Science

  1. The most exhilarating and the scariest thing about building new models to solve problems in theoretical physics is trying not to "break" what we already know in the process, thus rendering our theories useless. One must study not just how a given solution to the cosmic acceleration problem explains cosmic acceleration, but also what it does to the rest of the universe in the process.

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  2. "Some asteroids may die before ever reaching the sun."

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  3. I found this article about why we'll probably never be able to escape earth in a fleet of chrome-y, salvific starships to be beautifully written and surprisingly moving! Won't you join me in the reading of it?

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  4. So, what does it take to raise a truly gigantic pumpkin?

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  5. In an unprecedented move, NASA scientists today announced the ultimate success of their attempts at alchemy and the transmutation of base metals into gold.

    "Our profound powers have been distilled through generations into a chemistry of the subtlest kind," project head Dr. Jim Green announced through a wreath of smoke and potent vapors, enfragranced with the most mysterious and ancient of spices from as far as the kingdom of Prester John.

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  6. Recent studies suggest the water in California, there's plenty of it, and you shouldn't worry so much. Where's all the water? Just look at it. There's some right here, and also just behind you, from before, when you turned around and you weren't looking, but it was there. The water's plenty of it.

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  7. This very nice scientist Nicole knows wanted to help put Deathquakenami in perspective. She mostly just made it worse. Also, Nicole wants to get even more mileage out of that Space Needle image she created.

    This post is generously sponsored by Elliot Norwood, to whom Deathquakenami presents a clear and present danger.

    Everything on Earth is always moving: air currents move across the surface and up and down and in

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  8. Recent studies suggest that it's very important that you come into this room right over here just now. Studies also suggest that it's equally important you do not waste time asking questions like "what room" and "why" and "why is this so important to you," but just step this way through the door very quickly and by yourself, immediately. The studies were conducted, and the evidence is conclusive: this room just over here is where…

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  9. This post is generously sponsored by Randi Ellias. Last summer, I didn’t wear deodorant for three months straight (note: I was in Paris, and as a California girl, the Parisian summer might as well be winter to me). Before you stop reading and dismiss me as the most disgusting gal scientist to ever exist, hear me out! My fellow scientists and I were curious about what our body odor is, how it works, and why…

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  10. As The Toast searches for its one true Gal Scientist, we will be running a ton of wonderful one-off pieces by female scientists of all shapes and sizes and fields and education levels, which we are sure you will enjoy. They’ll live here, so you can always find them. 

    Ladies, we are the weaker sex. At least that’s the message we’re getting from corporate America: we have tiny lady hands requiring

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  11. As The Toast searches for its one true Gal Scientist, we will be running a ton of wonderful one-off pieces by female scientists of all shapes and sizes and fields and education levels, which we are sure you will enjoy. They’ll live here, so you can always find them. 

    First, my disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Yes, I study bones and exercise, and I do act like a know-it-all, but

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  12. As The Toast searches for its one true Gal Scientist, we will be running a ton of wonderful one-off pieces by female scientists of all shapes and sizes and fields and education levels, which we are sure you will enjoy. They’ll live here, so you can always find them. 

    Last year, in response to this (really badly written) article and its title (Earth’s Water May Be Older

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  13. Wait, what ants???

    Yes! I am currently employed as a research assistant in a lab with three captive colonies of leaf-cutter ants (Atta cephalotes.) These ants come from South and Central American countries and have complex social structures, which I’ll discuss later.

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  14. I’m going to talk about pee. Your dirty, drug-laden pee, specifically.

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  15. Helen Craig's previous work for The Toast can be found here.

    There’s a post going round Facebook that you might have seen. On one side, there’s a group of people, mostly male, many long dead. Kim Kardashian stands to their right. The caption reads: “If you don’t know who these people are, but you know who this is? Congratulations. You’re what’s wrong with the world.”

    I have never had

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