocides of many types were created to keep us safe. But are these substances more dangerous than the germs they were designed to protect us from? --by Adelheid Fischer

Nobody likes having the rug pulled out from under them. But it can be a good experience for a scientist. Setbacks lead to new questions, which ultimately produce new answers. --by Nicholas Gerbis

A kilometer-deep sample of rock from Australia tells scientists about the atmosphere billions of years ago. But how do they know how old the rock really is? --by Diane Boudreau

Glass is much more than the stuff of windows and mirrors. The scientific term "glass" refers to substances that cool and become rigid without taking on a crystalline structure. The nature of glass is still a mystery to chemists. Glassy water is the biggest enigma of all. --by Nicholas Gerbis

An international research team has discovered traces of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere about 50 million years before expected. The results came as a surprise to the scientific community. --by Diane Boudreau

The prevailing wisdom in artificial intelligence is that humans learn by storing a system of rules. But you won't learn to play tennis by sitting in a room reading about the sport. Asim Roy says there is a profound truth to the saying that "practice makes perfect." --by Carrie Barnett

How many products contain nanoparticles? More than you might realize. Nanomaterials are present in everthing from bicycle parts to vitamin supplements. --by Melissa Crytzer Fry

Electric utilities are in the business of selling electrons. But these days they are promoting conservation and asking customers not to buy as much of their product. Is going Green purely an altruistic move? Actually, it's also good business strategy. --by Carrie Barnett

Clarinetist Robert Spring is quick to dispel the myth that musicians are born into their talent. During one of his early auditions the instructor actually stopped him and said, "Boy, you're not very good." But Spring was determined. Today he is an endowed professor of music who has performed on six continents. His audiences respond as if they are watching a rock star. --by Sheilah Britton