HS-PS4-4

Evaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.

  1. Health & Medicine

    New study raises questions about cell phone safety

    U.S. government study in rats links cell-phone radiation to a small increase in brain cancers and heart tumors. Some scientists now worry about lifetime risks to today’s children and teens.

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  2. Fossils

    Identifying ancient trees from their amber

    A Swedish teen’s analyses of a sample of amber may have uncovered a previously unknown type of ancient tree.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    Headed to a concert this summer? Pack earplugs

    Wearing earplugs at concerts and other loud events may prevent hearing loss and permanent ear damage, a new study suggests.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Explainer: When loud becomes dangerous

    Many people don’t realize that sounds — even those of the music they love — can prove harmful when they get too loud.

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  5. Tech

    This door handle kills germs

    A high-tech door handle may cut down on disease transmission, say its teen developers. The system is powered by simply opening and closing the door.

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  6. Brain

    Trip to Mars could damage astronauts’ brains

    Experiments in mice suggest the high-energy particles that would zap astronauts on a mission to Mars could leave the explorers with brain damage.

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  7. Tech

    Explainer: What are lidar, radar and sonar?

    Radar, sonar and lidar and are three similar technologies. Each relies on the echoing of waves — radio, sound or light waves — to detect objects.

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  8. Tech

    Laser vision reveals hidden worlds

    From discovering ancient ruins to forecasting climate change, the laser mapping technology called lidar is changing many fields of science.

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  9. Space

    Radio telescope picks up signals from intelligent life

    Astronomers tracked down the source of perytons, mysterious radio bursts. They had at first seemed to emanate from Earth’s atmosphere. Probing now suggests the life forms responsible had a penchant for leftovers.

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  10. Physics

    Student radiation experiment goes to space

    The Exploration Design Challenge asked students to design shields that would protect astronauts from radiation. Teachers can still involve classes in the challenge.

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  11. Physics

    Sending student science to space

    Two teachers describe how they worked with the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program to get middle-school scientists excited about research and space.

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  12. Physics

    Filter lets in only the right light

    Scientists have built a light filter that only permits light coming from one desired angle to pass through. Built from alternating layers of transparent materials, it could help minimize the glare in telescopes and cameras or boost the efficiency of solar cells.

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