In 1618, the very year Isaac Beeckman instructed René Descartes on the principle of inertia, Johannes Kepler achieved one of the most important breakthroughs in the annals of astronomy and physics—his third law of planetary motion. This revelation, albeit revolutionary, went mostly overlooked at the time. Kepler’s third law fundamentally reshaped our comprehension of celestial […]
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Greetings, readers, and welcome to the June edition of the STEM From Scratch Newsletter! In this issue, we explore the intriguing domain of CRISPR and share some thrilling STEM opportunities. CRISPR, an innovative gene-editing tool, has reshaped the field of genetic research. Its accuracy and effectiveness empower scientists to modify DNA sequences and alter gene […]
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**Argentina’s Devastating Drug Contamination Crisis: An In-Depth Examination** Argentina is facing its gravest drug contamination crisis, involving compromised fentanyl that has resulted in numerous fatalities. Officials have verified 69 cases directly associated with the tainted batches, with 51 confirmed deaths. The true death toll could be even greater, as inquiries into nearly 100 related deaths […]
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**Unrecovered Byproducts from US Mines: A New Horizon for Critical Mineral Supply** A pioneering report from the Colorado School of Mines has revealed a promising approach to the United States’ reliance on imported critical minerals and rare earth elements. The study, spearheaded by mining engineer Elizabeth Holley, found that unrecovered byproducts from metal mines nationwide […]
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**The Odyssey of Optics: A Historical Examination** Optics, an essential sector of physics, investigates the behavior, manipulation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation, especially light. This discipline dates back to ancient Greece and has undergone substantial evolution throughout the ages, significantly enhancing our comprehension of light and vision. **Contributions from Ancient Greece** The scientific and mathematical […]
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### Introduction to CRISPR CRISPR is an innovative mechanism that is changing lives and creating significant impact in the healthcare sector. CRISPR, which represents “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats,” is present in prokaryotes—small, unicellular entities devoid of organelles. These sequences exist within the genomes of prokaryotes, which compartmentalize a cell’s DNA in clusters. As […]
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**Queen’s University – Summer of Science 2025** **Program Overview:** This no-cost, virtual program takes place from July to mid-August 2025. It features 12 afternoon sessions that investigate subjects in physics, chemistry, and technology. The sessions are conducted by undergraduate students and researchers from the McDonald Institute and the Carbon to Metal Coating Institute. Participants will […]
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The enthusiasm for degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) within the United States has notably escalated in recent decades, marked by significant rises in student enrollment in these areas. Nevertheless, in spite of this trend, chemistry appears to be diminishing in attractiveness relative to other STEM fields. A recent study conducted by Donna […]
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A comprehensive assessment of six solar panel systems installed in Switzerland over thirty years ago demonstrates that they still function effectively, with the caliber of materials utilized proving to be a key element influencing their durability. Generally, solar panel manufacturers provide warranties for their products ranging from 25 to 30 years, bolstered by accelerated aging […]
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A collaboration between the industry and a non-governmental organization has introduced a tool designed to assist formulators of cleaning agents utilized in electronics assembly manufacturing in replacing hazardous substances with safer, more sustainable options. The market for chemical cleaners and degreasers in electronics is a £1.5 billion global enterprise, but it poses significant risks for […]
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